Alterations in hepatocyte insulin binding in chronic pancreatitis: effects of pancreatic polypeptide

BACKGROUND

Hepatic insulin resistance has previously been demonstrated in chronic pancreatitis, and has been shown to be ameliorated by pancreatic polypeptide administration. Insulin binding was investigated in chronic pancreatitis induced by infusion of oleic acid into the pancreatic duct of rats.

METHODS

Acute pancreatitis was induced in 12 200 to 225 g 8-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats by intubation of the main bile duct at its junction with the duodenum through a small midline abdominal incision, and infusion of 99% oleic acid 0.015 mL/min for 4 minutes, with an additional 4 minutes dwell-time after infusion. Sham-operated animals served as controls. After 6 weeks, chronic pancreatitic and sham-operated animals received either intraperitoneal bovine pancreatic polypeptide or saline vehicle for 5 days. Intraduodenal glucose tolerance tests (GTT) were performed in fasted animals, after which tissues were procured. Insulin receptors were isolated from solubilized hepatocyte and rectus abdominus membranes and competitive-binding studies were performed by incubation with 125I-insulin. Dissociation coefficients (Kd) and maximum binding capacities (Bmax) for high-affinity receptors were derived from Scatchard analyses.

RESULTS

Bmax and Kd in muscle were not altered in animals with chronic pancreatitis. In liver, Bmax was significantly less in rats with chronic pancreatitis given saline than in sham-operated rats given saline (17.0 +/- 6.3 versus 47.6 +/- 13.1 fmol/mg protein; data are mean +/- SEM). Pancreatic polypeptide administration increased hepatic Bmax in rats with chronic pancreatitis (to 47.2 +/- 9.8 fmol/mg protein), but had no significant effect in sham-operated rats. Receptor affinity was not significantly different in rats with chronic pancreatitis or rats who underwent sham operations and was unaltered by the administration of pancreatic polypeptide. The integrated plasma glucose response during the GTT was reduced by pancreatic polypeptide administration in rats with chronic pancreatitis (29.5 +/- 15.0 mg/dL per minute versus 69.0 +/- 21.8 in chronic pancreatitis without pancreatic polypeptide), but was not significantly altered in sham-operated animals.

CONCLUSION

Diminished expression of high-affinity receptors on the hepatocyte membrane may contribute to hepatic insulin resistance in chronic pancreatitis. In this model, pancreatic polypeptide improved glucose tolerance and increased receptor capacity to the level observed in livers from nonpancreatitic animals.

Pancreatic polypeptide and splanchnic blood flow in anesthetized rats

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of pancreatic polypeptide (PP) on splanchnic blood flow in anesthetized rats. For this purpose, either PP dissolved in saline (225, 450, or 900 pmol/kg body weight/h) or saline alone was infused at a rate of 2 ml/h for 30 min. Immediately after the infusion the blood flow to the whole pancreas, islets, duodenum, and colon was measured with a microsphere technique. The highest dose of PP caused a small decrease in mean arterial blood pressure. The two lowest doses decreased duodenal blood flow, but did not affect the blood perfusion to the other investigated organs. The highest dose of PP decreased the blood flow to the pancreas, islets, and duodenum, did not affect colonic blood flow. No change in the fraction of whole pancreatic blood flow diverted through the islets could be seen after PP administration. It is concluded that administration of high doses of PP induces a general splanchnic vasoconstriction.

Pancreatic polypeptide enhances plasma glucocorticoid concentration in rats: possible role in hypoglycemic stress

The acute bolus intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of pancreatic polypeptide (PP) dose-dependently enhanced the plasma concentration of corticosterone (PBC) in hypophysectomized/ACTH replaced rats, but not that of aldosterone. Minimal and maximal effective doses were 10(-12) and 10(-10) mol/rat, respectively, and maximal PBC increase occurred between 60 and 120 min after PP injection. Insulin (1 U/kg, i.p.) evoked a net decrease in the blood glucose concentration, and marked rises in the plasma levels of PP and PBC, that attained their maximum at 60 and 120 min, respectively. The effects of insulin were annulled by the simultaneous injection of 0.5 mg/kg atropine. The effects of 1 U/kg insulin and 10(-10) mol/rat PP on PBC were not additive; atropine did not affect PBC response to PP or PP plus insulin, though annulling that to insulin alone. Taken together these findings suggest that PP plays a physiologic role in the rat as modulator of the adrenal response to the insulin-induced hypoglycemic stress.

