OBJECTIVE: Anxiety is one of the most common symptoms associated with autistic spectrum disorder. The essential oil of Cananga odorata (Lam.) Hook. f. & Thomson, usually known as ylang-ylang oil (YYO), is often used in aromatherapy as a mood-regulating agent, sedative, or hypotensive agent. In the present study, the effects and mechanisms of YYO in alleviating anxiety, social and cognitive behaviors in autism-like rats were investigated. METHODS: The prenatal valproic acid (VPA) model was used to induce autism-like behaviors in offspring rats. The effectiveness of prenatal sodium valproate treatment (600 mg/kg) on offspring was shown by postnatal growth observation, and negative geotaxis, olfactory discrimination and Morris water maze (MWM) tests. Then three treatment groups were formed with varying exposure to atomized YYO to explore the effects of YYO on the anxiety, social and cognitive behaviors of the autistic-like offspring through the elevated plus-maze test, three-chamber social test, and MWM test. Finally, the monoamine neurotransmitters, including serotonin, dopamine and their metabolites, in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex (PFC) of the rats were measured using a high-performance liquid chromatography. RESULTS: Offspring of VPA exposure rats showed autism-like behaviors. In the VPA offspring, medium-dose YYO exposure significantly elevated the time and entries into the open arms in the elevated plus-maze test, while low-dose YYO exposure significantly enhanced the social interaction time with the stranger rat in session 1 of the three-chamber social test. VPA offspring treated with YYO exposure used less time to reach the platform in the navigation test of the MWM test. YYO exposure significantly elevated the metabolism of serotonin and dopamine in the PFC of VPA offspring. CONCLUSION YYO exposure showed the effects in alleviating anxiety and improving cognitive and social abilities in the offspring of VPA exposure rats. The role of YYO was related to the regulation of the metabolism of serotonin and dopamine. Please cite this article as: Zhang N, Wang ST, Yao L. Inhalation of Cananga odorata essential oil relieves anxiety behaviors in autism-like rats via regulation of serotonin and dopamine metabolism. J Integr Med. 2023; 21(2): 205-214.
Pregnancy ; Female ; Rats ; Animals ; Autistic Disorder/drug therapy* ; Oils, Volatile/therapeutic use* ; Serotonin/metabolism* ; Cananga/metabolism* ; Dopamine ; Anxiety/drug therapy* ; Valproic Acid/pharmacology* ; Plant Oils ; Disease Models, Animal

To investigate the effect of Rehmanniae Radix on depression-like behavior and monoamine neurotransmitters of chronic unpredictable mild stress(CUMS) model rats. CUMS combined with isolated feeding was used to induce the depression model of rats. The depression-like behavior of rats was evaluated by sucrose preference test, open field test, and forced swim test. Hematoxylin-Eosin(HE) staining was used to investigate the pathological changes of neurons in the CA1 and CA3 area of hippocampus. Ultra performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(UPLC-MS) was used to detect the contents of 5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT), 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid(5-HIAA), dopamine(DA), 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid(DOPAC), homovanillic acid(HVA), norepinephrine(NE), and 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenyl glycol(MHPG) in rats. Western blot was used to detect the protein expressions of tryptophan hydroxylase 2(TPH2), serotonin transporter(SERT), and monoamine oxidase A(MAO-A) in the hippocampus of rats. Compared with the normal group, depressive-like behavior of rats was obvious in the model group. The arrangements of neurons in the CA1 and CA3 area of hippocampus were loose and disorderly. The levels of 5-HT, 5-HIAA, and 5-HT/5-HIAA in the hippocampal area were decreased(P<0.01). The protein expression of TPH2 was decreased(P<0.01), but those of SERT and MAO-A were increased(P<0.01). In the Rehmanniae Radix groups with 1.8 g·kg~(-1) and 7.2 g·kg~(-1), the depression-like behavior of CUMS rats and pathological changes of neurons in CA1, CA3 area of hippocampus were improved. The protein expression of TPH2(P<0.05, P<0.01) was increased, and those of SERT and MAO-A were down-regulated(P<0.05, P<0.01). The levels of 5-HT, 5-HIAA, and 5-HT/5-HIAA in hippocampus were increased(P<0.05, P<0.01). The changes in DA, DOPAC, HVA, DA/(DOPAC +HVA), NE, DHPG, and NE/DHPG were not statistically significant. The results suggested that Rehmanniae Radix improved depression-like behavior of CUMS rats, and the mechanism might be related to the regulation of synthesis, transportation, and metabolism of 5-HT neurotransmitter in the hippocampus.
3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid/pharmacology* ; Animals ; Antidepressive Agents/therapeutic use* ; Chromatography, Liquid ; Depression/drug therapy* ; Disease Models, Animal ; Dopamine ; Eosine Yellowish-(YS)/pharmacology* ; Hematoxylin/pharmacology* ; Hippocampus/metabolism* ; Homovanillic Acid/pharmacology* ; Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid/metabolism* ; Methoxyhydroxyphenylglycol/pharmacology* ; Monoamine Oxidase/metabolism* ; Neurotransmitter Agents/metabolism* ; Norepinephrine/pharmacology* ; Plant Extracts ; Rats ; Rehmannia/chemistry* ; Serotonin/metabolism* ; Serotonin Plasma Membrane Transport Proteins/pharmacology* ; Stress, Psychological/metabolism* ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry ; Tryptophan Hydroxylase/metabolism*

