Parental Social Isolation during Adolescence Alters Gut Microbiome in Rat Male Offspring.

Previous work from our laboratory demonstrated that parental stress, induced by social isolation starting at puberty, leads to behavioral, endocrine, and biochemical changes in the male, but not female, offspring (ISO-O) of Sprague-Dawley rats. Here, we report alterations in the gut microbiota composition of ISO-O vs. grouped-housed offspring (GH-O), although all animals received the same diet and were housed in the same conditions.

Chronic treatment with hormonal contraceptives alters hippocampal BDNF and histone H3 post-translational modifications but not learning and memory in female rats.

Hormonal contraceptives prevent ovulation with subsequent reduction in endogenous levels of estradiol, progesterone and its neuroactive metabolite allopregnanolone. These neurosteroids modulate several brain functions, including neuronal plasticity, cognition and memory. We hypothesized that hormonal contraceptives might affect synaptic plasticity, learning and memory, as a consequence of suppressed endogenous hormones levels.

Increased Voluntary Alcohol Consumption in Mice Lacking GABA Is Associated With Functional Changes in Hippocampal GABA Receptors.

Gamma-aminobutyric acid type B receptor (GABAR) has been extensively involved in alcohol use disorders; however, the mechanisms by which this receptor modulates alcohol drinking behavior remain murky. In this study, we investigate alcohol consumption and preference in mice lacking functional GABAR using the 2-bottle choice paradigm. We found that GABA, knockout (KO), and heterozygous (HZ) mice drank higher amounts of an alcoholic solution, preferred alcohol to water, and reached higher blood alcohol concentrations (BACs) compared to wild-type (WT) littermates.

Are preconceptional stressful experiences crucial elements for the aetiology of autism spectrum disorder? Insights from an animal model.

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are a group of neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by changes in social interactions, impaired language and communication, fear responses and presence of repetitive behaviours. Although the genetic bases of ASD are well documented, the recent increase in clinical cases of idiopathic ASD indicates that several environmental risk factors could play a role in ASD aetiology. Among these, maternal exposure to psychosocial stressors during pregnancy has been hypothesized to affect the risk for ASD in offspring.

Differential modulation of GABA(A) receptor function by aryl pyrazoles.

Several aryl pyrazoles characterized by a different molecular structure (flexible vs constrained), but chemically related to rimonabant and AM251, were tested for their ability to modulate the function of recombinant α1β2γ2L GABAA receptors expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes. The effects of 6Bio-R, 14Bio-R, NESS 0327, GP1a and GP2a (0.3-30 μM) were evaluated using a two-electrode voltage-clamp technique.

Effects of voluntary ethanol consumption on emotional state and stress responsiveness in socially isolated rats.

Social isolation of rats immediately after weaning is thought to represent an animal model of anxiety-like disorders. This mildly stressful condition reduces the cerebrocortical and plasma concentrations of 3α-hydroxy-5α-pregnan-20-one (3α,5α-TH PROG) as well as increases the sensitivity of rats to the effects of acute ethanol administration on the concentrations of this neuroactive steroid. We further investigated the effects of voluntary consumption of ethanol at concentrations increasing from 2.

Enhanced expression of the neuronal K+/Cl- cotransporter, KCC2, in spontaneously depressed Flinders Sensitive Line rats.

We used Flinder Sensitive Line (FSL) rats, a genetic model of unipolar depression, to examine whether changes in central GABAergic transmission are associated with a depressed phenotype. FSL rats showed an increased behavioral response to low doses of diazepam, as compared to either Sprague Dawley (SD) or Flinder Resistant Line (FRL) rats used as controls. Diazepam at a dose of 0.

Changes in expression and function of extrasynaptic GABAA receptors in the rat hippocampus during pregnancy and after delivery.

Pregnancy is associated with changes in mood and anxiety level as well as with marked hormonal fluctuations. Increases in the brain concentrations of neuroactive steroids during pregnancy in rats are accompanied by changes in expression of subunits of the GABA type A receptor (GABA(A)-R) in the brain. Granule cells of the dentate gyrus (DGGCs) exhibit two components of inhibitory GABAergic transmission: a phasic component mediated by synaptic GABA(A)-Rs, and a tonic component mediated by extrasynaptic GABA(A)-Rs.

Neuroactive steroids and GABAA receptor plasticity in the brain of the WAG/Rij rat, a model of absence epilepsy.

