Person: Marco López, Eva María
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First Name
Eva María
Last Name
Marco López
Affiliation
Universidad Complutense de Madrid
Faculty / Institute
Ciencias Biológicas
Department
Genética, Fisiología y Microbiología
Area
Fisiología
Identifiers
19 results
Search Results
Now showing 1 - 10 of 19
Item Sex-dependent influence of chronic mild stress (CMS) on voluntary alcohol consumption; study of neurobiological consequences(Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior, 2017) Marco López, Eva María; Ballesta, Javier Antonio; Irala, Carlos; Hernández, María Donina; Serrano, María Elisa; Mela Rivas, Virginia; LópezGallardo, Meritxell; Viveros, María PazAlcohol use disorder and depression are highly comorbid, and both conditions exhibit important sexual dimorphisms. Here, we aimed to investigate voluntary alcohol consumption after 6 weeks of chronic mild stress (CMS) in Wistar rats – employed as an animal model of depression. Male and female rats were investigated, and changes in several molecular markers were analysed in frontal cortex (FCx) and hippocampal formation (HF). CMS induced depressive-like responses in the forced swimming test - increased immobility time - in male and female animals, without affecting anhedonia (sucrose preference test) nor motor activity (holeboard); body weight gain and food intake were diminished only among CMS males. Voluntary alcohol consumption was evaluated in a two-bottle choice paradigm (ethanol 20% versus tap water) for 4 consecutive days; females exhibited a higher preference for alcohol compared to male animals. In particular, alcohol consumption was significantly higher among CMS females compared to CMS male animals. Remarkably, similar changes in both male and female animals exposed to CMS were observed regarding the expression levels of NCAM-140 KDa (decrease), GFAP and CB1R expression (increase) within the FCx as well as for HF PSD-95 levels (increase). However, contrasting effects in males and females were reported in relation to synaptophysin (SYN) protein levels within the FCx, HF CB1R expression (a decrease among male animals but an increase in females); while the opposite pattern was observed for NCAM-140 KDa protein levels in the HF. A decrease in CB2R expression was only observed in the HF of CMS-females. The present study suggests that male and female animals might be differentially affected by CMS regarding later voluntary alcohol consumption. In this initial approach, cortical SYN, and NCAM-140 KDa, CB1R and CB2R expression within the HF have arisen as potential candidates to explain such sex differences in behaviour. However, the depression-alcoholism relationship still deserves further investigation.Item Disrupted Circadian Rhythm as a Common Player in Developmental Models of Neuropsychiatric Disorders(Current Topics in Behavioral Neurosciences, 2016) Marco López, Eva María; Velarde, Elena; Llorente, Ricardo; Laviola, GiovanniThe environment in which individuals develop and mature is critical for their physiological and psychological outcome; in particular, the intrauterine environment has reached far more clinical relevance given its potential influence on shaping brain function and thus mental health. Gestational stress and/or maternal infection during pregnancy has been related with an increased incidence of neuropsychiatric disorders, including depression and schizophrenia. In this framework, the use of animal models has allowed a formal and deep investigation of causal determinants. Despite disruption of circadian clocks often represents a hallmark of several neuropsychiatric disorders, the relationship between disruption of brain development and the circadian system has been scarcely investigated. Nowadays, there is an increasing amount of studies suggesting a link between circadian system malfunction, early-life insults and the appearance of neuropsychiatric diseases at adulthood. Here, we briefly review evidence from clinical literature and animal models suggesting that the exposure to prenatal insults, i.e. severe gestational stress or maternal immune activation, changes the foetal hormonal milieu increasing the circulating levels of both glucocorticoids and pro-inflammatory cytokines. These two biological events have been reported to affect genes expression in experimental models and critically interfere with brain development triggering and/or exacerbating behavioural anomalies in the offspring. Herein, we highlight the importance.Item Is saffron able to prevent the dysregulation of retinal cytokines induced by ocular hypertension in mice?