Article
Behavioral Sciences
Ana Bagues, Rocio Giron, Raquel Abalo, Carlos Goicoechea, Maria Isabel Martin-Fontelles, Eva Maria Sanchez-Robles
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the effects of short-lasting stress on nociception, morphine antinociception, and constipation in rats. The results showed that stress did not alter nociception but reduced the effect of morphine in orofacial tests and the inflammatory phase of the formalin tests. Naloxone antagonized the effect of stress and normalized the effect of morphine. Stress did not modify the constipation induced by morphine.
BEHAVIOURAL BRAIN RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Joanna Listos, Piotr Listos, Irena Baranowska-Bosiacka, Agata Karpiuk, Joanna Filarowska, Malgorzata Lupina, Tymoteusz Slowik, Sylwia Zawislak, Jolanta Kotlinska
Summary: This study demonstrates the involvement of GLP-1 receptors in morphine dependence, and suggests that linagliptin may be a valuable drug in attenuating both the physical symptoms and emotional disturbances associated with morphine withdrawal.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Joanna Kowalczyk, Modestos Nakos-Bimpos, Alexia Polissidis, Christina Dalla, Nikolaos Kokras, Krystyna Skalicka-Wozniak, Barbara Budzynska
Summary: The study aimed to investigate the sex-dependent effects of imperatorin on antidepressant effects. The results showed that only males responded to imperatorin treatment and exhibited antidepressant effects, while serotonin levels in the prefrontal cortex of females decreased. This suggests that imperatorin may have antidepressant potential, but only in males.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Qianhan Ma, Susan Wonnacott, Sarah J. Bailey, Christopher P. Bailey
Summary: Kappa opioid receptors (KOPr) play a role in the response to stress, and are associated with the treatment of stress-related psychiatric disorders. This study found that there are sex differences in the activation of brain regions in male and female mice following an acute stressor or a KOPr agonist. These differences may contribute to sex differences in stress-related psychiatric disorders and the treatment of depression, anxiety, and addiction.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Christiane Brandwein, Cathalijn H. C. Leenaars, Laura Becker, Natascha Pfeiffer, Ana -Maria Iorgu, Melissa Hahn, Gaia A. Vairani, Lars Lewejohann, Andre Bleich, Anne S. Mallien, Peter Gass
Summary: This systematic mapping review provides a comprehensive overview of the evolution and commonly used set-ups of the Porsolt Forced Swim Test in rats. By offering detailed technical aspects and a list of existing publications, it enhances the reproducibility and comparability of this experiment, aiming to reduce animal usage and unnecessary replication.
PHARMACOLOGICAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Mohammed H. Elkomy, Fatma I. Abo El-Ela, Randa Mohammed Zaki, Omar A. Alsaidan, Mohammed Elmowafy, Ameeduzzafar Zafar, Khaled Shalaby, Mohamed A. Abdelgawad, Hany A. Omar, Rania Salama, Hussein M. Eid
Summary: This study developed and optimized a drug-loaded thermosensitive gel for intranasal administration to combat depression. The results demonstrated that compared to other formulations, this thermosensitive gel significantly improved behavioral performance and alleviated neural tissue changes in depressed rats. Further research is needed to determine its effectiveness in humans.
Article
Neurosciences
Josh Allen, Raquel Romay-Tallon, Milann A. Mitchell, Kyle J. Brymer, Jenessa Johnston, Carla L. Sanchez-Lafuente, Graziano Pinna, Lisa E. Kalynchuk, Hector J. Caruncho
Summary: Chronic stress is a significant risk factor for depression. Reelin protein can rapidly restore depressive-like behavior and neurochemical abnormalities induced by chronic stress through intravenous injections.
Article
Neurosciences
Ariel T. Amgott-Kwan, James E. Zadina
Summary: Currently available mu-opioid receptor agonist pharmacotherapies for opioid use disorder have limited use due to adverse effects and high rates of relapse. However, a study found that the endomorphin analog ZH853 showed no abuse liability in rodent models and could potentially be used for managing opioid use disorder. The study demonstrated that ZH853 did not induce locomotor activation in male and female mice and was not self-administered by female rats. It also showed that ZH853 had lower abuse liability compared to morphine and could extinguish opioid-seeking behavior in male rats. Overall, these findings suggest the potential use of ZH853 as a safer opioid medication for long-term treatment of pain and opioid use disorder.
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Emily R. Trunnell, Constanca Carvalho
Summary: Despite the prevalence of treatment-resistant depression, many pharmaceutical companies have abandoned the development of new antidepressants due to low quality preclinical tests, such as over-reliance on animal behavioral screens like the forced swim test (FST). A retrospective review found that out of 109 compounds tested in the FST, only 28% were explored for antidepressant effects in humans, and only three showed potential efficacy, but are not approved for treating depression. This suggests that the FST may not be a useful screening tool for identifying novel antidepressants.
