Background: Depression and related phenotypes, such as anxiety and neuroticism are thought to have a common genetic background. The malfunction of the serotonergic system is likely to play an important role in the etiology of these phenotypes, with compelling evidence coming from animal and human studies. However, recent studies indicate that other factors should be investigated, such as environmental stress. Aim: To investigate the role of the serotonergic gene variants (HTR1A-7 and SLC6A4) in depression, anxiety and neuroticism, in interaction with each other and other factors, such as stressful events. Method: Two large independent Caucasian cohorts, haplotype tagging single nucleotide polymorphisms (htSNPs) and existing genome-wide genotype data were used. Phenotypes were assessed by detailed questionnaires about psychiatric phenotypes (depression, anxiety and neuroticism) as well as background information, such as physical health. Environmental stress factors were investigated in one cohort by self-reported life event (recent and childhood) questionnaires. Healthy participants from this cohort took part in a computerised task to measure the effect of a functional polymorphism in the HTR1A gene on threat-related emotional information processing. ResultsMy study confirmed the importance of stressful life events in depression and anxiety modulated via the 5-HT1A and 5-HT1B autoreceptor, but not via the SLC6A4. I found evidence for epistatic interaction between HTR2A and SLC6A4 genes and between different subunits of the HTR3 gene which may contribute towards the depressive phenotype. Finally, certain alleles of SNPs in other serotonergic receptors (5-HT4 and 5-HT6) were also associated with depression, anxiety and neuroticism however, this association was weak. On the other hand, my study did not provide evidence for the interaction between the serotonin transporter 5-HTTLPR polymorphism and stressful life events which is widely reported in the literature. Conclusion: This study provides further support for the serotonergic hypothesis of depression and confirms the role of the environment in the aetiology of depression. The results show evidence of possible epistatic interaction between the SLC6A4 and HTR2A genes. These results highlight the complex interactions between the members of the serotonergic pathway as well as the role of the environment on the individual.

O decanoato de nandrolona é um esteróide anabólico-androgênico (EAA), derivado da testosterona, utilizado de maneira abusiva por indivíduos procurando ganho de força física ou apenas efeitos estéticos. Doses suprafisiológicas desses compostos têm sido associadas a efeitos psiquiátricos adversos, especialmente episódios de impulsividade e aumento no comportamento agressivo. Considerando o desconhecimento dos mecanismos neurais envolvidos nessa desinibição comportamental, nós investigamos a integridade da transcrição de componentes do sistema serotoninérgico (intimamente relacionados à expressão de comportamentos emocionais) em diversas áreas cerebrais de camundongos sob a administração prolongada de nandrolona. Camundongos machos adultos da linhagem C57Bl/6J receberam uma injeção subcutânea diária de 15 mg/kg de decanoato de nandrolona durante 28 dias. Diferentes grupos de animais foram utilizados para a análise de comportamentos emocionais e para a quantificação da expressão de genes relacionados à serotonina (5-HT), utilizando a transcrição reversa do RNA associada à técnica de PCR em tempo-real. Os camundongos tratados apresentaram um aumento na massa corporal, hiperatividade motora e aumento de comportamentos relacionados à ansiedade em ambientes novos. A imobilidade avaliada no teste de nado forçado apresentou-se reduzida. Os animais que receberam a nandrolona se mostraram mais agressivos e impulsivos para iniciar o ataque aos camundongos oponentes, no modelo de residenteintruso. O EAA induziu uma redução significante na quantidade de transcritos da maioria dos receptores pós-sinápticos de 5-HT investigados na amígdala e no córtex pré-frontal. A expressão do gene do receptor 5-HT1B (reconhecidamente envolvido com as alterações comportamentais observadas) estava também reduzida no hipocampo e hipotálamo. No mesencéfalo, região onde se encontram os corpos neuronais dos neurônios serotoninérgicos que inervam o sistema límbico e demais áreas cerebrais, não se observou nenhuma alteração na expressão dos genes relacionados aos receptores serotoninérgicos pré-sinápticos. Os transcritos do transportador e da enzima de síntese de 5-HT, indicadores da integridade serotoninérgica pré-sináptica, também não se apresentaram alterados. Dessa maneira, concluímos que o efeito de altas doses do EAA decanoato de nandrolona em camundongos confirma os dados encontrados em literatura quanto à desinibição comportamental observada em usuários abusivos humanos. Nosso modelo também foi eficiente em mostrar pela primeira vez alterações moleculares induzidas por este EAA. A redução generalizada na expressão dos genes de receptores de 5-HT na amígdala e córtex pré-frontal sugere essas áreas, pós-sinápticas ao sistema serotoninérgico, como críticas nos efeitos induzidos pelo EAA. Nosso trabalho também sugere um papel importante para o receptor 5-HT1B na desinibição comportamental