Vagal efferent nerve-dependent inhibitory action of pancreatic polypeptide and peptide YY in conscious rats: comparison with somatostatin

The release of pancreatic polypeptide (PP) and peptide YY (PYY) is regulated by the vagal nerve, and the inhibitory effect of these peptides on pancreatic exocrine secretion shows indirectly via a neural mechanism. To determine the role of the vagal nerve on the inhibitory action of these peptides on the pancreas, we compared the effect on the pancreatic response to bile and pancreatic juice diversion in conscious rats with and without vagotomy. We also studied this response in rats treated with capsaicin, because bile-pancreatic juice diversion is the most potent endogenous stimulation of pancreatic secretion in conscious rats. In addition, since somatostatin potently inhibits of pancreatic enzyme secretion, the effects of PP and PYY were compared with somatostatin. An intravenous infusion of 2.5 nmol/kg per h of PP and PYY significantly inhibited the pancreatic responses of bile and pancreatic juice diversion in animals with an intact vagal nerve and in those treated with capsaicin, whereas the same dose of peptides failed to inhibit pancreatic secretion in vagotomized rats. Somatostatin inhibited pancreatic secretion under all conditions tested. We concluded that the inhibitory action of PP and PYY on pancreatic secretion is fully mediated by the vagal efferent nerve although other multiple mechanisms are involved for the inhibitory action of somatostatin.

[Role of polypeptides of pancreatic juice in the healing of intestinal anastomosis]

The possibility of using the polypeptide fraction of the pancreatic juice to accelerate healing of an intestinal anastomosis was studied in experiments. It was shown that the pancreatic polypeptides possess the properties of potential growth factors: after a single injection of these substances into the zone of the anastomosis during the operation, the synthesis of DNA and proteins in the tissues of the anastomosed intestinal segments essentially increases, which is evidence of stimulation of cell proliferation. Intensification of the proliferative processes in the tissues of the anastomosis improves the qualitative characteristics of the muscular suture-mechanical strength and biological air-tightness. The use of pancreatic polypeptides for acceleration of healing of an anastomosis formed in peritonitis showed this nontraditional method of protection of the intestinal suture to be very effective.

Stimulation of gastric secretion and enhanced gastric mucosal damage following central administration of pancreatic polypeptide (PP) in rats

The present study was carried out to investigate the central effects of pancreatic polypeptide on gastric secretion and gastric ulcer formation in conscious rats. Intracisternal injection of rat pancreatic polypeptide (62.5, 250, and 1000 ng/rat) into pylorus-ligated rats resulted in a dose-dependent stimulation of gastric acid and pepsin secretion. In contrast, intraperitoneal injection of even higher doses of pancreatic polypeptide (250, 1000, and 2500 ng/rat) failed to increase gastric secretion. This stimulatory effect of centrally administered pancreatic polypeptide was completely blocked by vagotomy and by pretreatment with atropine. Intracisternal injection of PP (500-2000 ng/rat) dose-dependently increased the severity of gastric lesions induced by 2-deoxy-D-glucose or indomethacin. In contrast, intraperitoneal injection of PP failed to increase the severity of the gastric lesions induced by 2-deoxy-D-glucose or indomethacin. These results indicate that pancreatic polypeptide is capable of acting centrally in the brain to stimulate gastric acid and pepsin secretion through a vagal, muscarinic pathway and in so doing exerts an ulcerogenic action on the gastric mucosa.

