| 1. |
- Nylander, Erik, 1986-
(författare)
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The effects of growth hormone on opioid-induced toxicity in vitro
- 2019
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- There is an ongoing opioid crisis in the United States that is portrayed by a large number of opioid-related deaths. Many of these cases involve commonly used prescription opioids, such as morphine, oxycodone, fentanyl, and methadone. This is concerning and highlights the problems associated with long-term opioid treatment. In addition to opioid-related deaths, long-term opioid use may impact higher brain functions, such as cognitive function. The cause of cognitive decline following opioid treatment may be associated with increased neuronal cell death, inhibited neurogenesis, and altered volumes of specific brain regions important for cognition. Growth hormone (GH), a pituitary hormone regulated by the hypothalamic somatotropic axis, may counteract several of these effects. The hormone, alongside with its mediator insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), is associated with pro-cognitive effects and display promising neuroprotective actions in the CNS. The main aim for this thesis was to examine the impact of opioids on cell viability and the potentially protective, restorative, and effects linked to pro-cognitive properties of GH in mixed neuronal cell cultures and cell lines. The results clearly display that specific opioids, such as methadone, decrease cell viability, possibly via negative effects on mitochondrial morphology. GH treatment alleviated the negative effects of methadone in cortical cell cultures as well as successfully restored mitochondrial and membrane integrity past injury. Moreover, GH treatment to primary hippocampal cell cultures increased the number of dendritic spines, which are linked to higher cognitive functions, indicating that the hormone act as a cognitive enhancer in the CNS. In conclusion, this thesis provides further evidence that opioids negatively impact cell viability, an effect that may underlie reduced cognitive function as seen in several patients consuming opioids-long term. GH was able to counteract these effects and also able to restore damaged cellular functions. This thesis further confirms the essential role of GH in acting as a cognitive enhancer in the CNS, highlighting the potential role of GH as a treatment for cognitive dysfunctions.
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| 2. |
- Zelleroth, Sofia, 1990-, et al.
(författare)
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Structurally different anabolic androgenic steroids reduce neurite outgrowth and neuronal viability in primary rat cortical cell cultures
- 2021
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Ingår i: Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0960-0760 .- 1879-1220. ; 210
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The illicit use of anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) among adolescents and young adults is a major concern due to the unknown and unpredictable impact of AAS on the developing brain and the consequences of this on mental health, cognitive function and behaviour. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of supra-physiological doses of four structurally different AAS (testosterone, nandrolone, stanozolol and trenbolone) on neurite development and cell viability using an in vitro model of immature primary rat cortical cell cultures. A high-throughput screening image-based approach, measuring the neurite length and number of neurons, was used for the analysis of neurite outgrowth. In addition, cell viability and expression of the Tubb3 gene (encoding the protein beta-III tubulin) were investigated. Testosterone, nandrolone, and trenbolone elicited adverse effects on neurite outgrowth as deduced from an observed reduced neurite length per neuron. Trenbolone was the only AAS that reduced the cell viability as indicated by a decreased number of neurons and declined mitochondrial function. Moreover, trenbolone downregulated the Tubb3 mRNA expression. The adverse impact on neurite development was neither inhibited nor supressed by the selective androgen receptor (AR) antagonist, flutamide, suggesting that the observed effects result from another mechanism or mechanisms of action that are operating apart from AR activation. The results demonstrate a possible AAS-induced detrimental effect on neuronal development and regenerative functions. An impact on these events, that are essential mechanisms for maintaining normal brain function, could possibly contribute to behavioural alterations seen in AAS users.
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| 3. |
- Nylander, Erik, 1986-, et al.
(författare)
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The Protective and Restorative Effects of Growth Hormone and Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 on Methadone-Induced Toxicity In Vitro
- 2018
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Ingår i: International Journal of Molecular Sciences. - : MDPI AG. - 1661-6596 .- 1422-0067. ; 19:11, s. 1-16
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Evidence to date suggests that opioids such as methadone may be associated with cognitive impairment. Growth hormone (GH) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) are suggested to be neuroprotective and procognitive in the brain and may therefore counteract these effects. This study aims to explore the protective and restorative effects of GH and IGF-1 in methadone-treated cell cultures. Primary cortical cell cultures were harvested from rat fetuses and grown for seven days in vitro. To examine the protective effects, methadone was co-treated with or without GH or IGF-1 for three consecutive days. To examine the restorative effects, methadone was added for the first 24 h, washed, and later treated with GH or IGF-1 for 48 h. At the end of each experiment, mitochondrial function and membrane integrity were evaluated. The results revealed that GH had protective effects in the membrane integrity assay and that both GH and IGF-1 effectively recovered mitochondrial function and membrane integrity in cells pretreated with methadone. The overall conclusion of the present study is that GH, but not IGF-1, protects primary cortical cells against methadone-induced toxicity, and that both GH and IGF-1 have a restorative effect on cells pretreated with methadone.