observada / Nandrolone decanoate is a highly abused anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) by individuals looking for gains in physical strength or body appearance. Supraphysiological doses of this testosterone synthetic derivative have been associated with many physical and psychiatric adverse effects, especially reported episodes of impulsiveness and overt aggressive behavior. Since the neural mechanisms underlying AAS-induced behavioral disinhibition are unknown, we investigated the integrity of serotonergic system transcription in several brain areas of mice under prolonged nandrolone administration. Male C57Bl/6J mice received 15 mg/kg of nandrolone decanoate subcutaneously once daily for 28 days, and different sets of animals were used to investigate motor and emotion-related behaviors or 5-HT-related gene expression by qRT-PCR. AAS-injected mice had increased body weight, were hyperactive and displayed more anxious-like behaviors in novel environments. They exhibited reduced immobility in the forced swim test, higher probability of being aggressive and elevated impulsivity to attack the opponent. AAS induced substantial reduction in the transcription of most postsynaptic 5-HT receptors investigated in the amygdala and prefrontal cortex. Interestingly, 5-HT1B mRNA was further reduced in the hippocampus and hypothalamus. At the midbrain level, there was no alteration in 5- HT receptors, transporter or synthetic enzyme gene transcription. In conclusion, high doses of AAS nandrolone in male mice recapitulate the behavioral disinhibition observed in abusers. Furthermore, they are associated with overall decrease in 5-HT receptor gene expression in the amygdala and prefrontal cortex, implicating these areas as critical sites for AASinduced effects and indicating a role for the 5-HT1B receptor in this behavioral disinhibition

O decanoato de nandrolona é um esteróide anabólico-androgênico (EAA), derivado da testosterona, utilizado de maneira abusiva por indivíduos procurando ganho de força física ou apenas efeitos estéticos. Doses suprafisiológicas desses compostos têm sido associadas a efeitos psiquiátricos adversos, especialmente episódios de impulsividade e aumento no comportamento agressivo. Considerando o desconhecimento dos mecanismos neurais envolvidos nessa desinibição comportamental, nós investigamos a integridade da transcrição de componentes do sistema serotoninérgico (intimamente relacionados à expressão de comportamentos emocionais) em diversas áreas cerebrais de camundongos sob a administração prolongada de nandrolona. Camundongos machos adultos da linhagem C57Bl/6J receberam uma injeção subcutânea diária de 15 mg/kg de decanoato de nandrolona durante 28 dias. Diferentes grupos de animais foram utilizados para a análise de comportamentos emocionais e para a quantificação da expressão de genes relacionados à serotonina (5-HT), utilizando a transcrição reversa do RNA associada à técnica de PCR em tempo-real. Os camundongos tratados apresentaram um aumento na massa corporal, hiperatividade motora e aumento de comportamentos relacionados à ansiedade em ambientes novos. A imobilidade avaliada no teste de nado forçado apresentou-se reduzida. Os animais que receberam a nandrolona se mostraram mais agressivos e impulsivos para iniciar o ataque aos camundongos oponentes, no modelo de residenteintruso. O EAA induziu uma redução significante na quantidade de transcritos da maioria dos receptores pós-sinápticos de 5-HT investigados na amígdala e no córtex pré-frontal. A expressão do gene do receptor 5-HT1B (reconhecidamente envolvido com as alterações comportamentais observadas) estava também reduzida no hipocampo e hipotálamo. No mesencéfalo, região onde se encontram os corpos neuronais dos neurônios serotoninérgicos que inervam o sistema límbico e demais áreas cerebrais, não se observou nenhuma alteração na expressão dos genes relacionados aos receptores serotoninérgicos pré-sinápticos. Os transcritos do transportador e da enzima de síntese de 5-HT, indicadores da integridade serotoninérgica pré-sináptica, também não se apresentaram alterados. Dessa maneira, concluímos que o efeito de altas doses do EAA decanoato de nandrolona em camundongos confirma os dados encontrados em literatura quanto à desinibição comportamental observada em usuários abusivos humanos. Nosso modelo também foi eficiente em mostrar pela primeira vez alterações moleculares induzidas por este EAA. A redução generalizada na expressão dos genes de receptores de 5-HT na amígdala e córtex pré-frontal sugere essas áreas, pós-sinápticas ao sistema serotoninérgico, como críticas nos efeitos induzidos pelo EAA. Nosso trabalho também sugere um papel importante para o receptor 5-HT1B na desinibição comportamental observada / Nandrolone decanoate is a highly abused anabolic-androgenic steroid (AAS) by individuals looking for gains in physical strength or body appearance. Supraphysiological doses of this testosterone synthetic derivative have been associated with many physical and psychiatric adverse effects, especially reported episodes of impulsiveness and overt aggressive behavior. Since the neural mechanisms underlying AAS-induced behavioral disinhibition are unknown, we investigated the integrity of serotonergic system