DRUG DISCOVERY TODAY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Pablo Berrios-Carcamo, Mauricio Quezada, Daniela Santapau, Paola Morales, Belen Olivares, Carolina Ponce, Alba avila, Cristian De Gregorio, Marcelo Ezquer, Maria Elena Quintanilla, Mario Herrera-Marschitz, Yedy Israel, Fernando Ezquer
Summary: The study establishes a voluntary oral morphine consumption animal model by training rats to accept a bitter taste preference, which can be used to evaluate therapeutic interventions for the treatment of morphine dependence.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
A. G. Sartim, J. Marques, K. M. Silveira, P. H. Gobira, F. S. Guimaraes, G. Wegener, S. R. Joca
Summary: The study found that CBD can exhibit antidepressant effects without causing hyperactivity, and it can also inhibit the psychostimulant effects induced by ketamine. The combined administration of CBD and ketamine may be a promising therapeutic strategy for achieving antidepressant effects while reducing unwanted side effects.
Review
Neurosciences
Marc L. Molendijk, E. Ronald de Kloet
Summary: The immobility response in the forced swim test is not considered a rodent model of depression, but it can predict a compound's antidepressant potential to some extent. Despite some papers labeling immobility as depression-like behavior, the perspective on this issue varies among different countries.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Mareli Roets, Linda Brand, Stephan F. Steyn
Summary: During the peripartum period, women are at an increased risk of developing perinatal distress. Animal studies have shown that pregnancy can alter the bio-behavioural profile of rats, and postpartum stressors can exacerbate these effects. These findings suggest that pregnancy influences postpartum behaviour in a strain-dependent manner.
BEHAVIOURAL BRAIN RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Kyle J. Brymer, Erin Y. Kulhaway, John G. Howland, Hector J. Caruncho, Lisa E. Kalynchuk
Summary: Repeated corticosterone injections in rats lead to cognitive deficits and depression-like behavior, highlighting the importance of considering cognitive impairments in assessing depression. Corticosterone significantly affects body weight, immobility in the forced swim test, startle amplitudes, and object recognition memory, suggesting a complex phenotype induced by chronic stress.
BEHAVIOURAL BRAIN RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Ismail Badshah, Maira Anwar, Babar Murtaza, Muhammad Imran Khan
Summary: Drug addiction is a devastating condition that burdens society. The use of drugs like morphine for their analgesic properties often leads to tolerance, dependence, and withdrawal symptoms. This study focuses on exploring the molecular mechanisms and signaling involved in morphine tolerance and dependence, evaluating current therapeutic approaches, and discussing future prospects.
MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR BIOCHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Rebecca S. Hofford, Mark A. Prendergast, Michael T. Bard
BEHAVIOURAL BRAIN RESEARCH
(2015)
Article
Psychology, Biological
Virginia G. Weiss, Rebecca S. Hofford, Justin R. Yates, Faith C. Jennings, Michael T. Bardo
EXPERIMENTAL AND CLINICAL PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2015)
Article
Substance Abuse
Rebecca S. Hofford, Joshua S. Beckmann, Michael T. Bardo
DRUG AND ALCOHOL DEPENDENCE
(2016)
Article
Neurosciences
Rebecca S. Hofford, Jonathan J. Chow, Joshua S. Beckmann, Michael T. Bardo
PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2017)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Rebecca S. Hofford, Mark A. Prendergast, Michael T. Bardo
BEHAVIOURAL BRAIN RESEARCH
(2018)
Article
Substance Abuse
M. L. Shawn Bates, Rebeca S. Hofford, Michael A. Emery, Paul J. Wellman, Shoshana Eitan
DRUG AND ALCOHOL DEPENDENCE
(2018)
Article
Neurosciences
Aaron P. Smith, Rebecca S. Hofford, Thomas R. Zentall, Joshua S. Beckmann
PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2018)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Shannon L. Cole, Rebecca S. Hofford, Daniel J. Evert, Paul J. Wellman, Shoshana Eitan
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Rebecca S. Hofford, Mahesh Darna, Carrie E. Wilmouth, Linda P. Dwoskin, Michael T. Bardo
BEHAVIOURAL BRAIN RESEARCH
(2014)
Article
Substance Abuse
J. William Barwatt, Rebecca S. Hofford, Michael A. Emery, M. L. Shawn Bates, Paul J. Wellman, Shoshana Eitan
DRUG AND ALCOHOL DEPENDENCE
(2013)
Article
Neurosciences
Rebecca S. Hofford, Scott J. Russo, Drew D. Kiraly
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2019)
Article
Neurosciences
Munir Gunes Kutlu, Lillian J. Brady, Emily G. Peck, Rebecca S. Hofford, Jordan T. Yorgason, Cody A. Siciliano, Drew D. Kiraly, Erin S. Calipari