Skin peptide tyrosine-tyrosine, a member of the pancreatic polypeptide family: isolation, structure, synthesis, and endocrine activity

Pancreatic polypeptide, peptide tyrosine-tyrosine (PYY), and neuropeptide tyrosine (NPY), three members of a family of structurally related peptides, are mainly expressed in the endocrine pancreas, in endocrine cells of the gut, and in the brain, respectively. In the present study, we have isolated a peptide of the pancreatic polypeptide family from the skin of the South American arboreal frog Phyllomedusa bicolor. The primary structure of the peptide was established as Tyr-Pro-Pro-Lys-Pro-Glu-Ser-Pro-Gly-Glu10-Asp-Ala-Ser-Pro-Glu-Glu- Met-Asn- Lys-Tyr20-Leu-Thr-Ala-Leu-Arg-His-Tyr-Ile-Asn-Leu30-Val-Thr- Arg-Gln-Arg-Tyr-NH2 . This unusual peptide, named skin peptide tyrosine-tyrosine (SPYY), exhibits 94% similarity with PYY from the frog Rana ridibunda. A synthetic replicate of SPYY inhibits melanotropin release from perifused frog neurointermediate lobes in very much the same way as NPY. These results demonstrate the occurrence of a PYY-like peptide in frog skin. Our data also suggest the existence of a pituitary-skin regulatory loop in amphibians.

Physiology of the vas deferens

Seminal emission occurs in response to rhythmic contractions of male secondary sex organs, including the vas deferens. Although contraction of the vas is directly due to adrenergic mechanisms, numerous substances modulate the release of norepinephrine from sympathetic pathways. These substances include local endogenous factors and neurotransmitters such as acetylcholine and NPY. Many substances are capable of altering the contractility of the vas deferens by modulating neural transmitter release or the basal tone of this smooth muscle. Because multiple pathways and substrates are capable of affecting its contractility, it is not surprising that drugs and metabolic disorders influence the function of the vas deferens and, ultimately, male fertility.

Intracisternal injection of pancreatic polypeptide stimulates gastric emptying in rats

In the present study, we evaluated the effects of central administration of pancreatic polypeptide (PP) on gastric emptying of a liquid meal in conscious rats using a phenol red method. Intracisternal injection of PP (0.5-2.0 micrograms) speeds gastric emptying of a test meal in a dose-dependent manner. In contrast, i.p. injection of PP at the same doses inhibited gastric emptying in a dose-related fashion. Bilateral gastric branch vagotomy abolished the increase in gastric emptying evoked by intracisternal PP. These results demonstrate that PP speeds gastric emptying through the vagal system when given centrally but slows emptying when given peripherally.

Canine, human, and rat plasma insulin responses to galanin administration: species response differences

Previous studies demonstrated that porcine galanin is a potent inhibitor of insulin secretion in many species but fails to alter human insulin secretion. To resolve whether this discrepancy was due to the use of a heterologous peptide or to a true species response difference, we studied the effect of a synthetic replicate of human galanin on glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in rats, dogs, and humans. On administration into rats, human and rat galanin significantly inhibited glucose-induced insulin responses to a similar degree. Similarly, porcine and human galanin significantly elevated canine plasma glucose and inhibited canine plasma insulin responses. In contrast, plasma glucose and insulin responses to glucose administration in humans were unaltered by the addition of human galanin at or above the maximum effective dose employed in dogs. Possible effects of galanin administration were seen on human glucagon and pancreatic polypeptide responses to glucose at the highest dose of human galanin infused. We conclude that galanin probably does not play a major role in modulating human beta-cell function.

Effects of pancreatic polypeptide family peptides on feeding and learning behavior in mice

We studied the effects of intra-third cerebroventricular administration of neuropeptide Y (NPY), peptide YY (PYY) and pancreatic polypeptide (PP) on the locomotor activity and the feeding and learning behavior of mice. NPY (0.3-10 micrograms), PYY (0.1-10 micrograms) and PP (3.0-10 micrograms) produced significant increases in locomotor activity. A significant decrease was then observed 15 min after administration of 10 micrograms of PYY. NPY, PYY and PP significantly increased food intake at 20 min and this effect continued for 2 to 4 hr at the high doses. The feeding response to PP family peptides were quite similar to that in locomotor activity with respect to dose-response, time course and peptide specificity. Learning behaviors were evaluated at three different stages of memory processing, acquisition, consolidation and retrieval, in a battery of step-down type passive avoidance tests. NPY and PYY had no effect on acquisition, but significantly improved consolidation at a dose of 0.03 and 0.3 microgram, respectively. NPY also improved retrieval at a dose of 0.03 microgram. The ranking order of potency in stimulating feeding and locomotor activity was PYY > NPY > PP, and in improving memory consolidation NPY > PYY >> PP. These observations suggest that NPY and PYY influence different neural substrates in the brain involved in feeding and learning.

