Inflammation Increases Neuronal Sensitivity to General Anesthetics

2016 ◽  
Vol 124 (2) ◽  
pp. 417-427 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sinziana Avramescu ◽  
Dian-Shi Wang ◽  
Irene Lecker ◽  
William T. H. To ◽  
Antonello Penna ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Critically ill patients with severe inflammation often exhibit heightened sensitivity to general anesthetics; however, the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Inflammation increases the number of γ-aminobutyric acid type A (GABAA) receptors expressed on the surface of neurons, which supports the hypothesis that inflammation increases up-regulation of GABAA receptor activity by anesthetics, thereby enhancing the behavioral sensitivity to these drugs. Methods To mimic inflammation in vitro, cultured hippocampal and cortical neurons were pretreated with interleukin (IL)-1β. Whole cell patch clamp methods were used to record currents evoked by γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) (0.5 μM) in the absence and presence of etomidate or isoflurane. To mimic inflammation in vivo, mice were treated with lipopolysaccharide, and several anesthetic-related behavioral endpoints were examined. Results IL-1β increased the amplitude of current evoked by GABA in combination with clinically relevant concentrations of either etomidate (3 μM) or isoflurane (250 μM) (n = 5 to 17, P < 0.05). Concentration–response plots for etomidate and isoflurane showed that IL-1β increased the maximal current 3.3-fold (n = 5 to 9) and 1.5-fold (n = 8 to 11), respectively (P < 0.05 for both), whereas the half-maximal effective concentrations were unchanged. Lipopolysaccharide enhanced the hypnotic properties of both etomidate and isoflurane. The immobilizing properties of etomidate, but not isoflurane, were also increased by lipopolysaccharide. Both lipopolysaccharide and etomidate impaired contextual fear memory. Conclusions These results provide proof-of-concept evidence that inflammation increases the sensitivity of neurons to general anesthetics. This increase in anesthetic up-regulation of GABAA receptor activity in vitro correlates with enhanced sensitivity for GABAA receptor–dependent behavioral endpoints in vivo.

2013 ◽  
Vol 110 (1) ◽  
pp. 131-140 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carrie R. Ferrario ◽  
Blaise O. Ndukwe ◽  
Jianhua Ren ◽  
Leslie S. Satin ◽  
Paulette B. Goforth

Alterations in the function and expression of NMDA receptors are observed after in vivo and in vitro traumatic brain injury. We recently reported that mechanical stretch injury in cortical neurons transiently increases the contribution of NMDA receptors to network activity and results in an increase in calcium-permeable AMPA (CP-AMPA) receptor-mediated transmission 4 h postinjury ( Goforth et al. 2011 ). Here, we evaluated changes in the function of synaptic vs. extrasynaptic GluN2B-containing NMDA receptors after injury. We also determined whether postinjury treatment with the GluN2B-selective antagonist Ro 25-6981 or memantine prevents injury-induced increases in CP-AMPA receptor activity. We found that injury increased extrasynaptic, GluN2B-containing NMDA receptor-mediated whole cell currents. In contrast, we found no differences in synaptic NMDA receptor-mediated transmission after injury. Furthermore, treatment with Ro 25-6981 or memantine after injury prevented injury-induced increases in CP-AMPA receptor-mediated activity. Together, our data suggest that increased NMDA receptor activity after injury is predominantly due to alterations in extrasynaptic, GluN2B-containing NMDA receptors and that activation of these receptors may contribute to the appearance of CP-AMPA receptors after injury.


2016 ◽  
Vol 125 (5) ◽  
pp. 964-978 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lia Mesbah-Oskui ◽  
Richard L. Horner