transcription in several brain areas of mice under prolonged nandrolone administration. Male C57Bl/6J mice received 15 mg/kg of nandrolone decanoate subcutaneously once daily for 28 days, and different sets of animals were used to investigate motor and emotion-related behaviors or 5-HT-related gene expression by qRT-PCR. AAS-injected mice had increased body weight, were hyperactive and displayed more anxious-like behaviors in novel environments. They exhibited reduced immobility in the forced swim test, higher probability of being aggressive and elevated impulsivity to attack the opponent. AAS induced substantial reduction in the transcription of most postsynaptic 5-HT receptors investigated in the amygdala and prefrontal cortex. Interestingly, 5-HT1B mRNA was further reduced in the hippocampus and hypothalamus. At the midbrain level, there was no alteration in 5- HT receptors, transporter or synthetic enzyme gene transcription. In conclusion, high doses of AAS nandrolone in male mice recapitulate the behavioral disinhibition observed in abusers. Furthermore, they are associated with overall decrease in 5-HT receptor gene expression in the amygdala and prefrontal cortex, implicating these areas as critical sites for AASinduced effects and indicating a role for the 5-HT1B receptor in this behavioral disinhibition

Submitted by Erika Demachki (erikademachki@gmail.com) on 2015-11-12T18:44:31Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Oscar Romero Lopes Rodrigues - 2015.pdf: 1210572 bytes, checksum: 9080ec829a41c8754d39489573c4cd56 (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Erika Demachki (erikademachki@gmail.com) on 2015-11-12T18:46:20Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Oscar Romero Lopes Rodrigues - 2015.pdf: 1210572 bytes, checksum: 9080ec829a41c8754d39489573c4cd56 (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2015-11-12T18:46:20Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Oscar Romero Lopes Rodrigues - 2015.pdf: 1210572 bytes, checksum: 9080ec829a41c8754d39489573c4cd56 (MD5) license_rdf: 23148 bytes, checksum: 9da0b6dfac957114c6a7714714b86306 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-03-13 / Conselho Nacional de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico - CNPq / The Laboratório de Química Farmaceutica Medicinal designed and synthesized a new piperazine derivative tert-butyl 4-((1-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)methyl)piperazine-1-carboxylate (LQFM104) based on molecular framework of clozapine. This study aimed the pharmacological evaluation in the central nervous system of the LQFM104. Treatment with LQFM104 at doses of 25 , 50 or 100 μmol/kg (p.o.) in the open-field test did not alter in animals the number of grooming behavior, the number of fecal boluses, the total number of crossings, immobility time, number of rears, the percentage of crossings in the central area and the time spent in the center. None of groups of doses tested with LQFM104 was able to change the time spent in the chimney test. In pentobarbital-induced sleep test, the treatment with LQFM104 25, 50 or 100 μmol/kg (p.o.) did not affect sleep latency, while the sleep duration has increased by 65%, 64.4% and 78.6% respectively compared to the control group treated orally with vehicle 10 ml/kg (28.8 ± 2.9 minutes). In the standardization of apomorphine-induced climbing test, the treatment with haloperidol at dose of 2.6 μmol/kg was able to reduce the climbing behavior in 97.8%, whereas clozapine at dose of 45 μol/kg, has reduced this behavior in 78 % when compared to control (16.87 ± 2.8). The LQFM104 50 or 200 μmol/kg (p.o.) was not able to reduce the climbing behavior. In the forced swimming test just LQFM104 50 μmol/kg (p.o.) was able to reduce the immobility time in 19.8% compared to the control group ( 263.2 ± 6.7 seconds) and increased the latency to immobility in 43%, compared with the control ( 70.6 ± 6.5 seconds). Similarly, in the tail suspension test, only the LQFM104 50 μmol/kg (p.o.) increased immobility time (32.1%) compared to the control (216.1 ± 13.2 seconds). The LQFM104 50 μmol/kg (p.o.) had their antidepressant-like effects completely reversed by blocking treatment with PCPA and NAN-190. And the quantification of brain-derived neurotrophic factor the LQFM104 50 μmol/kg (p.o.) did not change these levels. The results with LQFM104 in the open-field test indicated no changes in spontaneous locomotor activity and showed no anxiogenic activity. The chimney test did not reveal impairment in motor coordination. The pentobarbital-induced sleep test increased sleep duration without reducing the latency, thus suggesting a sedative action. The forced swimming test and the tail suspension test confirmed for LQFM104 50 μmol/kg (p.o.) an antidepressant activity in mice. The blockade with NAN-190 and PCPA suggests the involvement of serotonergic system and 5-HT1A receptor. / O laboratório de Química Farmacêutica Medicinal projetou e sintetizou um novo derivado piperazínico o tert-butil 4-((1-fenil-1H-pirazol-4-il)metil)piperazina-1-carboxilato (LQFM104) baseado no arcabouço molecular da clozapina . O objetivo deste estudo foi a avaliação farmacológica no sistema nervoso central do LQFM104. O tratamento com LQFM104 nas doses de 25, 50 ou 100 μmol/kg (v.o.), no teste de campo aberto não alterou nos animais o número de comportamento de auto-limpeza, o número de bolos fecais, o número total de cruzamentos, o tempo de imobilidade, número de levantadas, a porcentagem de cruzamentos na área central e o tempo despendido no centro. Nenhum dos grupos de doses testadas com LQFM104 tiveram alterações no tempo gasto pelo teste da chaminé. No teste do sono induzido por pentobarbital, o tratamento com LQFM104 25, 50 ou 100 μmol/kg (v.o.) não afetou a latência ao sono, enquanto que a duração do sono aumentou em 65%, 64,4% e 78,6% respectivamente, em comparação com o grupo controle tratado oralmente com veículo 10 ml/kg (28,8 ± 2,9 minutos). Na padronização do teste de escalada induzido por apomorfina, o tratamento com haloperidol na dose de 2,6 μmol/kg foi capaz de reduzir o comportamento de escalada em 97,8%, e a clozapina, na dose de 45 μmol/kg, causou este comportamento reduzido em 78% quando comparado com o controle (16,87 ± 2,8). O LQFM104 nas doses de 50 ou 200 μmol/kg (v.o.) não foi capaze de reduzir o comportamento de escalada. No teste do nado forçado, apenas a dose de 50 μmol/kg (v.o.) foi capaz de reduzir o tempo de imobilidade, em 19,8% em comparação com o grupo controle (263,2 ± 6,7 segundos) e aumentou a latência para a imobilidade em 43%, em comparação com o controle (70,6 ± 6,5 segundos). De modo semelhante, no teste de suspensão pela cauda, apenas o LQFM104 50 μmol/kg (v.o.), aumentou o tempo de imobilidade (32,1%) em comparação com o controle (216,1 ± 13,2 segundos). O LQFM104 50 μmol/kg (v.o.) teve seu efeito tipo antidepressivo completamente revertido pelo bloqueio com o tratamento com PCPA e NAN-190. Na quantificação do fator neurotrófico derivado do cérebro o LQFM104 50 μmol/kg (v.o.) não alterou esses níveis. Os resultados com LQFM104 no teste de campo aberto não indicaram nenhuma alteração na atividade locomotora espontânea e não mostraram nenhuma atividade ansiogênica. O teste da chaminé não mostrou diminuição na coordenação motora. O teste de sono induzido por pentobarbital aumentou a duração do sono, sem reduzir a latência, o que sugere uma ação sedativa. O teste do nado forçado e o teste de suspensão pela cauda confirmou para LQFM104 50 μmol/kg (v.o.) uma atividade tipo antidepressiva em camundongos. O bloqueio com PCPA e NAN-190 sugerem o envolvimento de sistema serotonérgico e do receptor 5-HT1A.

The serotonergic system is involved in a broad range of functions in both vertebrates and invertebrates and is highly conserved across taxa. Serotonin is an important monoamine acting in the brains of humans and animals, and has large and varying influences on many aspects of an individual’s life. For example, in humans, serotonin modulates feelings of happiness and in fruit flies, higher levels of serotonin increase aggression. In humans, an abnormal serotonergic system can result in health issues, such as depression and obsessive compulsive disorders, for which medications have been developed, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI). Because the serotonin system has a large influence on human health, understanding how it functions is of great interest to researchers. Using comparative studies to explore differences in the serotonin system across taxa can provide insight into the mechanistic details of the system. To investigate if the serotonin system is comparable between vertebrates and invertebrates, a literature study with particular focus on receptors and proteins involved was performed. In addition, this report takes part in an experimental study investigating the effect of the SSRI fluoxetine in Mediterranean field crickets.  Fluoxetine reduced exploration propensity of crickets, which was reversed, compared to what was anticipated and compared to effects seen in vertebrates. The literature review suggests that serotonin receptors are quite similar, but that proteins differ more when comparing vertebrates and invertebrates. This offers a likely explanation as to why results of studies on these different groups of animals may differ.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-28T20:18:34Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2009 - Ana Paula de Magalhaes Nunes.pdf: 2100747 bytes, checksum: 71718bf8a01eaa5a22f6b041a009a396 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009-03-13 / Funda??o Carlos Chagas Filho de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro / In order to investigate the hypothesis of the influence of serotonergic system on the control of dipsogenic and sodium appetite, we examined the effects of chronicallytreated rats with the brain serotonin releaser, fenfluramine, the 5-HT1A agonist, 8-OHDPAT and the selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitor, sertraline. Animals treated with 5- HT1A agonist and brain serotonin releaser were sodium depleted and then their fluids intake analyzed. The first group decreased significantly the salt intake response while the second group intensified the sodium appetite 2 weeks after the first administration of fenfluramine. The water consumption was not altered in none of the groups when compared to their respective controls. Sodium-depleted animals that were treated with sertraline showed a more intense natriorexigenic response. On