The role of neuroactive steroids and GABA(A) receptors in the generation of spontaneous spike-and-wave discharges (SWDs) was investigated in the WAG/Rij rat model of absence epilepsy. The plasma, cerebrocortical, and thalamic concentrations of the progesterone metabolite 3alpha-hydroxy-5alpha-pregnan-20-one (3alpha,5alpha-TH PROG) were increased in the WAG/Rij rat at 2 months of age compared with those in control (Wistar) rats. In contrast, the brain and peripheral levels of 3alpha,5alpha-tetrahydrodeoxycorticosterone (3alpha,5alpha-TH DOC) did not differ between the two rat strains at this age.

Synthesis and structure-activity relationship studies in peripheral benzodiazepine receptor ligands related to alpidem.

The exploration of the structure-affinity relationships concerning a new class of peripheral benzodiazepine receptor (PBR) ligands related to alpidem has been pursued in order to evaluate the consistency of the structure-affinity relationships among different classes (and subclasses) of PBR ligands. The target amide derivatives were prepared following a previously published procedure based on the condensation of pyrrolo[3,4-b]quinoline derivatives 11a,b with glyoxylic acid mono-hydrate and the subsequent amidation of the acids obtained via mixed anhydride. On the other hand, the preparation of compound 9g lacking the pharmacophoric (delta1) carbonyl group involved: (a) the double sequential attack of the dimethylmethyleneammonium salt obtained from bis(dimethylamino)methane and acetyl chloride to pyrrolo[3,4-b]quinoline derivative 11b, (b) the quaternization of the obtained allylamine derivative 13 with methyl iodide, and (c) the palladium-catalyzed allylation of N-methyl-p-anisidine by quaternary allylammonium cation 14.

Thiocolchicoside inhibits the activity of various subtypes of recombinant GABA(A) receptors expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes.

Thiocolchicoside is a myorelaxant drug with anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties as well as pronounced convulsant activity. To characterize the mechanisms of action of this drug at the molecular level, we examined its effects on the function of various recombinant neurotransmitter receptors expressed in Xenopus oocytes. Electrophysiological recordings from recombinant human gamma-aminobutyric acid type A (GABA(A)) receptors consisting of alpha1beta1gamma2L, alpha1beta2gamma2L, or alpha2beta2gamma2L subunit combinations revealed that thiocolchicoside inhibited GABA-evoked Cl(-) currents with similar potencies (median inhibitory concentrations of 0.

Anticipation and consumption of food each increase the concentration of neuroactive steroids in rat brain and plasma.

Stressful stimuli and anxiogenic drugs increase the plasma and brain concentrations of neuroactive steroids. Moreover, in rats trained to consume their daily meal during a fixed period, the anticipation of food is associated with changes in the function of various neurotransmitter systems. We have now evaluated the effects of anticipation and consumption of food in such trained rats on the plasma and brain concentrations of 3alpha-hydroxy-5alpha-pregnan-20-one (3alpha,5alpha-TH PROG) and 3alpha,21-dihydroxy-5alpha-pregnan-20-one (3alpha,5alpha-TH DOC), two potent endogenous positive modulators of type A receptors for gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA).

Changes in expression of the delta subunit of the GABA (A) receptor and in receptor function induced by progesterone exposure and withdrawal.

Type A receptors for GABA (GABA(A) receptors) that contain the delta subunit are located predominantly at extrasynaptic sites and are implicated in modulation of neuronal excitability through tonic inhibition. We have examined the effects of chronic exposure to and subsequent withdrawal of progesterone or the progesterone metabolite 3alpha-hydroxy-5alpha-pregnan-20-one (3alpha,5alpha-THPROG) on expression of the delta subunit of GABA(A) receptors and on receptor function in cultured rat hippocampal neurons. Progesterone treatment for 1 day increased the amounts of both delta subunit mRNA and protein, whereas such treatment for 6 days induced marked decreases in the abundance of both the mRNA and protein.

Social isolation-induced increase in alpha and delta subunit gene expression is associated with a greater efficacy of ethanol on steroidogenesis and GABA receptor function.