Abstract Background Alterations in thalamic γ-aminobutyric acid–mediated signaling are thought to underlie the increased frontal α-β frequency electrocortical activity that signals anesthetic-induced loss of consciousness with γ-aminobutyric acid receptor type A (GABAAR)–targeting general anesthetics. The general anesthetic etomidate elicits phasic extrasynaptic GABAAR activation (“spillover” inhibition) at thalamocortical neurons in vitro. We hypothesize that this action of etomidate at the thalamus is sufficient to trigger an increase in frontal α-β frequency electrocortical activity and that this effect of etomidate is fully recapitulated by enhanced thalamic spillover inhibition in vivo. Methods We recorded electrocortical activity and sleep–wake behavior in freely behaving wild-type (n = 33) and extrasynaptic δ-subunit–containing GABAAR knockout mice (n = 9) during bilateral microperfusion of the thalamus with etomidate and/or other pharmacologic agents that influence GABAAR or T-type Ca2+ channel activity. Results Microperfusion of etomidate into the thalamus elicited an increase in α-β frequency electrocortical activity that occurred only during non–rapid-eye-movement (REM) sleep (11.0 ± 11.8% and 16.0 ± 14.2% greater 8 to 12- and 12 to 30-Hz power, respectively; mean ± SD; both P < 0.031) and was not affected by blockade of thalamic T-type Ca2+ channels. Etomidate at the thalamus also increased spindle-like oscillations during non-REM sleep (4.5 ± 2.4 spindle per minute with etomidate vs. 3.2 ± 1.7 at baseline; P = 0.002). These effects of etomidate were fully recapitulated by enhanced thalamic extrasynaptic GABAAR-mediated spillover inhibition. Conclusions These findings identify how a prototypic GABAAR-targeting general anesthetic agent can elicit the characteristic brain wave pattern associated with anesthetic hypnosis when acting at the thalamus by promoting spillover inhibition and the necessity of a preexisting non-REM mode of activity in the thalamus to generate this effect.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fahad Iqbal ◽  
Marcus Pehar ◽  
Andrew J. Thompson ◽  
Urva Azeem ◽  
Kiana Jahanbakhsh ◽  
...  

AbstractAnesthetics, although necessary for many modern procedures, exert neurotoxic effects in various experimental models; the underlying mechanisms, however, remain unknown. In the absence of this information, any in vivo mitigation strategy would be challenging. To help address these gaps, we sought to determine whether preserving mitochondrial network integrity with a non-toxic, short-life synthetic peptide, P110, could protect cortical neurons against both inhalational and intravenous anesthetic-induced neurotoxicity. This study provides the first direct comparative account of three key general anesthetics (desflurane, propofol, and ketamine) under identical conditions and demonstrates their impact on cellular viability, neurite outgrowth, and synaptic network assembly on neonatal rat cortical neurons. Further, we discovered that the inhibition of Fis1 receptor-mediated fission reverses anesthetic-induced aberrations in an agent-specific manner. Our data thus underscore the importance of a reductionist approach, offering unique opportunities to explore non-toxic, mitochondria-based therapeutic tools for mitigating anesthetic-induced harm to the developing brain.


2019 ◽  
Vol 24 (39) ◽  
pp. 4626-4638 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reyhaneh Moradi-Marjaneh ◽  
Seyed M. Hassanian ◽  
Farzad Rahmani ◽  
Seyed H. Aghaee-Bakhtiari ◽  
Amir Avan ◽  
...  

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common causes of cancer-associated mortality in the world. Anti-tumor effect of curcumin has been shown in different cancers; however, the therapeutic potential of novel phytosomal curcumin, as well as the underlying molecular mechanism in CRC, has not yet been explored. Methods: The anti-proliferative, anti-migratory and apoptotic activity of phytosomal curcumin in CT26 cells was assessed by MTT assay, wound healing assay and Flow cytometry, respectively. Phytosomal curcumin was also tested for its in-vivo activity in a xenograft mouse model of CRC. In addition, oxidant/antioxidant activity was examined by DCFH-DA assay in vitro, measurement of malondialdehyde (MDA), Thiol and superoxidedismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activity and also evaluation of expression levels of Nrf2 and GCLM by qRT-PCR in tumor tissues. In addition, the effect of phytosomal curcumin on angiogenesis was assessed by the measurement of VEGF-A and VEGFR-1 and VEGF signaling regulatory microRNAs (miRNAs) in tumor tissue. Results: Phytosomal curcumin exerts anti-proliferative, anti-migratory and apoptotic activity in-vitro. It also decreases tumor growth and augmented 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) anti-tumor effect in-vivo. In addition, our data showed that induction of oxidative stress and inhibition of angiogenesis through modulation of VEGF signaling regulatory miRNAs might be underlying mechanisms by which phytosomal curcumin exerted its antitumor effect. Conclusion: Our data confirmed this notion that phytosomal curcumin administrates anticancer effects and can be used as a complementary treatment in clinical settings.