the other hand, water deprivation induced a lower water intake in SERT-treated rats than the controls. Osmotic simulation evoked a dipsogenic response significantly lower in SERT group. Fluids and food deprivation induced a weak dipsogenic response in SERT treated-rats compared to controls but without difference on saline intake. An increased urinary density and decreased plasma sodium levels in SERT-treated rats correlated with the highest plasma vasopressin and oxytocin levels at the 3rd week post-treatment. The obtained results in chronically-treated rats with the 5-HT1A agonist and the brain serotonin releaser, suggest that the alteration on the brain serotoninergic activity influences the sodium appetite expression, possibly after 5-HT1A autoreceptor desensitization produced by 8-OH-DPAT or brain serotonin depletion achieved with fenfluramine treatment. The results of chronically-treated rats with sertraline, constitute the first evidence of alterations on the threshold for thirst and sodium appetite response in SERT-chronically-treated rats. These alterations possibly are consequence of the hyponatremia provided by inappropriate secretion of AVP and OT. / Para investigar a hip?tese da influ?ncia do status do sistema seroton?rgico no controle da resposta dipsog?nica e do apetite ao s?dio, analisamos os efeitos de ratos tratados cronicamente com um liberador cerebral de serotonina, fenfluramina, um agonista 5-HT1A, 8-OH-DPAT e um inibidor da recapta??o pr?-sin?ptica de serotonina, sertralina (SERT). Animais tratados com agonista 5-HT1A e com liberador cerebral de serotonina, foram submetidos a deple??o de s?dio e, posteriormente, a ingest?o de fluidos foi aferida. O primeiro grupo diminuiu significativamente a ingest?o de salina hipert?nica, enquanto o segundo grupo intensificou o apetite ao s?dio 2 semanas ap?s o ?n?cio do tratamento com fenfluramina. O consumo de ?gua n?o foi alterado em nenhum dos grupos, quando comparados aos seus respectivos grupo controle. Os animais tratados cronicamente com SERT que sofreram deple??o de s?dio, obtiveram uma intensa resposta natriorexig?nica. Por outro lado, a priva??o de ?gua induziu uma menor ingest?o de ?gua em ratos tratados cronicamente com SERT quando comparado-os aos do grupo controle. O est?mulo osm?tico evocou uma resposta dipsog?nica significativamente menor no grupo SERT. A priva??o de fluidos e de alimentos induziu uma baixa resposta dipsog?nica em ratos tratados com SERT quando comparados aos controles, mas sem diferen?a significativa na ingest?o de salina hipert?nica. O aumento da densidade urin?ria em ratos tratados com SERT correlaciona-se com os maiores n?veis plasm?ticos do horm?nio anti-diur?tico e ocitocina na 4? semana p?s-tratamento. Os resultados obtidos em ratos tratados cronicamente, com o agonista 5-HT1A e com o liberador cerebral de serotonina, sugerem uma poss?vel altera??o da atividade cerebral serotonin?rgica, influenciando assim a express?o do apetite ao s?dio, pois possivelmente ocorreu uma dessensibiliza??o de autoreceptores 5-HT1A com o tratamento com 8-OH-DPAT, e deple??o cerebral de serotonina, obtida com o tratamento com fenfluramina. Os resultados relativos aos animais tratados cronicamente com sertralina, constituem as primeiras evid?ncias de altera??o no limiar de sede e de apetite ao s?dio. Essas altera??es s?o possivelmente conseq??ncia da hiponatremia gerada pela secre??o inapropriada de ADH e OT.

Submitted by Jorge Silva (jorgelmsilva@ufrrj.br) on 2017-06-14T19:34:21Z No. of bitstreams: 1 2015 - Veronica Cristina Lopes Menezes.pdf: 1388664 bytes, checksum: eb95b2be98ffd5f3a96140f14377f8f2 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-06-14T19:34:21Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2015 - Veronica Cristina Lopes Menezes.pdf: 1388664 bytes, checksum: eb95b2be98ffd5f3a96140f14377f8f2 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-07-30 / CAPES / The distribution of estrogen receptors in brain structures that are envolved in the hidroelectrolyte balance such as the lamina terminalis (LT), subfornical organ (SFO) and dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) demonstrated that estradiol can modulate important responses in body fluids. In the literature experimental data support that estrogen can increase the triptofan-hydroxilase type 2 , the main enzyme for the serotonin synthesis. The primary question here is whether or not differences in the baseline or stimulated intake are a function of different levels of circulating gonadal hormones in female ovariectomized rats. Female Wistar intact rats (~230 g) were previously aclimated in metabolic cages during 5 days and ad libitum access to water and hypertonic saline (1.8%) bottles and food. Room temperature was maintained at 22?2 ?C with 12:12 h light-dark cycle (lights off at 19:00). Rats were anesthetized with intraperitoneal injections of a mixture of ketamine (75 mg/kg) and xylazine (5 mg/kg) and then bilaterally ovariohysterectomized. There were four experimental groups: OVX (replaced with corn oil), 2,5 ?g/kg (E2 2,5), 10,0 ?g/kg (E2 10,0) and 40,0 ?g/kg (E2 40,0), daily during seven days, s.c. After 24 h of the surgery the hormonal replacement initiated (estradiol cypionate, EC, Pfizer, Animal Health). We did three experimental