Previously we have demonstrated that social isolation of rats reduces both the cerebrocortical and plasma concentrations of 3alpha-hydroxy-5alpha-pregnan-20-one (3alpha,5alpha-TH PROG), and potentiates the positive effects of acute ethanol administration on the concentrations of this neurosteroid. We now show that the ethanol-induced increase in 3alpha,5alpha-TH PROG is more pronounced in the brain than in the plasma of isolated rats. The ability of ethanol to inhibit isoniazid-induced convulsions is greater in isolated rats than in group-housed animals and this effect is prevented by treatment with finasteride.

Low tolerance and dependence liabilities of etizolam: molecular, functional, and pharmacological correlates.

The effects of prolonged exposure to and subsequent withdrawal of the thienotriazolobenzodiazepine etizolam on gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) type A receptor gene expression and function were compared with those of the benzodiazepine lorazepam. Exposure of rat hippocampal neurons in culture to 10 microM etizolam for 5 days reduced the amounts of alpha5 and gamma2S receptor subunit mRNAs, whereas etizolam withdrawal was associated with a persistent reduction in gamma2S mRNA and an increase in alpha2 and alpha3 mRNAs. Neither chronic exposure to nor withdrawal of etizolam affected the acute modulatory effects of etizolam or lorazepam on GABA-evoked Cl- current.

Ethyl 2-(4-bromophenyl)-1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-1H-4-imidazolecarboxylate is a novel positive modulator of GABAA receptors.

Ethyl 2-(4-bromophenyl)-1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-1H-4-imidazolecarboxylate (TG41) enhanced the binding both of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and of flunitrazepam to rat cerebral cortical membranes. Electrophysiological recordings from Xenopus oocytes expressing various recombinant GABA(A) receptor subtypes revealed that TG41 enhanced the function of all receptor subunit combinations tested. The potency of TG41 at receptors containing alpha1, beta2, and gamma2L subunits was greater than that of alphaxalone, etomidate, propofol, or pentobarbital.

Novel anellated pyrazoloquinolin-3-ones: synthesis and in vitro BZR activity.

A series of pyrazolo[4,3-c]pyrrolo[3,2-f]quinolin-3-one derivatives 6, 7a-c, 8a,b, 9a,b and 10-12 were synthesized as modified pyrazoloquinolinone analogs (PQs) and evaluated for their ability to inhibit radioligand to central and peripheral benzodiazepine receptors (BZRs) and their effect on GABA(A) alpha1beta2gamma2L receptors expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes. Multistep synthesis starting from 5-nitroindole, via the Gould-Jacobs reaction to the quinoline nucleus, yielded key intermediates 9-chloro-3H-pyrrolo[3,2-f]quinoline-8-carboxylates. The reaction of the latter with methyl-hydrazine and various phenyl-hydrazines furnished the final compounds.

Synthesis, central and peripheral benzodiazepine receptor affinity of pyrazole and pyrazole-containing polycyclic derivatives.

A series of new pyrazole-condensed 6,5,5 tricyclic compounds were synthesized and tested to evaluate their binding affinities at both central (CBR) and peripheral (PBR) benzodiazepine receptors. Some 1-aryl-5-phenylpyrazole derivatives were also prepared and tested for comparison with their corresponding rigid tricyclic analogs. Among the newly synthesized 1-aryl-1,4-dihydro-indeno[1,2-c]pyrazoles bearing both an ethoxycarbonyl group at position 3 and a carbonyl function at the position 4, compound 4b emerged as a new potent (IC(50) = 26.

High affinity central benzodiazepine receptor ligands. Part 3: insights into the pharmacophore and pattern recognition study of intrinsic activities of pyrazolo[4,3-c]quinolin-3-ones.

Novel 2-phenyl-2,5-dihydropyrazolo[4,3-c]quinolin-3-(3H)-ones (PQs) endowed with high affinity for central benzodiazepine receptor (BzR) were synthesized. In particular, 9-fluoro-2-(2-fluorophenyl)-2,5-dihydro-3H-pyrazolo[4,3-c]quinolin-3-one (2(2)) showed binding affinity in the subnanomolar concentration range and proved to be in vitro a potent antagonist. This finding allowed the nature of the hydrogen bonding receptor site H(2) to be established, as located between the N-1 nitrogen of the PQ nucleus and the ortho position of the N-2-aryl group.

Structure-activity relationships in carboxamide derivatives based on the targeted delivery of radionuclides and boron atoms by means of peripheral benzodiazepine receptor ligands.