2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 156-165 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiaqiang Wang ◽  
Chien-shan Cheng ◽  
Yan Lu ◽  
Xiaowei Ding ◽  
Minmin Zhu ◽  
...  

Background: Propofol, a widely used intravenous anesthetic agent, is traditionally applied for sedation and general anesthesia. Explanation: Recent attention has been drawn to explore the effect and mechanisms of propofol against cancer progression in vitro and in vivo. Specifically, the proliferation-inhibiting and apoptosis-inducing properties of propofol in cancer have been studied. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Conclusion: This review focused on the findings within the past ten years and aimed to provide a general overview of propofol's malignance-modulating properties and the potential molecular mechanisms.


1985 ◽  
Vol 108 (4) ◽  
pp. 511-517 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nandalal Bagchi ◽  
Birdie Shivers ◽  
Thomas R. Brown

Abstract. Iodine in excess is known to acutely inhibit thyroidal secretion. In the present study we have characterized the time course of the iodine effect in vitro and investigated the underlying mechanisms. Labelled thyroid glands were cultured in vitro in medium containing mononitrotyrosine, an inhibitor of iodotyrosine deiodinase. The rate of hydrolysis of labelled thyroglobulin was measured as the proportion of labelled iodotyrosines and iodothyronines recovered at the end of culture and was used as an index of thyroidal secretion. Thyrotrophin (TSH) administered in vivo acutely stimulated the rate of thyroglobulin hydrolysis. Addition of Nal to the culture medium acutely inhibited both basal and TSH-stimulated thyroglobulin hydrolysis. The effect of iodide was demonstrable after 2 h, maximal after 6 h and was not reversible upon removal of iodide. Iodide abolished the dibutyryl cAMP induced stimulation of thyroglobulin hydrolysis. Iodide required organic binding of iodine for its effect but new protein or RNA synthesis was not necessary. The inhibitory effects of iodide and lysosomotrophic agents such as NH4C1 and chloroquin on thyroglobulin hydrolysis were additive suggesting different sites of action. Iodide added in vitro altered the distribution of label in prelabelled thyroglobulin in a way that suggested increased coupling in the thyroglobulin molecule. These data indicate that 1) the iodide effect occurs progressively over a 6 h period, 2) continued presence of iodide is not necessary once the inhibition is established, 3) iodide exerts its action primarily at a post cAMP, prelysosomal site and 4) the effect requires organic binding of iodine, but not new RNA or protein synthesis. Our data are consistent with the hypothesis that excess iodide acutely inhibits thyroglobulin hydrolysis by increasing the resistance of thyroglobulin to proteolytic degradation through increased iodination and coupling.


Author(s):  
Xiaohua Jie ◽  
William Pat Fong ◽  
Rui Zhou ◽  
Ye Zhao ◽  
Yingchao Zhao ◽  
...  

AbstractRadioresistance is regarded as the main barrier to effective radiotherapy in lung cancer. However, the underlying mechanisms of radioresistance remain elusive. Here, we show that lysine-specific demethylase 4C (KDM4C) is overexpressed and correlated with poor prognosis in lung cancer patients. We provide evidence that genetical or pharmacological inhibition of KDM4C impairs tumorigenesis and radioresistance in lung cancer in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, we uncover that KDM4C upregulates TGF-β2 expression by directly reducing H3K9me3 level at the TGF-β2 promoter and then activates Smad/ATM/Chk2 signaling to confer radioresistance in lung cancer. Using tandem affinity purification technology, we further identify deubiquitinase USP9X as a critical binding partner that deubiquitinates and stabilizes KDM4C. More importantly, depletion of USP9X impairs TGF-β2/Smad signaling and radioresistance by destabilizing KDM4C in lung cancer cells. Thus, our findings demonstrate that USP9X-mediated KDM4C deubiquitination activates TGF-β2/Smad signaling to promote radioresistance, suggesting that targeting KDM4C may be a promising radiosensitization strategy in the treatment of lung cancer.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yan Zhou ◽  
Tao Tao ◽  
Guangjie Liu ◽  
Xuan Gao ◽  
Yongyue Gao ◽  
...  