Pancreatic polypeptide in dorsal vagal complex stimulates gastric acid secretion and motility in rats

High concentrations of receptors for pancreatic polypeptide (PP), a pancreatic hormone, were recently discovered in the dorsomedial region of the dorsal vagal complex (DVC). We hypothesized that gastric acid secretion and motility, digestive functions strongly influenced by vagovagal reflexes organized within the DVC, would be affected by PP applied directly to this vagal sensorimotor integration area. After urethan-anesthetized rats were prepared for antral motility recording or titrometric analysis of gastric acid output, phosphate-buffered saline or various doses of PP in phosphate-buffered saline were micropressure injected into the medial DVC. Injections of PP into the DVC produced significant, long-lasting, and dose-dependent increases in gastric acid secretion and antral motility. These gastric responses were blocked by bilateral cervical vagotomy and by atropine, suggesting that intramedullary PP stimulates vagal cholinergic pathways, resulting in enhanced gastric functions. Because PP is not synthesized within the central nervous system, these results point to a new mechanism whereby the digestive tract may modulate its own autonomic control: direct humoral action on vagovagal reflex circuits within the brain stem.

Enhanced lipolysis from broiler adipocytes pretreated with pancreatic polypeptide

Broiler adipocytes in culture were used to determine whether prolonged preincubation with an antilipolytic hormone, pancreatic polypeptide, enhances lipolysis by inducing desensitization of lipolysis inhibition. Preincubation of broiler adipocytes with pancreatic polypeptide resulted in a dose-response and time-dependent enhancement (P < .05) of basal and glucagon-stimulated lipolysis. Lipolysis was enhanced at 4 and 24 h but not at .5 h of pretreatment. Acute inhibition of basal lipolysis was unaffected by long-term (24 h) exposure of adipocytes to a maximally effective dose (12 nM) of pancreatic polypeptide. Thus, desensitization of lipolysis inhibition cannot explain the enhanced lipolysis from pancreatic polypeptide-treated adipocytes. However, preincubation with 12 nM pancreatic polypeptide for 24 h reduced (P < .05) pancreatic polypeptide and somatostatin inhibition of lipolysis stimulated by glucagon. Moreover, basal lipolysis and submaximal lipolysis were enhanced to a similar extent (27 vs 29 nmol/h) but to a greater (P < .05) extent (27 vs 13 nmol/h) than maximal lipolysis when adipocytes were exposed to 12 nM pancreatic polypeptide for 24 h. These results suggest that the enhanced lipolysis induced by prolonged exposure of adipocytes to pancreatic polypeptide resulted from increased activity of hormone-sensitive lipase and activators of this enzyme and not from attenuation of lipolysis inhibition.

Peripheral modulation of duodenal and colonic motility and arterial pressure by neuropeptide Y, neuropeptide Y fragment 13-36, peptide YY, and pancreatic polypeptide in rats: cholinergic mechanisms

The pancreatic polypeptide-fold (PP-fold) peptides neuropeptide Y (NPY), peptide YY (PYY), and pancreatic polypeptide (PP) (500 pmol/kg) increased duodenal and colonic intraluminal pressure of urethane-anesthesized rats following intravenous (i.v.) bolus injections. Increases in mean arterial pressure (MAP) accompanied the excitatory effects of NPY and PYY on gastrointestinal motility in these rats during the same time period. Atropine attenuated PYY's excitatory effect on duodenal pressure of rats. Excitatory effects of NPY, PYY, and PP (i.v.) on rat colon were not mediated via the muscarinic receptors. In the presence of hexamethonium, a nicotinic antagonist, PP (i.v.) increased colonic pressure to a greater extent than when administered alone. This observation suggested that PP had an inhibitory effect on colonic motility, which was not apparent as a result of the larger excitatory component. The nicotinic antagonist did not modulate the effects of peripherally administered NPY or PYY on duodenal or colonic motility in anesthetized rats. The Y2 receptor ligand, NPY (13-36) (i.v.) (500 pmol/kg), increased duodenal and colonic pressure in rats to the same extent as the full NPY molecule. Therefore, the peripheral effect of PYY and NPY on duodenal and colonic motility in rats may be mediated via Y2 receptors. NPY and PYY (i.v.) initially increased MAP, which then return to baseline values. Unlike NPY and PYY (i.v.) which produced short-term hypertensive effects PP (i.v. decreased MAP. Atropine did not attenuate the hypertensive effects of PYY and NPY (i.v.); however, the hypotensive effect of PP (i.v.) was blocked by atropine. The effects of the PP-fold peptides on MAP were not altered in the presence of hexamethonium.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Suppressive role of the islet-acinar axis in the perfused rat pancreas