Objective: To investigate the association between three single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genes DRD2 (rs1800497, rs6275, and rs1799978) and the dosage used on methadone maintenance treatment (MMT). Methods: From the methadone maintenance treatment centers, 257 MMT patients were recruited to participate in a case-control study and divided into two groups-control groups under low dosage (n=89) and case (n=168) group with high dosage. Quanto software was used to estimate the sample size as 180. Information related to social-demographic status, history on drug use and medication were collected. And DRD2 SNPs were genotyped to explore the relationship between polymorphism of DRD2 gene and the dosage of methadone maintenance treatment. Results: Distributions of DRD2 rs6275 between different groups were significantly different. Patients carrying TC genotype needed lower dose of methadone when compared to the patients that carrying CC genotype counterparts (OR=0.338, 95% CI: 0.115-0.986). Patients that carrying C allele at rs6275 needed lower methadone dose than those that carrying genotype TT (OR=0.352, 95% CI: 0.127-0.975). Distributions of genotypes, alles in the other two SNPs (rs1800497, rs1799978) were not significantly different between groups under different dosages. Conclusion: DRD2 rs6275 was associated with dosage of methadone used for the MMT patients. However, no significant associations were found between rs1800497, rs1799978 and the dosage of methadone.
Alleles ; Case-Control Studies ; Drug Dosage Calculations ; Genotype ; Humans ; Methadone/therapeutic use* ; Opiate Substitution Treatment ; Opioid-Related Disorders/rehabilitation* ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide/genetics* ; Receptors, Dopamine D2/genetics*

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Baichanting Compound (BC) on dopamine (DA) in striatum of Parkinson's disease (PD) mice, and to screen the optimal component proportion.

METHODSThe PD model was established in 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) induced C57BL/6 mice. By using uniform design, they were intervened by three extracts of BC in different proportions [Acanthopanax senticosus extract (X1): white peony root extract (X2): Uncaria rhynchophylla extract (X3) = 30.00: 34.92: 82.50, 48.00: 19.98: 72.19, 18.00: 44.88: 61.88, 36.00: 29.94: 51.56, 54.00: 15.00: 41.25, 24.00: 39.90: 30.94, 42.00: 24.96: 20.63). Equal volume of 5% carboxymethylcellulose sodium was administered to mice in the model group and the normal group by gastrogavage. All medication was lasted for 20 successive days. The dopamine (DA) content was determined by ultra performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS). Except 10 in the normal group, 20 PD model mice were screened and divided into the model group and the BC group (with the optimal proportion) according to random digit table. BC extract in optimal proportion was administered to mice in the BC group by gastrogavage, while equal volume of 5% carboxymethylcellulose sodium was administered to mice in the model group and the normal group by gastrogavage. All medication was lasted for 20 successive days. Praxiology was observed in each group. DA content in striatum was also detected. Results Compared with the normal group, the DA content in striatum decreased significantly in the model group (P < 0.01), suggesting a successful PD modeling. Compared with the model group, the DA content in striatum increased significantly in 1 and 2 groups (P<0.05). According to results of quadratic polynomial stepwise regression statistics, the regression equation obtained was: Y = 0.265 + 0.026 X 2 - 0.056 X 3 + 0.334 x 10(-3) x X1 x X3 + 0.691 x 10(-3) X X3(2). X3 extract was the main factor influencing the effectiveness (P < 0.01). The optimal proportion of BC was predicted by the regression equation: X1 = 54.00 mg/(kg x d), X2 = 44.88 mg/(kg x d), the X3 = 82.50 mg/(kg x d). The pole climbing time was shortened, times of autonomic activities increased, DA content was elevated, all with statistical difference in BC groups (P < 0.01, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONBC could increase DA content in PD model mice with the optimal proportion as 54.00: 44.88: 82.50.