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| 4. |
- Andersson, Hanna, 1979-, et al.
(författare)
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Potent Macrocyclic Inhibitors of Insulin-Regulated Aminopeptidase (IRAP) by Olefin Ring-Closing Metathesis
- 2011
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Ingår i: Journal of Medicinal Chemistry. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 0022-2623 .- 1520-4804. ; 51, s. 3779-3792
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Macrocyclic analogues of angiotensin IV (Ang IV, Val1-Tyr2-Ile3-His4-Pro5-Phe6) targeting the insulin-regulated aminopeptidase (IRAP) have been designed, synthesized, and evaluated biologically. Replacement of His4-Pro5-Phe6 by a 2-(aminomethyl)phenylacetic acid (AMPAA) moiety and of Val1 and Ile3 by amino acids bearing olefinic side chains followed by macrocyclization provided potent IRAP inhibitors. The impact of the ring size and the type (saturated versus unsaturated), configuration, and position of the carbon–carbon bridge was assessed. The ring size generally affects the potency more than the carbon–carbon bond characteristics. Replacing Tyr2 by β3hTyr or Phe is accepted, while N-methylation of Tyr2 is deleterious for activity. Removal of the carboxyl group in the C-terminal slightly reduced the potency. Inhibitors 7 (Ki = 4.1 nM) and 19 (Ki = 1.8 nM), both encompassing 14-membered ring systems connected to AMPAA, are 10-fold more potent than Ang IV and are also more selective over aminopeptidase N (AP-N). Both compounds displayed high stability against proteolysis by metallopeptidases.
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| 5. |
- Guimond, Marie-Odile, et al.
(författare)
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Saralasin and Sarile Are AT2 Receptor Agonists
- 2014
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Ingår i: ACS Medicinal Chemistry Letters. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 1948-5875. ; 5:10, s. 1129-1132
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Saralasin and sarile, extensively studied over the past 40 years as angiotensin II (Ang II) receptor blockers, induce neurite outgrowth in a NG108-15 cell assay to a similar extent as the endogenous Ang II. In their undifferentiated state, these cells express mainly the AT2 receptor. The neurite outgrowth was inhibited by preincubation with the AT2 receptor selective antagonist PD 123,319, which suggests that the observed outgrowth was mediated by the AT2 receptor. Neither saralasin nor sarile reduced the neurite outgrowth induced by Ang II proving that the two octapeptides do not act as antagonists at the AT2 receptor and may be considered as AT2 receptor agonists.
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| 6. |
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| 7. |
- Wannberg, Johan, et al.
(författare)
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N-(Heteroaryl)thiophene sulfonamides as angiotensin AT2 receptor ligands
- 2024
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Ingår i: European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry. - : Elsevier. - 0223-5234 .- 1768-3254. ; 265
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Two series of N-(heteroaryl)thiophene sulfonamides, encompassing either a methylene imidazole group or a tertbutylimidazolylacetyl group in the meta position of the benzene ring, have been synthesized. An AT(2)R selective ligand with a Ki of 42 nM was identified in the first series and in the second series, six AT(2)R selective ligands with significantly improved binding affinities and Ki values of <5 nM were discovered. The binding modes to AT(2)R were explored by docking calculations combined with molecular dynamics simulations. Although some of the high affinity ligands exhibited fair stability in human liver microsomes, comparable to that observed with C21 undergoing clinical trials, most ligands displayed a very low metabolic stability with t(1/2) of less than 10 min in human liver microsomes. The most promising ligand, with an AT(2)R K-i value of 4.9 nM and with intermediate stability in human hepatocytes (t(1/2) = 77 min) caused a concentration-dependent vasorelaxation of pre-contracted mouse aorta.
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| 8. |
- Brolin, Erika, et al.