The structure-activity relationship studies on 2-quinolinecarboxamide peripheral benzodiazepine receptor (PBR) ligands have been refined with the aim of using these ligands as carriers of radionuclides and boron atoms. Some new ligands show enhanced affinity and steroidogenic activity with respect to reference compound 1 and are interesting candidates for radiolabeling and PET studies. Moreover, carborane derivative 3q, representing the first example of PBR ligand bearing a carborane cage, can be useful to explore an alternative mechanism in BNCT.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of pyridazino[4,3-b]indoles and indeno[1,2-c]pyridazines as new ligands of central and peripheral benzodiazepine receptors.

A large number of pyridazino[4,3-b]indoles and indeno[1,2-c]pyridazines were synthesised and tested to evaluate their binding affinities at both central (CBR) and peripheral (PBR) benzodiazepine receptors. Relatively good PBR binding affinities were found for ligands belonging to the 3-arylmethyloxy-pyridazinoindole series, whereas only 2-aryl-indenopyridazines 7a, 8a and 10a display a weak binding affinity for CBR. To find out the main structural determinants affecting PBR affinity, a molecular modelling study based on the comparative analysis of the three-dimensional properties of four properly selected derivatives 24a, 3b, 18a and 10d, with those of highly active and selective PBR ligands, taken as reference, was performed.

Synthesis and pharmacological evaluation of 1-[(1,2-diphenyl-1H-4-imidazolyl)methyl]-4-phenylpiperazines with clozapine-like mixed activities at dopamine D(2), serotonin, and GABA(A) receptors.

A series of 18 1-[(1,2-diphenyl-1H-4-imidazolyl)methyl]-4-piperazines (1a-r) were designed and synthesized as possible ligands with mixed dopamine (DA) D(2)/serotonin 5-HT(1A) affinity, with the aim of identifying novel compounds with neurochemical and pharmacological properties similar to those of clozapine. The binding profile at D(2) like, 5-HT(1A), and 5-HT(2A) receptors of title compounds was determined. Modifications made in the phenyl rings of the parent compound (1a) produced congeners endowed with a broad range of binding affinities for DA D(2) like, serotonin 5-HT(1A), and 5-HT(2A) receptors, with IC(50) values ranging from 25 to >10,000 nM.

Comparison of the effects of zaleplon, zolpidem, and triazolam at various GABA(A) receptor subtypes.

The pyrazolopyrimidine zaleplon is a hypnotic agent that acts at the benzodiazepine recognition site of GABA(A) receptors. Zaleplon, like the hypnotic agent zolpidem but unlike classical benzodiazepines, exhibits preferential affinity for type I benzodiazepine (BZ(1)/omega(1)) receptors in binding assays. The modulatory action of zaleplon at GABA(A) receptors has now been compared with those of zolpidem and the triazolobenzodiazepine triazolam.

Clozapine, but not haloperidol, increases brain concentrations of neuroactive steroids in the rat.

The extrapyramidal side effects of typical antipsychotics, which are induced to a markedly reduced extent by clozapine, have been linked to a dysfunction of central gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-mediated neurotransmission. The effects of clozapine on the brain concentrations of 3alpha-hydroxy-5alpha-pregnan-20-one (allopregnanolone, AP) and 3alpha,21-dihydroxy-5alpha-pregnan-20-one (allotetrahydrodeoxycorticosterone, THDOC), two potent and endogenous positive allosteric modulators of GABA-mediated chloride current intensities at GABA(A) receptors, were compared with those of the typical antipsychotic haloperidol. A single administration of clozapine (1.

Increase in expression of the GABA(A) receptor alpha(4) subunit gene induced by withdrawal of, but not by long-term treatment with, benzodiazepine full or partial agonists.

The effects of long-term exposure to, and subsequent withdrawal of, diazepam or imidazenil (full and partial agonists of the benzodiazepine receptor, respectively) on the abundance of GABA(A) receptor subunit mRNAs and peptides were investigated in rat cerebellar granule cells in culture. Exposure of cells to 10 microM diazepam for 5 days significantly reduced the amounts of alpha(1) and gamma(2) subunit mRNAs, and had no effect on the amount of alpha(4) mRNA. These effects were accompanied by a decrease in the levels of alpha(1) and gamma(2) protein and by a reduction in the efficacy of diazepam with regard to potentiation of GABA-evoked Cl- current.