protocols: baseline evaluations, sodium depletion and fluid replacement. The estrogen replacement exibitted a dose dependent effect in the following parameters under basal conditions: daily body weight, daily urinary volume and daily food intake. After sodium depletion there were no difference in the urinary volume after 2 and 24 hours of the experiment. But after fluid reposition we observed a dose dependent effect in the ingestive behaviour of water and hypertonic saline intake in sodium depleted and control animals. Our data support that estradiol can alter the natriorexigenic and dipsogenic responses especially after sodium depletion depending of the estrogenic status. / A distribui??o de receptores estrog?nicos em estruturas centrais envolvidas na regula??o da homeostase hidroeletrol?tica como o ?rg?o vasculoso da l?mina terminal, n?cleo subfornicial, n?cleo dorsal da rafe indica que o estradiol pode atuar nessas estruturas em resposta a altera??es nos fluidos corporais. Nosso objetivo foi verificar se a reposi??o hormonal pode influenciar de maneira concentra??o-dependente o status hidroeletrol?tico e neuroend?crino de ratas castradas com reposi??o hormonal em diferentes doses de forma comparativa. Ratas Wistar (~230 g) foram previamente adaptadas, por 5 dias, em gaiolas metab?licas, com acesso ad libitum aos bebedouros volum?tricos de ?gua e salina hipert?nica e ao alimento, sendo mantidas sob ciclo claro-escuro de 12 horas em sala com temperatura controlada em 22??2 ?C. Ao final da adapta??o, as ratas previamente anestesiadas com cetamina (75 mg/kg) e xilazina (5 mg/kg) foram submetidas ? cirurgia de ovariectomia bilateral. Os animais foram divididos em 4 grupos: OVX, reposi??o com ?leo de milho), repostos com ?leo de milho cipionato de estradiol (E2) 2,5 ?g/kg (E2 2,5), 10,0 ?g/kg (E2 10,0) e 40 ?g/kg (E2 40,0). O tratamento de reposi??o foi feito pela via subcut?nea, diariamente durante 7 dias tendo sido iniciado no dia seguinte ? cirurgia. Foram realizados tr?s protocolos experimentais: avalia??o sob condi??es basais, deple??o de ?ons s?dio e reapresenta??o de fluidos. Neste estudo o estradiol apresentou efeito dose dependente nos seguintes par?metros sob condi??es basais: peso corporal di?rio, volume urin?rio di?rio, ingest?o de alimento di?rio. Ap?s deple??o de s?dio n?o houve diferen?a em rela??o ao volume urin?rio de 2 e de 24 horas ap?s o experimento. No entanto ap?s a reapresenta??o dos fluidos houve efeito dose-dependente no comportamento ingestivo de ?gua e de salina hipert?nica tanto nos animais depletados de s?dio quanto nos animais controles.Os dados suportam que o estradiol modula o comportamento ingestivo dos animais sob condi??es basais e ap?s a deple??o de s?dio.

In the present study 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) 1A receptor knockout mice (KO), mice overexpressing the 5-HT1A receptor (OE), and wild-type (WT) mice were used to investigate the influence of 5-HT1A receptor on the development of the serotonergic system in the brain, from the embryonic day 12.5 to the postnatal day 15.5. Neither the absence nor the overexpression of 5-HT1A receptor influenced the development and differentiation of serotonergic neurons in the raphe area of the mouse brain. However, a delay in the initial development of the serotonergic projections to the mesencephalic tegmentum, cerebral cortex and hypothalamus was observed in both transgenic mice lines. The brain levels of 5-HT and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid were significantly higher in both transgenic mice lines during the late embryonic and early postnatal periods as compared to WT mice. An increase in the turnover of 5-HT was not observed before the early postnatal period. Both the absence and the overexpression of 5-HT1A receptor delayed the development of the dopaminergic system of the mesencephalic tegmentum in the early embryonic period. In OE mice the postnatal development of the noradrenergic system appeared to be exaggerated. The immunoreactivity for the neurotrophic protein S100ß was higher in the cerebral cortex, striatum and hippocampus of OE mice as compare to WT and KO mice. The expression of synaptic proteins, such as synapatobrevin and synaptotagmin was reduced in KO and OE mice during the early embryonic period. This reduction may be linked to the delayed development of the serotonergic projections and the dopaminergic system. In addition, no influence of 5-HT1A receptor mutations on the myelination of the brain was observed. Zusammenfassung In der vorliegenden Arbeit wurden die 5-Hydroxytryptamin (5-HT)1A Rezeptor Knockout (KO), überexprimierenden (ÜE) Mäuse und die Wild-Typ (WT) Mäuse, in den Entwicklungsperioden vom embryonalen Tag 12,5 bis postnatalen Tag 15,5 untersucht, um weitere Informationen über den Einfluss vom 5-HT1A Rezeptor auf die Entwicklung des serotonergen Systems im Gehirn zu erhalten. Sowohl das Fehlen des 5-HT1A Rezeptors als auch dessen Überexpression hatten zwar keinen Einfluss auf die Entwicklung und Differenzierung der serotonergen Neurone in den Raphe Regionen, verzögerte aber die erste Entwicklung der serotonergen Innervierungen im mesencephalen Tegmentum, Hypothalamus und cerebralen Cortex. In den späten embryonalen und insbesondere frühpostnatalen Perioden