(författare)
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Chronic administration of morphine using mini-osmotic pumps affects spatial memory in the male rat
- 2018
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Ingår i: Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Behavior. - : Elsevier BV. - 0091-3057 .- 1873-5177. ; 167, s. 1-8
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The use of opioid analgesics to treat non-cancer pain has increased over the years. Many chronic pain patients suffer from numerous adverse effects, such as reduced quality of life, development of dependence, and cognitive impairments. Cognitive processes are regulated by several systems, one of which involves growth hormone (GH) and its secondary mediator insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), but also glutamatergic transmission, including receptors such as the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-receptor complex. In the laboratory, repeated injections are commonly used to establish animal models of long-term or chronic drug exposure. However, in the present study, we aimed to mimic a more human dose regimen using constant drug delivery provided by mini-osmotic pumps implanted subcutaneously in male Sprague Dawley rats. After developing opioid tolerance the cognitive function of rats was studied. Spatial learning and memory capabilities were evaluated using the rat Morris water maze (MWM). Moreover, gene expression related to the GH/IGF-1-axis and the NMDA-receptor system was analyzed using quantitative PCR (qPCR) and plasma levels of IGF-1 were assessed using the ELISA technique. Our results demonstrate that rats exposed to morphine for 27 days display memory impairments in the MWM probe trial. However, the behavioral effects of chronic morphine treatment were not accompanied by any significant differences in terms of mRNA expression or IGF-1 plasma concentration. The animal model used in this study provides a simple and suitable way to investigate the behavioral and neurochemical effects of chronic opioid treatment similar to the exposure seen in human pain patients.
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| 9. |
- Brolin, Erika, 1984-
(författare)
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Growth hormone in the brain : Focus on cognitive function
- 2017
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Cognitive impairments are an increasing health problem worldwide. In the developed countries, the average life expectancy has dramatically increased over the last decades, and with an elderly population more cases of cognitive impairments appear. Age, genetics, and different medical conditions such as diabetes mellitus, and substance use disorders may all contribute to declined cognitive ability. Physiological functions also decrease with increasing age, as does the activity of the growth hormone (GH)/insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) axis. Interestingly, both GH and IGF-1 are recognized for their neuroprotective effects and cognitive enhancement. The overall aim of this thesis was to investigate the impact of the somatotrophic axis (i.e. GH/IGF-1 axis) in rodents with cognitive deficiencies induced by diabetes or long-term drug exposure. For the first time cognitive impairments were characterized in diabetic mice using a spatial learning and memory task called the Barnes maze (BM). In diabetic mice, impaired learning in the BM was associated with decreased expression of the GH receptor (GHR) in the frontal cortex, a region important for e.g. working memory. Treatment with GH reversed certain cognitive impairments seen in diabetic animals. In rats treated with gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB), a significant decrease of Igf1 mRNA expression in the frontal cortex was observed. This observation may explain the impaired cognitive function previously seen following GHB administration. Furthermore, rats exposed to chronic morphine delivered in mini-osmotic pumps displayed memory impairments in the Morris water maze (MWM), an effect that seems to be associated with the composition of the N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor complex in the frontal cortex. In conclusion, the result strengthens the evidence for GH being a cognitive enhancer. Moreover, the result within this thesis identifies the frontal cortex as an important brain region, where gene expression related to the somatotrophic system is affected in rodents with cognitive impairments. The thesis especially emphasizes the importance of the local somatotrophic system in the brain with regard to cognitive function.
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| 10. |
- Brolin, Erika, et al.
(författare)
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The mRNA expression of insulin-like growth factor-1 (Igf1) is decreased in the rat frontal cortex following gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) administration
- 2017
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Ingår i: Neuroscience Letters. - : Elsevier BV. - 0304-3940 .- 1872-7972. ; 646, s. 15-20
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In recent years, growth hormone (GH), together with its secondary mediators insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and insulin-like growth factor-2 (IGF-2), have been highlighted for their beneficial effects in the central nervous system (CNS), in particular as cognitive enhancers. Cognitive processes, such as learning and memory, are known to be impaired in individuals suffering from substance abuse. In the present study, we investigated the effect of gamma-hydroxybuturate (GHB), an illicit drug used for its sedating and euphoric properties, on genes associated with the somatotrophic axis in regions of the brain important for cognitive function. Sprague Dawley rats (n =36) were divided into three groups and administered either saline, GHB 50 mg/kg or GHB 300 mg/kg orally for seven days. The levels of Ghr, Igf1 and Igf2 gene transcripts were analyzed using qPCR in brain regions involved in cognition and dependence. The levels of IGF-1 in blood plasma were also determined using ELISA. The results demonstrated a significant down-regulation of Igf1 mRNA expression in the frontal cortex in high-dose treated rats. Moreover, a significant correlation between Igf1 and Ghr mRNA expression was found in the hippocampus, the frontal cortex, and the caudate putamen, indicating local regulation of the GH/IGF-1 axis. To summarize, the current study concludes that chronic GHB treatment influences gene expression of Ghr and Igf1 in brain regions involved in cognitive function.
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