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4‐Phenylbutyric Acid Protects Against Ethanol‐Induced Damage in the Developing Mouse Brain
Author(s) -
Li Hui,
Wen Wen,
Xu Hong,
Wu Huaxun,
Xu Mei,
Frank Jacqueline A.,
Luo Jia
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
alcoholism: clinical and experimental research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.267
H-Index - 153
eISSN - 1530-0277
pISSN - 0145-6008
DOI - 10.1111/acer.13918
Subject(s) - unfolded protein response , neuroprotection , neurotrophic factors , microglia , endocrinology , chemistry , endoplasmic reticulum , medicine , apoptosis , astrocyte , biology , biochemistry , central nervous system , inflammation , receptor
Background Ethanol (EtOH) exposure during pregnancy may result in fetal alcohol spectrum disorders ( FASD ). One of the most deleterious consequences of EtOH exposure is neuronal loss in the developing brain. Previously, we showed that EtOH exposure induced neuroapoptosis in the brain of postnatal day 4 ( PD 4) mice but not PD 12 mice. This differential susceptibility may result from an insufficient cellular stress response system such as unfolded protein response (also known as endoplasmic reticulum [ ER ] stress) in PD 4 mice. In this study, we compared the effect of EtOH on ER stress in PD 4 and PD 12 mice and determined whether the inhibition of ER stress could protect the developing brain against EtOH damage. Methods We used a third‐trimester equivalent mouse model of FASD . PD 4 and PD 12 C57 BL /6 mice were subcutaneously injected with saline (control), EtOH, EtOH plus 4‐phenylbutyric acid (4‐ PBA ), a chemical chaperone known as ER stress inhibitor, and 4‐ PBA alone. The expression of apoptosis marker, ER stress markers, and markers for glial cell activation was examined in the cerebral cortex. Results EtOH induced neuroapoptosis and increased the expression of ER stress markers, such as activating transcription factor 6, 78‐ kD a glucose‐regulated protein, inositol‐requiring enzyme 1α, mesencephalic astrocyte‐derived neurotrophic factor, and caspase‐12 in PD 4 but not PD 12 mice. EtOH exposure also activated microglia and astrocytes. Interestingly, treatment with 4‐ PBA attenuated EtOH‐induced neuroapoptosis. Moreover, 4‐ PBA inhibited the expression of the aforementioned ER stress markers and EtOH‐induced glial activation in PD 4 mice. Conclusions ER stress plays an important role in EtOH‐induced damage to the developing brain. Inhibition of ER stress is neuroprotective and may provide a new therapeutic strategy for treating FASD .