BACKGROUND

The stimulating effects of insulin on the exocrine pancreas are well known. The effects of other islet hormones, however, are controversial. The aim of the present study was to determine whether the islet-acinar axis, as a whole, is stimulatory or inhibitory. Because we have shown that retrograde perfusion reverses the islet-acinar directed microcirculation, retrograde perfusion was expected to remove the overall effects of islet hormones from the acinar tissue.

METHODS

Rat pancreata were perfused (7 mmol/L glucose plus 3 mmol/L mixed amino acids) either anterogradely or retrogradely. Pancreatic juice flow, protein output, and amylase output were measured.

RESULTS

When perfusion was switched from anterograde to retrograde, juice flow increased threefold without changes in protein and amylase output. When cerulein (10(-10) mol/L) was infused, retrograde protein and amylase responses were larger than anterograde responses (each, n = 7; 2.71 +/- 0.23 vs. 1.71 +/- 0.11 mg/40 minutes; 173 +/- 17 vs. 98 +/- 8 U/40 minutes; mean +/- SE; both, P < 0.01). Somatostatin-14 and rat pancreatic polypeptide (each, 10(-9) mol/L) reduced the retrograde protein and amylase responses, but not juice flow, to the anterograde response levels. Conversely, these peptides did not affect exocrine function during anterograde perfusion.

CONCLUSIONS

A suppressive role of the islet-acinar axis via endogenous somatostatin and/or pancreatic polypeptide is suggested.

[Pancreatic polypeptide in the control of beta-endorphin and prolactin release from rat anterior pituitary in vivo and in vitro]

This study was designed to examine the possible effects of pancreatic polypeptide (PP) on beta-endorphin (beta-EP) and prolactin (PRL) release from rat anterior pituitary in vivo and in vitro. Injection of 0.5 microgram or 2.0 micrograms PP into the third ventricle of the brain (3rd v.i.) produced a significant decrease of the beta-EP and PRL resting secretion. 0.5 microgram PP (3rd v.i.) did not affect restraint stress-induced release of beta-EP, but partially lowered stress induced release of PRL. 2.0 micrograms PP (3rd v.i.) partially reduced restraint stress-induced release of beta-EP and completely suppressed stress-induced release of PRL. In order to investigate a possible direct action of PP on beta-EP and PRL secretion from the anterior pituitary gland, we incubated dispersed anterior pituitary cells with synthetic PP (0.05, 0.625 and 1.00 micrograms) for 1 n, the secretion of beta-EP was not affected at any dosage tested, but 0.625 and 1.00 micrograms PP significantly decreased the PRL secretion. These data indicate that PP may have an inhibitory role in the control of beta-EP secretion at the level of the hypothalamus, and an inhibitory role in the control of PRL secretion at the level of either hypothalamus or anterior pituitary.

Neuropeptide Y and pancreatic polypeptide reduce calcium currents in acutely dissociated neurons from adult rat superior cervical ganglia

We examined the effects of neuropeptide Y (NPY) and pancreatic polypeptide on calcium currents (ICa) in acutely dissociated neurons from the adult rat superior cervical ganglion. We found that NPY inhibited the ICa with an estimated IC50 value of 140 nM. This inhibitory effect appeared to be restricted to a subset of cells which were smaller in diameter than the general population. The effect of NPY on the ICa was prevented by pretreatment with pertussis toxin, suggesting the involvement of a GTP-binding protein of the Gi or Go subtype. omega-conotoxin GVIA also occluded the effects of NPY, which suggests that these were directed toward N-type Ca++ channels. The effects of NPY were mimicked by the fragment NPY (13-36) but not by peptide YY, indicating that a receptor distinct from a Y1- or a Y2-like NPY receptor was involved. Finally, we also observed that pancreatic polypeptide inhibited the ICa, suggesting that a pancreatic polypeptide receptor is also present on superior cervical ganglion neurons.