1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine ; Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Dopamine ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Mass Spectrometry ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Motor Activity ; Parkinson Disease ; drug therapy ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of salidroside on tic behavior and in vivo dopamine DA) and serotonin (5-HT) levels in Tourette syndrome (TS) model rats.

METHODSForty rats were randomly divided into the blank control group, the TS model group, the haloperidol-treated group (0.5 mg/kg x d(-1)), and the salidroside-treated group (50 mg/kg x d(-1)), 10 in each group. TS rat model was induced by imino-dipropio-nitrile (IDPN). Peritoneal injection of haloperidol and salidroside was started from the 4th day of modeling in the haloperidol-treated group and the salidroside-treated group respectively. Normal saline was peritoneally injected to rats in the blank control group and the TS model group respectively. Stereotyped behavior was scored, and changes of DA and 5-HT levels in blood and striatum were measured before modeling, after modeling, and after intervention.

RESULTSCompared with the blank control group, the score of the tic behavior was elevated (P < 0.01) , levels of DA and 5-HT in plasma and striatum were reduced in the model group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). Compared with the same group after modeling, the tic behavior score decreased and plasma DA levels increased in the two treated groups after intervention (P < 0.01). 5-HT content increased in the salidroside-treated group (P < 0.01). Compared with the model group after intervention, the tic behavior score was significantly reduced (P < 0.01), and DA levels in plasma and striatum were elevated (P < 0.01, P < 0.05) in the salidroside-treated group and the haloperidol-treated group. Compared with the haloperidol-treated group, the tic behavior score increased (P < 0.01), DA levels in plasma and striatum were lowered (P < 0.01, P < 0.05), the 5-HT level increased in plasma and striatum (P < 0.01, P < 0.05) in the salidroside-treated group.

CONCLUSIONSIn the salidroside-treated group, the tic behavior was significantly reduced, and DA levels in plasma and striatum were elevated. Its mechanism might be related to regulating activities of dopamine neurons in striatum.

Animals ; Corpus Striatum ; Dopamine ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Glucosides ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Haloperidol ; Phenols ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Rats ; Serotonin ; Stereotyped Behavior ; Tics ; drug therapy ; Tourette Syndrome ; drug therapy

BACKGROUNDNurr1 plays an essential role in the development, survival, and function maintenance of midbrain dopaminergic (DA) neurons, and it is a potential target for Parkinson's disease (PD). Nurr1 mRNA can be detected in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), but whether there is any association of altered Nurr1 expression in PBMC with the disease and DA drug treatments remains elusive. This study aimed to measure the Nurr1 mRNA level in PBMC and evaluate the effect of Nurr1 expression by DA agents in vivo and in vitro.

METHODSThe mRNA levels of Nurr1 in PBMC of four subgroups of 362 PD patients and 193 healthy controls (HCs) using real-time polymerase chain reaction were measured. The nonparametric Mann-Whitney U-test and Kruskal-Wallis test were performed to evaluate the differences between PD and HC, as well as the subgroups of PD. Multivariate linear regression analysis was used to evaluate the independent association of Nurr1 expression with Hoehn and Yahr scale, age, and drug treatments. Besides, the Nurr1 expression in cultured PBMC was measured to determine whether DA agonist pramipexole affects its mRNA level.

