Neuroprotective Potential of Biphalin, Multireceptor Opioid Peptide, Against Excitotoxic Injury in Hippocampal Organotypic Culture

Biphalin is a dimeric opioid peptide that exhibits affinity for three types of opioid receptors (MOP, DOP and KOP). Biphalin is undergoing intensive preclinical study. It was recognized that activation of δ-opioid receptor elicits neuroprotection against brain hypoxia and ischemia. We compare the effect of biphalin and morphine and the inhibition of opioid receptors by naltrexone on survival of neurons in rat organotypic hippocampal cultures challenged with NMDA. Findings: (1) 0.025–0.1 μM biphalin reduces NMDA-induced neuronal damage; (2) biphalin neuroprotection is abolished by naltrexone; (3) reduced number of dead cells is shown even if biphalin is applied with delay after NMDA challenge

Methamphetamine withdrawal induces activation of CRF neurons in the brain stress system in parallel with an increased activity of cardiac sympathetic pathways.

Methamphetamine (METH) addiction is a major public health problem in some countries. There is evidence to suggest that METH use is associated with increased risk of developing cardiovascular problems. Here, we investigated the effects of chronic METH administration and withdrawal on the activation of the brain stress system and cardiac sympathetic pathways. Mice were treated with METH (2 mg/kg, i.p.) for 10 days and left to spontaneous withdraw for 7 days. The number of corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF), c-Fos, and CRF/c-Fos neurons was measured by immunohistochemistry in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN) and the oval region of the bed nucleus of stria terminalis (ovBNST), two regions associated with cardiac sympathetic control. In parallel, levels of catechol-o-methyl-transferase (COMT), tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), and heat shock protein 27 (Hsp27) were measured in the heart. In the brain, chronic-METH treatment enhanced the number of c-Fos neurons and the CRF neurons with c-Fos signal (CRF+/c-Fos+) in PVN and ovBNST. METH withdrawal increased the number of CRF+neurons. In the heart, METH administration induced an increase in soluble (S)-COMT and membrane-bound (MB)-COMT without changes in phospho (p)-TH, Hsp27, or pHsp27. Similarly, METH withdrawal increased the expression of S- and MB-COMT. In contrast to chronic treatment, METH withdrawal enhanced levels of (p)TH and (p)Hsp27 in the heart. Overall, our results demonstrate that chronic METH administration and withdrawal activate the brain CRF systems associated with the heart sympathetic control and point towards a METH withdrawal induced activation of sympathetic pathways in the heart. Our findings provide further insight in the mechanism underlining the cardiovascular risk associated with METH use and proposes targets for its treatment

Update of the Scientific Opinion on opium alkaloids in poppy seeds

The CONTAM Panel wishes to thank the hearing experts: Pavel Cihlar, Daniel Doerge and Vaclav Lohr for the support provided to this scientific output. The CONTAM Panel acknowledges all European competent institutions and other stakeholders that provided occurrence data on opium alkaloids in food, and supported the data collection for the Comprehensive European Food Consumption Database. Adopted: 22 March 2018 Reproduction of the images listed below is prohibited and permission must be sought directly from the copyright holder:Figure A.1 in Appendix A: © Elsevier.Peer reviewedPublisher PD

p110γ/δ Double-Deficiency Induces Eosinophilia and IgE Production but Protects from OVA-Induced Airway Inflammation

<div><p>The catalytical isoforms p110γ and p110δ of phosphatidylinositide 3-kinase γ (PI3Kγ) and PI3Kδ play an important role in the pathogenesis of asthma. Two key elements in allergic asthma are increased levels of eosinophils and IgE. Dual pharmacological inhibition of p110γ and p110δ reduces asthma-associated eosinophilic lung infiltration and ameliorates disease symptoms, whereas the absence of enzymatic activity in p110γ^KOδ^D910A mice increases IgE and basal eosinophil counts. This suggests that long-term inhibition of p110γ and p110δ might exacerbate asthma. Here, we analysed mice genetically deficient for both catalytical subunits (p110γ/δ^-/-) and determined basal IgE and eosinophil levels and the immune response to ovalbumin-induced asthma. Serum concentrations of IgE, IL-5 and eosinophil numbers were significantly increased in p110γ/δ^-/- mice compared to single knock-out and wildtype mice. However, p110γ/δ^-/- mice were protected against OVA-induced infiltration of eosinophils, neutrophils, T and B cells into lung tissue and bronchoalveolar space. Moreover, p110γ/δ^-/- mice, but not single knock-out mice, showed a reduced bronchial hyperresponsiveness. We conclude that increased levels of eosinophils and IgE in p110γ/δ^-/- mice do not abolish the protective effect of p110γ/δ-deficiency against OVA-induced allergic airway inflammation.</p></div