(Journal of Clinical Medicine, 2021) Fernández Albarral, José Antonio; Martínez López, Miguel Ángel; Marco López, Eva María; Hoz Montañana, María Rosa De; Martín Sánchez, Beatriz; San Felipe Riba, Diego; García Martín, Elena Salobrar; López Cuenca, Inés; Pinazo Durán, Mª Dolores; Salazar Corral, Juan José; Ramírez Sebastián, José Manuel; López-Gallardo, Meritxell; Ramírez Sebastián, Ana IsabelCytokine- and chemokine-mediated signalling is involved in the neuroinflammatory process that leads to retinal ganglion cell (RGC) damage in glaucoma. Substances with anti-inflammatory properties could decrease these cytokines and chemokines and thus prevent RGC death. The authors of this study analysed the anti-inflammatory effect of a hydrophilic saffron extract standardized to 3% crocin content, focusing on the regulation of cytokine and chemokine production, in a mouse model of unilateral laser-induced ocular hypertension (OHT). We demonstrated that following saffron treatment, most of the concentration of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-17), anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4 and IL-10), Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF), Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF), and fractalkine were unaffected in response to laser-induced OHT in both the OHT eye and its contralateral eye. Only IL-6 levels were significantly increased in the OHT eye one day after laser induction compared with the control group. These results differed from those observed in animals subjected to unilateral OHT and not treated with saffron, where changes in cytokine levels occurred in both eyes. Therefore, saffron extract regulates the production of proinflammatory cytokines, VEGF, and fractalkine induced by increasing intraocular pressure (IOP), protecting the retina from inflammation. These results indicate that saffron could be beneficial in glaucoma by helping to reduce the inflammatory processItem Abstinent patients with alcohol use disorders show an altered plasma cytokine profile: identification of both interleukin 6 and interleukin 17A as potential biomarkers of consumption and comorbid liver and pancreatic diseases(Journal of Psychopharmacology, 2020) García-Marchena, Nuria; Maza-Quiroga, Rosa; Serrano, Antonia; Barrios, Vicente; Requena-Ocaña, Nerea; Suárez, Juan; Ann Chowen, Julie; Argente, Jesús; Rubio, Gabriel; Torrens, Marta; López-Gallardo, Meritxell; Marco López, Eva María; Castilla-Ortega, Estela; Santín, Luis Javier; Rodríguez de Fonseca, Fernando; Pavón, Francisco Javier; Araos, PedroBackground: Recent studies have demonstrated that alcohol consumption can modulate the immune system by directly activating natural immunity and triggering inflammatory processes in the central nervous system and in peripheral organs, such as the liver and pancreas. Patients with alcohol use disorders have an elevated frequency of comorbid mental disorders and gut diseases (i.e. fatty liver and pancreatitis) that complicate diagnosis, treatment and prognosis. Aims: The present study aims to explore possible associations in circulating plasma cytokine concentrations in abstinent patients diagnosed with alcohol use disorders. Methods: To this end, 85 abstinent subjects with alcohol use disorders from an outpatient setting and 55 healthy subjects were evaluated for both substance and mental disorders. The plasma levels of cytokines interleukin 1 beta, interleukin 4, interleukin 6, interleukin 17A, interferon gamma and tumour necrosis alpha were determined and their association with (a) history of alcohol consumption, (b) psychiatric comorbidity and (c) liver/ pancreas comorbidities was explored. Results: We found that plasma concentrations of interleukin 1 beta, interleukin 6 and tumour necrosis alpha were increased, whereas plasma concentrations of interleukin 4, interleukin 17A and interferon gamma were decreased in abstinent alcohol use disorder patients as compared with control subjects. Moreover, we found that changes in interleukin 6 and interleukin 17A plasma concentrations in alcohol use disorder patients were associated with the presence of liver and pancreatic diseases. Conclusion: The present results suggest alcohol use disorder is associated with alterations of plasma cytokines, being interleukin 6 and interleukin 17A potential biomarkers of the presence of comorbidities of digestive organs. The clinical relevance of these findings is discussed in the context of alcohol-induced inflammatory processes.Item Probiotics in digestive, emotional, and pain-related disorders(Behavioural Pharmacology, 2018) Roman, Pablo; Abalo, Raquel; Marco López, Eva María; Cardona, DianaIn recent years, interest in the relationship between gut microbiota and disease states has grown considerably. Indeed, several strategies have been employed to modify the microbiome through the administration of different diets, by the administration of antibiotics or probiotics, or even by transplantation of feces. In the present manuscript, we focus specifically on the potential application of probiotics, which seem to be a safe strategy, in the management of digestive, pain, and emotional disorders. We present evidence from animal models and human studies, notwithstanding that translation to clinic still deserves further investigation. The microbiome influences gut functions as well as neurological activity by a variety of mechanisms, which are also discussed. The design and performance of larger trials is urgently needed to verify whether these new strategies might be useful not only for the treatment of disorders affecting the gastrointestinal tract but also in the management of emotional and pain disorders not directly related to the gut.Item Commentary on “Rett syndrome before regression: A time window of overlooked opportunities for diagnosis and intervention” by Cosentino et al.(Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews, 2019) Marco López, Eva MaríaItem Age-Dependent Effects of Cannabinoids on Neurophysiological, Emotional, and Motivational States(Cannabinoid moldulation of emotion, memory, and motivation, 2015) Viveros, María Paz; Marco López, Eva MaríaCannabis sativa preparations are among the illicit drugs most commonly used by young people, including pregnant women. The endocannabinoid (eCB) system, which is involved in the regulation of emotional and motivational homeostasis, synaptic plasticity and cognitive functions, also plays a critical role in diverse phases of brain development. Both perinatal and periadolescent periods are critical for brain eCB system development. Thus, interference of endocannabinoid signalling by cannabis exposure may contribute to explain the enduring negative impact of cannabis on neurodevelopmental processes and the resulting psycho-physio-pathological consequences. In the present chapter we describe and discuss published data dealing with the long-term neurobehavioural effects of cannabis exposure during the prenatal and adolescent periods. Human studies have demonstrated that marijuana consumption by pregnant women critically affects the neurobehavioural development of their children. Investigations using animal models provide useful information for a better understanding of the long-lasting deleterious consequences of cannabis exposure during pregnancy and lactation. Increasing use of cannabis among adolescents is a matter of great public concern that has led to a parallel increase in research on appropriate animal models. Chronic administration of cannabinoid agonists during the periadolescent period causes persistent behavioural alterations related to cognitive deficits, increased risk of psychosis, mood disorders and addiction to cannabis and other drugs of abuse. The underlying mechanisms by which cannabis use may lead to these disorders, including genetic vulnerability and the increasing content of the main psychoactive ingredient in cannabis preparations, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), will be discussed. To conclude, prevention and therapeutic strategies based on scientific knowledge will be proposed.Item Evaluation of plasma cytokines in patients with cocaine use disorders in abstinence identifies transforming growth factor alpha (TGFα) as a potential biomarker of consumption and dual diagnosis(PeerJ, 2017) Maza Quiroga, Rosa; García Marchena, Nuria; Romero Sanchiz, Pablo; Barrios, Vicente; Pedraz, María; Serrano, Antonia; Nogueira Arjona, Raquel; Ruiz, Juan Jesús; Soria, Maribel; Campos, Rafael; Chowen, Julie Ann; Argente, Jesús; Torrens, Marta; López Gallardo, Meritxell; Marco López, Eva María; Rodríguez de Fonseca, Fernando; Pavón, Francisco Javier; Araos, PedroBACKGROUND: Cocaine use disorder (CUD) is a complex health condition, especially when it is accompanied by comorbid psychiatric disorders (dual diagnosis). Dual diagnosis is associated with difficulties in the stratification and treatment of patients. One of the major challenges in clinical practice of addiction psychiatry is the lack of objective biological markers that indicate the degree of consumption, severity of addiction, level of toxicity and response to treatment in patients with CUD. These potential biomarkers would be fundamental players in the diagnosis, stratification, prognosis and therapeutic orientation in addiction. Due to growing evidence of the involvement of the immune system in addiction and psychiatric disorders, we tested the hypothesis that patients with CUD in abstinence might have altered circulating levels of signaling proteins related to systemic inflammation. METHODS: The study was designed as a cross-sectional study of CUD treatment-seeking patients. These patients were recruited from outpatient programs in the province of Malaga (Spain). The study was performed with a total of 160 white Caucasian subjects, who were divided into the following groups: patients diagnosed with CUD in abstinence (N = 79, cocaine group) and matched control subjects (N = 81, control group). Participants were clinically evaluated with the diagnostic interview PRISM according to the DSM-IV-TR, and blood samples were collected for the determination of chemokine C-C motif ligand 11 (CCL11, eotaxin-1), interferon gamma (IFNγ), interleukin-4 (IL-4), interleukin-8 (IL-8), interleukin-17α (IL-17α), macrophage inflammatory protein 1α (MIP-1α) and transforming growth factor α (TGFα) levels in the plasma. Clinical and biochemical data were analyzed in order to find relationships between variables. RESULTS: While 57% of patients with CUD were diagnosed with dual diagnosis, approximately 73% of patients had other substance use disorders. Cocaine patients displayed greater cocaine symptom