waren die 5-HT- und 5-HIAA-Spiegel bei KO und ÜE Mäusen im Vergleich zu WT Mäusen signifikant erhöht. Eine Erhöhung des 5-HT Turnovers wurde erst in der frühpostnatalen Periode beobachtet. Auch die Entwicklung des dopaminergen Systems im Mesencephalon war in der frühen embryonalen Periode sowohl bei KO als auch bei ÜE Mäusen verlangsamt. Die Überexpression des 5-HT1A Rezeptors begünstigte möglicherweise die postnatale Entwicklung des noradrenergen Systems. Bei ÜE Mäusen war die Immunreaktivität des neurotrophen Proteins S100? im cerebralen Cortex, Hippocampus und Striatum stärker als bei WT und KO Mäusen. Die Expression der synaptischen Proteine wie Synaptobrevin und Synaptotagmin war sowohl bei KO als auch bei ÜE Mäusen in der frühen embryonalen Periode verzögert. Dies könnte mit der verzögerten Entwicklung der serotonergen Projektionen und des dopaminergen Systems in Zusammenhang stehen. Darüber hinaus hatten transgene Veränderungen am 5-HT1A Rezeptor keinen Einfluss auf die Myelinisierung im Gehirn der Maus. Schlagwörter: serotonerges System, Entwicklung des Gehirns, 5-HT1A Rezeptor, transgene Mäuse, dopaminerges System, noradrenerges System, S100ß, Synaptisches Protein, Myelinisierung / In the present study 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) 1A receptor knockout mice (KO), mice overexpressing the 5-HT1A receptor (OE), and wild-type (WT) mice were used to investigate the influence of 5-HT1A receptor on the development of the serotonergic system in the brain, from the embryonic day 12.5 to the postnatal day 15.5. Neither the absence nor the overexpression of 5-HT1A receptor influenced the development and differentiation of serotonergic neurons in the raphe area of the mouse brain. However, a delay in the initial development of the serotonergic projections to the mesencephalic tegmentum, cerebral cortex and hypothalamus was observed in both transgenic mice lines. The brain levels of 5-HT and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid were significantly higher in both transgenic mice lines during the late embryonic and early postnatal periods as compared to WT mice. An increase in the turnover of 5-HT was not observed before the early postnatal period. Both the absence and the overexpression of 5-HT1A receptor delayed the development of the dopaminergic system of the mesencephalic tegmentum in the early embryonic period. In OE mice the postnatal development of the noradrenergic system appeared to be exaggerated. The immunoreactivity for the neurotrophic protein S100ß was higher in the cerebral cortex, striatum and hippocampus of OE mice as compare to WT and KO mice. The expression of synaptic proteins, such as synapatobrevin and synaptotagmin was reduced in KO and OE mice during the early embryonic period. This reduction may be linked to the delayed development of the serotonergic projections and the dopaminergic system. In addition, no influence of 5-HT1A receptor mutations on the myelination of the brain was observed.

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / Depression is a serious, recurrent and incapacitating psychiatric condition with a heavy social burden. The pharmacological approach to this disorder employs therapy with antidepressant drugs, which have side effects and numerous limitations. In view of the promising pharmacological properties of containing-selenium molecules, this study evaluated the effect of 3-(4-fluorophenylselenyl)-2,5-diphenylselenophene (DPS) in the mouse forced swim test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST), two models predictive of depressant activity. Since serotonin (5-HT) plays an important role in the pathophysiology of depressive disorders, the involvement of serotonergic system and 5-HT receptors in the action caused by DPS was studied. The antidepressant-like action of combined treatment with subeffective doses of both DPS plus paroxetine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) was investigated. Further, we verified the possible mechanism responsible for antidepressant-like action of DPS. The results showed that DPS (50 and 100 mg/kg, p.o.) significantly reduced the immobility time during the FST and TST, without accompanying changes in ambulation when assessed in the open-field test. The anti-immobility effect of DPS (50 mg/kg, i.g.) in the FST was prevented by pretreatment of mice with pCPA (p-chlorophenylalanine; an inhibitor of 5-HT synthesis, 100 mg/kg, i.p., once a day for 4 consecutive days,), WAY 100635 (N-[2- [4-(2-methoxyphenyl)-1-piperazinyl]ethyl]-N-2-pyridinylcyclohexane carboxamide; 0.1 mg/kg, s.c., a selective 5-HT1A receptor antagonist), ritanserin (1 mg/kg, i.p., a 5-HT2 receptor antagonist) or ondansetron (1 mg/kg, i.p., a 5-HT3 receptor antagonist). Combined treatment with paroxetine and DPS reduced the immobility time in the FST. DPS at the dose of 50 mg/kg did not produce any change in the cerebral activity of monoamine oxidase subtypes (MAO-A or MAO-B). DPS at the dose of 50 mg/kg inhibited significantly 5-HT uptake in mouse brain synaptosomes. These results suggest that DPS produced an antidepressant-like action in the mouse FST and TST and this action seems most likely to be mediated through an interaction with serotonergic system, particularly by 5-HT reuptake inhibition. / A