Differential temporal decline of cerebral oxytocin and μ-opioid receptor density during the aging process in mice.

Aging is often associated with changes in social, sexual, emotional and pain functioning, as well as with the increased prevalence of certain psychopathologies. However, the neurodevelopmental basis underpinning these age-related changes remains to be determined. Considering the key roles of oxytocin (OTR) and μ-opioid (MOPr) receptor systems in regulating social, sexual, pain, reward and emotional processing, it seems plausible that they are also implicated in age-related behavioural alterations.

Toxicological assessment of E-cigarette flavored E-liquids aerosols using Calu-3 cells: A 3D lung model approach.

Scientific progress and ethical considerations are increasingly shifting the toxicological focus from in vivo animal models to in vitro studies utilizing physiologically relevant cell cultures. Consequently, we evaluated and validated a three-dimensional (3D) model of the human lung using Calu-3 cells cultured at an air-liquid interface (ALI) for 28 days. Assessment of seven essential genes of differentiation and transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) measurements, in conjunction with mucin (MUC5AC) staining, validated the model.

In Vitro high-throughput toxicological assessment of E-cigarette flavors on human bronchial epithelial cells and the potential involvement of TRPA1 in cinnamon flavor-induced toxicity.

Electronic cigarettes (ECs) are considered a less hazardous alternative to tobacco smoking but are not harmless. Growing concerns about the safety profiles of flavors in e-liquids underpin the need for this study. Here, we screened 53 nicotine-free flavored e-liquids (across 15 flavor categories) across a 3-point concentration range (0.

Pulmonary effects of e-liquid flavors: a systematic review.

Electronic cigarettes (ECs) are purported to be tobacco harm-reduction products whose degree of harm has been highly debated. EC use is considered less hazardous than smoking but is not expected to be harmless. Following the banning of e-liquid flavors in countries such as the US, Finland, Ukraine, and Hungary, there are growing concerns regarding the safety profile of e-liquid flavors used in ECs.

Dynamic Changes in the Endocannabinoid System during the Aging Process: Focus on the Middle-Age Crisis.

Endocannabinoid (eCB) signaling is markedly decreased in the hippocampus (Hip) of aged mice, and the genetic deletion of the cannabinoid receptor type 1 (CB1) leads to an early onset of cognitive decline and age-related histological changes in the brain. Thus, it is hypothesized that cognitive aging is modulated by eCB signaling through CB1. In the present study, we detailed the changes in the eCB system during the aging process using different complementary techniques in mouse brains of five different age groups, ranging from adolescence to old age.

Sex-dependent impact of microbiota status on cerebral μ-opioid receptor density in fischer rats.

μ-opioid receptors (MOPr) play a critical role in social play, reward and pain, in a sex- and age-dependent manner. There is evidence to suggest that sex and age differences in brain MOPr density may be responsible for this variability; however, little is known about the factors driving these differences in cerebral MOPr density. Emerging evidence highlights gut microbiota's critical influence and its bidirectional interaction with the brain on neurodevelopment.

HA-MOP knockin mice express the canonical µ-opioid receptor but lack detectable splice variants.

G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are notoriously difficult to detect in native tissues. In an effort to resolve this problem, we have developed a novel mouse model by fusing the hemagglutinin (HA)-epitope tag sequence to the amino-terminus of the µ-opioid receptor (MOP). Although HA-MOP knock-in mice exhibit reduced receptor expression, we found that this approach allowed for highly efficient immunodetection of low abundant GPCR targets.

Region-specific sex modulation of central oxytocin receptor by gut microbiota: An ontogenic study.

Oxytocin (OT) is a developmentally important neuropeptide recognized to play a dominant role in social functioning and stress-related behaviors, in a sex-dependent manner. Nonetheless, the underlining factors driving OT and OT receptor (OTR) early brain development remain unclear. Recent evidence highlight the critical influence of gut microbiota and its bidirectional interaction with the brain on neurodevelopment via the gut microbiota-brain axis.