Sex-specific responses to juvenile stress on the dopaminergic system in an animal model of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder - 26/02/23


Abstract |
The etiology of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) strongly suggests a genetic component as the main cause; however, environmental factors such as early adverse experiences in childhood may play an interactive role with the genetic susceptibility. Spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs), a genetic ADHD model, and control Wistar Kyoto rats (WKYs) were subjected to chronic unpredictable mild stress during the juvenile period. The behavioral characteristics were monitored, and dopamine-related factors in the core regions of dopaminergic pathways were measured. Higher ADHD symptom-related behaviors were observed in response to juvenile stress in male SHRs than control WKYs. For the SHRs subjected to juvenile stress, hyperactivity in males, recognition in females, and depressant potential in both sexes were markedly observed. In the expression of 17 dopamine-related genes and proteins, greater changes were detected in male SHRs subjected to juvenile stress, especially in dopamine metabolic factors. Dopamine clearance factors involved in dopamine degradation and transport, especially catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) and dopamine transporter (DAT), showed sex-specific differences induced by juvenile stress in dopamine metabolite assays. Moreover, stressed male SHRs treated with methylphenidate showed better improvement in behavior than the females, resulting in different levels of COMT and DAT amelioration. These results suggest that juvenile stress potentially increased the incidence of ADHD in a genetic rat model, which showed sex-specific differences based on the expression of COMT and DAT. Therefore, our results could help develop gender-specific diagnostics and healthcare options for juvenile stress in patients with ADHD.
Le texte complet de cet article est disponible en PDF.Graphical Abstract |
Highlights |
• | Sex-specific behaviors by juvenile stress included marked changes in hyperactivity in males and cognitive changes in females. |
• | Sex-specific alterations by juvenile stress were observed in dopamine clearance factors—COMT and DAT. |
• | Methylphenidate showed more beneficial effects in males than in females by inhibiting COMT and DAT. |
Abbreviations : ADHD, SHR, WKY, CUMS, OPR, SPT, TST, PFC, SN/VTA, PCR, LC-MS, ELISA, MAOA, COMT, DAT, MPH, TH, VMAT2, SRY, STS, DA, 3-MT, DOPAC, HVA
Keywords : Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, Sex, Juvenile stress, Dopaminergic pathway, Catechol-O-methyltransferase, Dopamine transporter
Plan
Vol 160
Article 114352- avril 2023 Retour au numéroBienvenue sur EM-consulte, la référence des professionnels de santé.
L’accès au texte intégral de cet article nécessite un abonnement.
Déjà abonné à cette revue ?