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2018)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lillian J. Brady, Rebecca S. Hofford, Jennifer Tat, Erin S. Calipari, Drew D. Kiraly
ACS CHEMICAL NEUROSCIENCE
(2019)
Article
Substance Abuse
Lindsey R. Hammerslag, Rebecca S. Hofford, Qiwen Kang, Richard J. Kryscio, Joshua S. Beclunann, Michael T. Bardo
DRUG AND ALCOHOL DEPENDENCE
(2020)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Nicholas L. Mervosh, Rashaun Wilson, Navin Rauniyar, Rebecca S. Hofford, Munir Gunes Kutlu, Erin S. Calipari, TuKiet T. Lam, Drew D. Kiraly
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Yuwen Zhu, Yan Guo, Yujia Xue, Anqi Zhou, Ying Chen, Yifei Chen, Xiulian Miao, Fangqiao Lv
Summary: BRG1 plays an important role in HSC-myofibroblast transition and targeting it could be a reasonable strategy for liver fibrosis intervention.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Liu Ye, Beibei Liu, Jingling Huang, Xiaolin Zhao, Yuan Wang, Yungen Xu, Shuping Wang
Summary: Doublecortin-like kinase 1 (DCLK1) is a significant prooncogenic factor that is strongly associated with the malignant progression and clinical prognosis of various cancers. DCLK1 plays important roles in stem cell marker regulation, tumor cell reprogramming, and immune evasion. However, the exact biological functions of DCLK1, especially the disparities between its alpha- and beta-form transcripts in cancer progression, remain ambiguous.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Jiahui Yang, Xiaoyu Chen, Tianjing Liu, Yongyan Shi
Summary: This article reviews the role of bile acids in necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and their potential therapeutic value. The dysregulation of bile acids is associated with intestinal injury, and inflammatory factors in the liver also play a crucial role in regulating bile acid transport. The bile acid metabolic pathway is important for regulating intestinal microbiota, cell proliferation, and barrier protection.
Review
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Zhenzheng Zhu, Yuemiao Xu, Yuwei Xia, Xinru Jia, Yixin Chen, Yuyue Liu, Leyin Zhang, Hui Chai, Leitao Sun
Summary: Bile acid, as the final product of cholesterol breakdown, plays a complex regulatory and signaling role in human metabolism. Research suggests that it has the potential to enhance metabolism and regulate chronic metabolic diseases through various pathways. The interaction between bile acid and gut microbiota is also of great significance.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Xin He, Hong-Xu Zhou, Xian Fu, Kai-Di Ni, Ai-Zhi Lin, Ling-Tong Zhang, Hou-Hua Yin, Qing Jiang, Xue Zhou, Yi-Wen Meng, Jun-Yan Liu
Summary: DON exposure causes an increase in deoxycholic acid (DCA), which contributes to intestinal injury. DCA may be a potential therapeutic target for DON enterotoxicity.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Zhitao Wang, Heng Ma, Abdul Nasir, Sufang Liu, Zhisong Li, Feng Tao, Qian Bai
Summary: This study reveals the involvement of TET1-mediated epigenetic regulation in chronic TMJ pain through trigeminal TNF alpha signaling.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Lu Yu, Hao Ran, Yaru Lu, Qian Ma, Huan Huang, Weibin Liu
Summary: This study found that the HIF-1 alpha inhibitor BAY 87-2243 can alleviate the symptoms of the Experimental Autoimmune Myasthenia Gravis (EAMG) inflammation model. BAY 87-2243 can restore the balance of CD4(+)T cell subsets, reduce the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and act as both an immune imbalance regulator and anti-inflammatory.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Alex Peralvarez-Marin, Montse Sole, Judith Serrano, Alice Taddeucci, Belen Perez, Clara Penas, Gemma Manich, Marcel Jimenez, Pilar D'Ocon, Francesc Jimenez-Altayo
Summary: This study provides the first evidence that TRPV2 channels may modulate vascular tone by balancing opposing inputs from the endothelium and smooth muscle, leading to net vasodilation. The amplification of TRPV2 channel-induced activity by NO emphasizes the pathophysiological relevance of these findings.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Amin Ullah, Jing Zhao, Jiakun Li, Rajeev K. Singla, Bairong Shen
Summary: Gastric cancer is the fifth-most prevalent and second-most deadly cancer worldwide. Late onset of symptoms makes early detection important. CXC chemokines play an important role in the pathological process of gastric cancer, but their exact role in diagnosis and prognosis is not fully understood. Inhibiting CXC chemokines shows promise as a targeted therapy.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Menna S. Zeyada, Salma M. Eraky, Mamdouh M. El-Shishtawy
Summary: The current study demonstrates the prophylactic and antifibrotic effects of Trig against BLM-induced PF by targeting multiple signaling pathways. The combination of Trig and Pirf may be a promising approach to enhance Pirf's anti-fibrotic effect.