Pancreatic polypeptide infusions reduce food intake in Prader-Willi syndrome

Prader-Willi syndrome is characterized by dramatic hyperphagia and morbid obesity, and is associated with a deficiency in basal and meal-stimulated serum pancreatic polypeptide (PP) levels. Intravenous infusions of pancreatic polypeptide (90 min, 50 pmol/kg/h) restored normal serum PP levels, and a regimen of morning and afternoon PP infusions was found to significantly reduce food intake in Prader-Willi subjects. Food intake was evaluated in a 60-min free-feeding test that shows high reliability and validity. Basal food intake during saline infusions was striking (approximately 60 chicken sandwich quarters), and this intake was reduced overall by approximately 12% during PP infusions. This reduction was apparent only for female subjects, and may have reflected enhanced satiation rather than an overall suppression of food intake. No differences were apparent across subjects, in either basal food intake or the PP-related decrease in food intake, in the presence or absence of the widely recognized chromosomal marker for this syndrome [deletion of 15(q11-q13)]. More specific gene defects as recently reported in these subjects, however, suggest that the Prader-Willi syndrome may represent an important model for the study of food intake regulation.

Inhibition of VIP-stimulated ion transport by a novel Y-receptor phenotype in rabbit distal colon

Neurocrine, endocrine, and paracrine regulators are critical to the control of colonic secretion. These studies have investigated the inhibition of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP)-stimulated ion transport by peptide YY (PYY) and other Y-class effectors in rabbit distal colonic mucosa mounted in Ussing chambers. PYY decreased basal short-circuit current (Isc) but did not significantly change either basal Na+ or Cl- flux. PYY inhibited VIP-stimulated increases in Isc by up to 86% and abolished VIP-induced Cl- secretion. PYY decreased VIP-generated increases in Isc by a tetrodotoxin-insensitive mechanism. PYY inhibited cholera toxin-stimulated as well as forskolin-stimulated increases in Isc but failed to alter stimulation by 8-bromoadenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (8-BrcAMP). PYY decreased VIP-stimulated increases in tissue cAMP by 88% and forskolin-stimulated increases by 84%. PYY, neuropeptide Y (NPY), (Leu31,Pro34)-NPY, and pancreatic polypeptide (PP) all demonstrated potent inhibition of VIP-stimulated increases in Isc. PYY-(13-36) demonstrated little effect on VIP stimulation. Thus the rabbit distal colon possesses a novel Y-class receptor phenotype that demonstrates high affinity for all three PP-fold peptides, NPY, PYY, and PP.

Effects of pancreatic polypeptide on insulin action in exocrine secretion of isolated rat pancreas

1. Effects of pancreatic polypeptide (PP) on insulin action in pancreatic exocrine secretion was investigated by using an isolated rat pancreas that was perfused with Krebs-Henseleit solution containing 2.5 mM glucose, 0.1% bovine serum albumin and 3% Dextran T-70 at a vascular flow rate of 1.2 ml min-1. 2. Cholecystokinin-8 (CCK-8) at a concentration of 14 pM stimulated basal flow rate and amylase output of the isolated pancreas. Twenty-five millimolar glucose not only increased the basal flow rate and amylase output but also potentiated the CCK-stimulated flow rate and amylase output. 3. Porcine insulin, administered intra-arterially at a concentration of 100 nM, also increased the basal flow rate and amylase output, and also potentiated the CCK-stimulated flow rate and amylase output. 4. Rat PP, given intra-arterially at a concentration of 10 pM, completely abolished the potentiation effects of both the 25 mM glucose and the exogenous insulin on the CCK-stimulated flow rate and amylase output. Rat PP also inhibited the flow rate and amylase output increased by either 25 mM glucose alone or exogenous insulin alone. However, rat PP did not change the flow rate and amylase output stimulated by CCK-8 alone. 5. These results indicate that insulin is an important stimulatory hormone of pancreatic exocrine secretion, and that PP exerts the inhibitory role in pancreatic exocrine secretion by modulating the insulin action.