severity when they were diagnosed with psychiatric comorbidity. Regarding inflammatory factors, we observed significantly lower plasma levels of IL-17α (p < 0.001), MIP-1α (p < 0.001) and TGFα (p < 0.05) in the cocaine group compared with the levels in the control group. Finally, there was a significant primary effect of dual diagnosis on the plasma concentrations of TGFα (p < 0.05) in the cocaine group, and these levels were lower in patients with dual diagnoses. DISCUSSION: IL-17α, MIP-1α and TGFα levels are different between the cocaine and control groups, and TGFα levels facilitate the identification of patients with dual diagnosis. Because TGFα reduction is associated with enhanced responses to cocaine in preclinical models, we propose TGFα as a potential biomarker of complex CUD in humans.Item Upregulation of TLR4/MyD88 pathway in alcohol-induced Wernicke's encephalopathy: Findings in preclinical models and in a postmortem human case(Frontiers in Pharmacology, 2022) Moya Montes, Marta; Escudero Moreno, Berta; Gómez-Blázquez, Elena; Rebolledo Poves, Ana Belén; López Gallardo, Meritxell; Guerrero, Carmen; Marco López, Eva María; Orio Ortiz, LauraWernicke's encephalopathy (WE) is a neurologic disease caused by vitamin B1 or thiamine deficiency (TD), being the alcohol use disorder its main risk factor. WE patients present limiting motor, cognitive, and emotional alterations related to a selective cerebral vulnerability. Neuroinflammation has been proposed to be one of the phenomena that contribute to brain damage. Our previous studies provide evidence for the involvement of the innate immune receptor Toll-like (TLR)4 in the inflammatory response induced in the frontal cortex and cerebellum in TD animal models (animals fed with TD diet [TDD] and receiving pyrithiamine). Nevertheless, the effects of the combination of chronic alcohol consumption and TD on TLR4 and their specific contribution to the pathogenesis of WE are currently unknown. In addition, no studies on TLR4 have been conducted on WE patients since brains from these patients are difficult to achieve. Here, we used rat models of chronic alcohol (CA; 9 months of forced consumption of 20% (w/v) alcohol), TD hit (TDD + daily 0.25 mg/kg i.p. pyrithiamine during 12 days), or combined treatment (CA + TDD) to check the activation of the proinflammatory TLR4/MyD88 pathway and related markers in the frontal cortex and the cerebellum. In addition, we characterized for the first time the TLR4 and its coreceptor MyD88 signature, along with other markers of this proinflammatory signaling such as phospo-NFκB p65 and IκBα, in the postmortem human frontal cortex and cerebellum (gray and white matter) of an alcohol-induced WE patient, comparing it with negative (no disease) and positive (aged brain with Alzheimer's disease) control subjects for neuroinflammation. We found an increase in the cortical TLR4 and its adaptor molecule MyD88, together with an upregulation of the proinflammatory signaling molecules p-NF-ĸB and IĸBα in the CA + TDD animal model. In the patient diagnosed with alcohol-induced WE, we observed cortical and cerebellar upregulation of the TLR4/MyD88 pathway. Hence, our findings provide evidence, both in the animal model and the human postmortem brain, of the upregulation of the TLR4/MyD88 proinflammatory pathway in alcohol consumption-related WE.Item The maternal deprivation animal model revisited(Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews, 2015) Marco López, Eva María; Llorente, Ricardo; López Gallardo, Meritxell; Mela Rivas, Virginia; Llorente Berzal, Álvaro; Prada, Carmen; Viveros, María PazEarly life stress, in the form of MD (24 h at pnd 9), interferes with brain developmental trajectories modifying both behavioral and neurobiochemical parameters. MD has been reported to enhance neuroendocrine responses to stress, to affect emotional behavior and to impair cognitive function. More recently, changes in body weight gain, metabolic parameters and immunological responding have also been described. Present data give support to the fact that neuronal degeneration and/or astrocyte proliferation are present in specific brain regions, mainly hippocampus, prefrontal cortex and hypothalamus, which are particularly vulnerable to the effects of neonatal stress. The MD animal model arises as a valuable tool for the investigation of the brain processes occurring at the narrow time window comprised between pnd 9 and 10 that are critical for the establishment of brain circuitries critical for the regulation of behavior, metabolism and energy homeostasis. In the present review we will discuss three possible mechanisms that might be crucial for the effects of MD, namely, the rapid increase in glucocorticoids,the lack ofthe neonatal leptin surge, and the enhanced endocannabinoid signaling during the specific critical period of MD. A better understanding of the mechanisms underlying the detrimental consequences of MD is a concern for public health and may provide new insights into mental health prevention strategies and into novel therapeutic approaches in neuropsychiatry.