depressão é uma doença grave, recorrente e uma condição psiquiátrica incapacitante que gera pesados custos sociais. A abordagem farmacológica dessa desordem é feita por meio do emprego de antidepressivos, os quais apresentam efeitos adversos e numerosas limitações. Tendo em vista as promissoras propriedades farmacológicas das moléculas contendo selênio, este estudo avaliou o efeito do 3-(4-fluorofenilselenil)-2,5-difenilselenofeno (DPS) no teste do nado forçado (TNF) e no teste da suspensão da cauda (TSC) em camundongos, dois modelos preditivos de comportamento depressivo. Uma vez que a serotonina (5-HT) desempenha um importante papel na patofisiologia dos transtornos depressivos, o envolvimento do sistema serotoninérgico e dos receptores de 5-HT na ação desenvolvida pelo DPS foi estudado. A ação do tipo antidepressiva do tratamento combinado com doses subefetivas de DPS e paroxetina, um inibidor seletivo da recaptação de serotonina (ISRS) foi investigada. Além disso, o possível mecanismo responsável pela ação do tipo antidepressiva do DPS também foi verificado. Os resultados mostram que o DPS (50 e 100 mg/kg) reduziu significativamente o tempo de imobilidade durante os TSC e TNF, sem causar alterações na atividade locomotora no teste do campo aberto (TCA). O efeito anti-imobilidade do DPS (50 mg/kg, i.g.) no TNF foi prevenido pelo pré-tratamento dos animais com pCPA (p-clorofenilalanina; 100 mg/kg, i.p., administrado uma vez ao dia durante 4 dias consecutivos, um inibidor da síntese de serotonina), WAY 100635 (N-[2-[4-(2-metoxifenil)-1-piperazinil]etil]-N-2- piridinilciclohexano carboxamida; 0,1 mg/kg, s.c., um antagonista seletivo de receptores 5- HT1A), ritanserina (1 mg/kg, i.p., um antagonista seletivo de receptores 5-HT2) ou ondansetrona (1 mg/kg, i.p., um antagonista seletivo de receptores 5-HT3). O tratamento combinado com paroxetina e DPS reduziu o tempo de imobilidade no TNF. O DPS na dose de 50 mg/kg não produziu nenhuma alteração na atividade dos subtipos da monoamino oxidase (MAO-A e MAO-B) cerebral. O DPS na dose de 50 mg/kg inibiu significantemente a captação de 5-HT em sinaptossoma de cérebro de camundongos. Esses resultados sugerem que o DPS produziu uma ação do tipo antidepressiva no TSC e no TNF em camundongos e esta ação parece ser mediada por uma interação com o sistema serotoninérgico, particularmente por uma inibição da recaptação de 5-HT.

Los trastornos emocionales de tipo depresivo y la ansiedad son las formas más prevalentes de enfermedad mental y suponen un serio problema de salud en la sociedad occidental. Recientemente, se ha postulado que el sistema endocannabinoide pueda ser un importante sustrato en el desarrollo de estos trastornos dada su participación en el control de las emociones. Nuestros resultados demuestran que los animales carentes del receptor cannabinoide CB1 manifiestan un fenotipo de tipo depresivo asociado a una deficiencia del factor neurotrófico BDNF en el hipocampo, que podría estar causada por los elevados niveles de glucocorticoides liberados en respuesta al estrés en estos mutantes. Por otra parte, el sistema endocannabinoide participa en los efectos inducidos por la nicotina sobre la ansiedad y en la expresión del síndrome de abstinencia de esta droga. Así, la actividad del receptor CB1 alivia los efectos ansiogénicos de dosis elevadas de nicotina y facilita los efectos ansiolíticos de dosis bajas. Además, la administración del agonista cannabinoide 9-THC atenúa las manifestaciones somáticas y emocionales negativas de la abstinencia de nicotina. En general, considerando los resultados presentados en esta Tesis Doctoral, podemos afirmar que el receptor CB1 participa de forma determinante en la recuperación del balance homeostático del organismo tras la exposición a un estímulo emocional negativo, bien sea una situación estresante aguda o sostenida, o bien una droga que incrementa los niveles de ansiedad o cuya retirada produce abstinencia. / Mood disorders such as depression and anxiety are the most common mental diseases and they suppose a serious health problem in our society. Recently, endocannabinoid system has been postulated to be an important substrate in the development of such disorders taking into account the role exerted by this neuromodulatory system in mood and emotions. Our results demonstrate that CB1 knockout mice exhibit a depressive-like phenotype associated to a deficiency in the neurotrophic factor BDNF in the hippocampus, which could be a consequence of the increased glucocorticoid release in response to stress exposure. On the other hand, the endocannabinoid system participates in nicotine induced effects on anxiety and in the expression of nicotine withdrawal. Thus, CB1 receptor activity attenuates anxiogenic-like effects and facilitates anxiolytic-like responses induced by high or low doses of nicotine, respectively. Moreover, 9-THC administration ameliorates somatic and negative motivational signs of nicotine withdrawal. In summary, the results presented in this Doctoral Thesis indicate that CB1 receptor participates in the recovery of the homeostatic balance after the exposure to negative emotional stimuli, either acute or sustained stress or a drug which induced anxiety-like effects or withdrawal signs after the end of the exposure.