Bronchoalveolar infiltration of eosinophils, neutrophils, T and B cells is reduced in OVA-treated p110γ^-/-, p110δ^-/-, and p110γ/δ^-/- mice.

<p>To determine the number of eosinophils, neutrophils, T and B cells in the BALF from OVA-treated and PBS-treated KO and corresponding WT mice, cells were collected, and analysed by flow cytometry. Cell counts were normalised as described in <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0159310#pone.0159310.g002" target="_blank">Fig 2</a>. (<b>A</b>) Eosinophils (eos) in BALF from p110γ^-/- and WT mice (left), from p110δ^-/- and WT mice (middle), and from p110γ/δ^-/- and WT mice (right). (<b>B</b>) Neutrophils (neutros) in BALF from p110γ^-/- and WT mice (left), p110δ^-/- and WT mice (middle), and p110γ/δ^-/- and WT mice (right). (<b>C</b>) T cells in BALF from p110γ^-/- and WT mice (left), p110δ^-/- and WT mice (middle), and p110γ/δ^-/- and WT mice (right). (<b>D</b>) B cells in BALF from p110γ^-/- and WT mice (left), p110δ^-/- and WT mice (middle), and p110γ/δ^-/- and WT mice (right). Data (n = 3–6) are presented as means + SD. Data were analysed by One-way ANOVA followed by Bonferroni’s comparison tests for selected pairs of columns. ⁺⁺⁺ P < 0.001, ⁺⁺ P < 0.01, ⁺ P < 0.05. ⁺ indicate differences between WT PBS and WT OVA groups. ***P < 0.001, **P < 0.01, *P < 0.05. Asterisks indicate differences between OVA-treated groups.</p

Lung tissue infiltration by eosinophils, neutrophils, T and B cells is only reduced in OVA-treated p110δ^-/- and p110γ/δ^-/- mice.

<p>To determine OVA-induced infiltration of immune cell populations into the lung tissue, leukocytes were prepared from lungs after BAL and exsanguination of PBS-treated and OVA-treated KO and corresponding WT mice. Cell populations were analysed by flow cytometry. Cell counts were normalised as described in <a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0159310#pone.0159310.g002" target="_blank">Fig 2</a>. (<b>A</b>) Eosinophils (eos) in lung tissue from p110γ^-/- and WT mice (left), p110δ^-/- and WT mice (middle), and p110γ/δ^-/- and WT mice (right). (<b>B</b>) Neutrophils (neutros) in lung tissue from p110γ^-/- and WT mice (left), p110δ^-/- and WT mice (middle), and p110γ/δ^-/- and WT mice (right). (<b>C</b>) T cells in lung tissue from p110γ^-/- and WT mice (left), p110δ^-/- and WT mice (middle), and p110γ/δ^-/- and WT mice (right). (<b>D</b>) B cells in lung tissue from p110γ^-/- and WT mice (left), p110δ^-/- and WT mice (middle), and p110γ/δ^-/- and WT mice (right). Data (n = 3–6) are presented as means + SD. Data were analysed by One-way ANOVA followed by Bonferroni’s comparison tests for selected pairs of columns. ⁺⁺⁺ P < 0.001, ⁺⁺ P < 0.01, ⁺ P < 0.05. ⁺ indicate differences between WT PBS and WT OVA groups. ***P < 0.001, **P < 0.01, *P < 0.05. Asterisks indicate differences between OVA-treated groups.</p