AbstractNeuronal apoptosis has an important role in early brain injury (EBI) following subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). TRAF3 was reported as a promising therapeutic target for stroke management, which covered several neuronal apoptosis signaling cascades. Hence, the present study is aimed to determine whether downregulation of TRAF3 could be neuroprotective in SAH-induced EBI. An in vivo SAH model in mice was established by endovascular perforation. Meanwhile, primary cultured cortical neurons of mice treated with oxygen hemoglobin were applied to mimic SAH in vitro. Our results demonstrated that TRAF3 protein expression increased and expressed in neurons both in vivo and in vitro SAH models. TRAF3 siRNA reversed neuronal loss and improved neurological deficits in SAH mice, and reduced cell death in SAH primary neurons. Mechanistically, we found that TRAF3 directly binds to TAK1 and potentiates phosphorylation and activation of TAK1, which further enhances the activation of NF-κB and MAPKs pathways to induce neuronal apoptosis. Importantly, TRAF3 expression was elevated following SAH in human brain tissue and was mainly expressed in neurons. Taken together, our study demonstrates that TRAF3 is an upstream regulator of MAPKs and NF-κB pathways in SAH-induced EBI via its interaction with and activation of TAK1. Furthermore, the TRAF3 may serve as a novel therapeutic target in SAH-induced EBI.


Cancers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (11) ◽  
pp. 2545
Author(s):  
Ya-Hui Chen ◽  
Po-Hui Wang ◽  
Pei-Ni Chen ◽  
Shun-Fa Yang ◽  
Yi-Hsuan Hsiao

Cervical cancer is one of the major gynecologic malignancies worldwide. Treatment options include chemotherapy, surgical resection, radiotherapy, or a combination of these treatments; however, relapse and recurrence may occur, and the outcome may not be favorable. Metformin is an established, safe, well-tolerated drug used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes; it can be safely combined with other antidiabetic agents. Diabetes, possibly associated with an increased site-specific cancer risk, may relate to the progression or initiation of specific types of cancer. The potential effects of metformin in terms of cancer prevention and therapy have been widely studied, and a number of studies have indicated its potential role in cancer treatment. The most frequently proposed mechanism underlying the diabetes–cancer association is insulin resistance, which leads to secondary hyperinsulinemia; furthermore, insulin may exert mitogenic effects through the insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) receptor, and hyperglycemia may worsen carcinogenesis through the induction of oxidative stress. Evidence has suggested clinical benefits of metformin in the treatment of gynecologic cancers. Combining current anticancer drugs with metformin may increase their efficacy and diminish adverse drug reactions. Accumulating evidence is indicating that metformin exerts anticancer effects alone or in combination with other agents in cervical cancer in vitro and in vivo. Metformin might thus serve as an adjunct therapeutic agent for cervical cancer. Here, we reviewed the potential anticancer effects of metformin against cervical cancer and discussed possible underlying mechanisms.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ying Xie ◽  
Xiaofeng Hang ◽  
Wensheng Xu ◽  
Jing Gu ◽  
Yuanjing Zhang ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Most of the biological functions of circular RNAs (circRNAs) and the potential underlying mechanisms in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have not yet been discovered. Methods In this study, using circRNA expression data from HCC tumor tissues and adjacent tissues from the Gene Expression Omnibus database, we identified out differentially expressed circRNAs and verified them by qRT-PCT. Functional experiments were performed to evaluate the effects of circFAM13B in HCC in vitro and in vivo. Results We found that circFAM13B was the most significantly differentially expressed circRNA in HCC tissue. Subsequently, in vitro and in vivo studies also demonstrated that circFAM13B promoted the proliferation of HCC. Further studies revealed that circFAM13B, a sponge of miR-212, is involved in the regulation of E2F5 gene expression by competitively binding to miR-212, inhibits the activation of the P53 signalling pathway, and promotes the proliferation of HCC cells. Conclusions Our findings revealed the mechanism underlying the regulatory role played by circFAM13B, miR-212 and E2F5 in HCC. This study provides a new theoretical basis and novel target for the clinical prevention and treatment of HCC.


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