RESULTSThe relative Nurr1 mRNA levels in DA agonists treated subgroup were significant higher than those in recent-onset cases without any anti-PD treatments (de novo) (P < 0.001) and HC groups (P < 0.010), respectively. Furthermore, the increase in Nurr1 mRNA expression was seen in DA agonist and L-dopa group. Multivariate linear regression showed DA agonists, L-dopa, and DA agonists were independent predictors correlated with Nurr1 mRNA expression level in PBMC. In vitro, in the cultured PBMC treated with 10 μmol/L pramipexole, the Nurr1 mRNA levels were significantly increased by 99.61%, 71.75%, 73.16% in 2, 4, and 8 h, respectively (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONSDA agonists can induce Nurr1 expression in PBMC, and such effect may contribute to DA agonists-mediated neuroprotection on DA neurons.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Dopamine Agonists ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 4, Group A, Member 2 ; genetics ; Parkinson Disease ; drug therapy ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Young Adult

BACKGROUNDInconsistencies in the use of the vasoactive agent therapy to treat shock are found in previous studies. A descriptive study was proposed to investigate current use of vasoactive agents for patients with shock in Chinese intensive care settings.

METHODSA nationwide survey of physicians was conducted from August 17 to December 30, 2012. Physicians were asked to complete a questionnaire which focused on the selection of vasoactive agents, management in the use of vasopressor/inotropic therapy, monitoring protocols when using these agents, and demographic characteristics.

RESULTSThe response rate was 65.1% with physicians returning 586 valid questionnaires. Norepinephrine was the first choice of a vasopressor used to treat septic shock by 70.8% of respondents; 73.4% of respondents favored dopamine for hypovolemic shock; and 68.3% of respondents preferred dopamine for cardiogenic shock. Dobutamine was selected by 84.1%, 64.5%, and 60.6% of respondents for septic, hypovolemic, and cardiogenic shock, respectively. Vasodilator agents were prescribed by physicians in the management of cardiogenic shock (67.1%) rather than for septic (32.3%) and hypovolemic shock (6.5%). A significant number of physicians working in teaching hospitals were using vasoactive agents in an appropriate manner when compared to physicians in nonteaching hospitals.

CONCLUSIONSVasoactive agent use for treatment of shock is inconsistent according to self-report by Chinese intensive care physicians; however, the variation in use depends upon the form of shock being treated and the type of hospital; thus, corresponding educational programs about vasoactive agent use for shock management should be considered.

Data Collection ; Dobutamine ; therapeutic use ; Dopamine ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Intensive Care Units ; statistics & numerical data ; Norepinephrine ; therapeutic use ; Shock ; drug therapy ; Shock, Cardiogenic ; drug therapy ; Shock, Septic ; drug therapy ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Vasoconstrictor Agents ; therapeutic use ; Vasodilator Agents ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo observe the long-term changes in anxiety-like behavior and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) expression in the substantia nigra (SN) after hypoxic-ischemic brain damage (HIBD) in a neonatal rat model and to further explore the relationship between dopamine (DA) level and long-term anxiety-like behavior using the DA receptor (DAR) antagonist.

METHODSSeven-day-old (P7) neonatal Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomized into normal control, sham-operated, HIBD and HIBD+DAR antagonist groups. HIBD model was prepared by ligating the right common carotid artery and 8% hypoxia exposure. The rats in the sham-operated group were sham-operated and were not subjected to right common carotid artery ligation and hypoxia exposure. The DAR antagonist was injected intraperitoneally before and after inducing HIBD. The same amount of normal saline was given to the other three groups as a control. Anxiety-like behavior was evaluated by elevated plus maze test, and TH expression in the SN was measured by immunohistochemistry on P14, P21, and P28.

RESULTSOn P21 and P28, the time spent in the open arms and the percentage of open arms entries in the HIBD group were significantly increased compared with those in the normal control, sham-operated and HIBD+DAR antagonist groups (P<0.05); in addition, the HIBD+DAR antagonist group showed a significantly longer time spent in the open arms than the normal control group (P<0.05). On P14, P21, and P28, TH expression in the HIBD and HIBD+DAR antagonist groups was significantly lower than that in the normal control and sham-operated groups, and TH level in the HIBD group was significantly lower than that in the HIBD+DAR antagonist group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSDAR antagonist allows the restoration of anxiety-like behavior and alleviates the damage to dopaminergic neurons in SD rats after HIBD.

Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Anxiety ; etiology ; prevention & control ; Dopamine Antagonists ; therapeutic use ; Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain ; complications ; Maze Learning ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, Dopamine ; physiology ; Substantia Nigra ; enzymology ; Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase ; analysis

OBJECTIVETo analyze the clinical characteristics of the patient with tyrosine hydroxylase deficiency, and investigate it's molecular mechanism.

METHODThe clinical characteristics of a patient with tyrosine hydroxylase deficiency were summarized and analyzed, his and his family's peripheral blood specimens were collected after informed consent was signed. All exons and the intron-exon boundaries of guanosine triphosphate hydroxylase I gene, tyrosine hydroxylase gene and sepiapterin reductase gene were examined by DNA-PCR, bi-directional sequencing.

RESULTThe patient was a 3-year-old boy, presented with unexplained dystonia for 3 years, without significant impairment of intelligence. Physical examination showed limb muscle strength grade V, rigidity of extremities, hypertonicity, brisk deep tendon reflexes in limbs, without obvious abnormalities in auxiliary examination, such as brain MRI, hepatic biochemical panel, creatine kinase, and ceruloplasmin. He dramatically responded to small doses of levodopa in the follow-up for half a year. A homozygous missense change in exon 5 of TH gene, c.605G > A (p.R202H), which was a known pathogenic mutation, was found in the patient. His parents were heterozygous for the R202H mutation.

CONCLUSIONThe age of onset in tyrosine hydroxylase deficiency patients is usually within the first year of life. Unexplained dystonia and hypokinesia were the main clinical features of tyrosine hydroxylase deficiency. The dopa-responsive effects for some patients are so obvious that we should strengthen awareness of the disease. TH gene c.605G > A (p.R202H) may be a common type of causative mutations for the mild form at home and abroad.

Brain ; metabolism ; pathology ; Catecholamines ; biosynthesis ; Child, Preschool ; DNA ; genetics ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Dopamine Agents ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Dystonic Disorders ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism ; Homozygote ; Humans ; Hypokinesia ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism ; Levodopa ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Muscle Rigidity ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism ; Mutation, Missense ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase ; deficiency ; genetics ; metabolism

PURPOSE: Levodopa is the most effective anti-Parkinsonian agent. It has also been known to exhibit analgesic properties in laboratory and clinical settings. However, studies evaluating its effects on neuropathic pain are limited. The aim of the present study was to examine the anti-allodynic effects of levodopa in neuropathic rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sprague-Dawley male rats underwent the surgical procedure for L5 and L6 spinal nerves ligation. Sixty neuropathic rats were randomly divided into 6 groups for the oral administration of distilled water and levodopa at 10, 30, 50, 70, and 100 mg/kg, respectively. We co-administered carbidopa with levodopa to prevent peripheral synthesis of dopamine from levodopa, and observed tactile, cold, and heat allodynia pre-administration, and at 15, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180, and 240 min after drug administration. We also measured locomotor function of neuropathic rats using rotarod test to examine whether levodopa caused side effects or not. RESULTS: Distilled water group didn't show any difference in all allodynia. For the levodopa groups (10-100 mg/kg), tactile and heat withdrawal thresholds were increased, and cold withdrawal frequency was decreased dose-dependently (p<0.01). In addition, levodopa induced biphasic analgesia. Different dosage of levodopa did not impact on the rotarod time (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: Levodopa reversed tactile, cold and heat allodynia in neuropathic rat without any side effects.
Animals ; Carbidopa/administration & dosage/adverse effects/therapeutic use ; Dopamine Agents/administration & dosage/adverse effects/*therapeutic use ; Hyperalgesia/*drug therapy ; Levodopa/administration & dosage/adverse effects/*therapeutic use ; Male ; Neuralgia/*drug therapy ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rotarod Performance Test