The peripheral modulation of duodenal and colonic motility in rats by the pancreatic polypeptide-fold family: neuropeptide Y, peptide YY, and pancreatic polypeptide

Neuropeptide Y (NPY), peptide YY (PYY), and pancreatic polypeptide (PP) altered intraluminal pressure in the duodenum and colon of fasted anesthetized rats following intravenous bolus administration. There were rapid increases in intraluminal pressure of the duodenum and colon of anesthetized rats following peripheral injections of NPY, PYY and PP. Administration (IV) of NPY, PYY, and PP increased intraduodenal pressure +1.8, +3.2, and +3.7 mmHg compared to saline baseline. Prazosin, an alpha-2 adrenergic antagonist, did not alter the response of the duodenum of urethane-anesthesized rats to any of the PP-fold peptides following peripheral administration. Yohimbine, an alpha 2-adrenergic antagonist, attenuated the excitatory response of rat duodenum following NPY (IV) but did not alter the duodenal response to PP (IV). Intravenous NPY, PYY, and PP increased intracolonic pressure +2.0, +3.3, and +6.2 mmHg compared to saline baseline. In the presence of prazosin, an alpha 1-adrenergic antagonist, the intraluminal pressure of the colon increased +2.6, +2.4, and +8.1 mmHg compared to saline baseline by NPY, PYY, and PP (IV), respectively. In the presence of alpha 2-adrenergic blockade by yohimbine, NPY, PYY, and PP (IV) increased intraluminal pressure of the colon +4.2, +2.9, and +2.5 mmHg compared to saline baseline. The response of the duodenum to the excitatory effect of PYY (IV) was enhanced in the presence of yohimbine. Duodenal and colonic tone were modulated by the PP-fold peptides following peripheral administration. The alpha-adrenergic nervous system played only a minor role in the modulation of GI motility by the PP-fold peptides at peripheral sites.

Spinal modulation of duodenal and colonic motility and arterial pressure by neuropeptide Y, neuropeptide Y fragment 13-36, peptide YY, and pancreatic polypeptide in rats: involvement of the cholinergic nervous system

The pancreatic polypeptide-fold (PP-fold) peptides, peptide YY (PYY) and pancreatic polypeptide (PP) (200 pmol), increased duodenal intraluminal pressure following intrathecal (IT) administration into the thoracic (T8-T10) spinal cord of urethane-anesthetized rats. Neuropeptide Y (NPY), PPY, and PP (IT) increased colonic intraluminal pressure of rats. The excitatory effects of the PP-fold peptides, NPY and PYY, were accompanied by increases in mean arterial pressure (MAP) during the same time period followed by a decrease to hypotensive levels. There were no further alterations of duodenal or colonic pressure in rats during the hypotensive period. The effect of PP (IT) on MAP was characterized by a pattern of hypotension frequently followed by a hypertensive period. The modulation of duodenal and colonic pressure does not differ between the members of the PP-fold family of peptides; however, the effects of the different members of the PP-fold family of peptides on MAP were varied. The Y2 receptor ligand, NPY (13-36) (200 pmol) (IT), did not alter duodenal and colonic pressure or MAP in rats. Therefore, the effects of PYY and NPY in the thoracic spinal cord on duodenal and colonic motility may be mediated via Y1 (postjunctional) receptors. Atropine, a muscarinic antagonist, attenuated NPY's (IT) excitatory effect on colonic pressure but did not alter the MAP response to this peptide. Atropine did not modify PYY's (IT) regulation of duodenal and colonic intraluminal pressure. However, atropine did attenuate PPY's inhibitory effect on MAP.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Pancreatic polypeptide stimulates corticosterone secretion by isolated rat adrenocortical cells

Pancreatic polypeptide (PP) dose-dependently enhanced both basal and submaximally ACTH-stimulated corticosterone production by dispersed zona fasciculata/reticularis cells of the rat adrenal gland. Conversely PP did not affect either basal or ACTH- and angiotensin-II-stimulated aldosterone and corticosterone secretion of zona glomerulosa cells. These findings could throw light on the physiological significance of the marked increase in the pancreatic release of PP during stresses.

Structural requirements for the effects of neuropeptide Y on the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis in the dog

Neuropeptide Y (NPY), administered into the third cerebral ventricle of the dog stimulates plasma ACTH and cortisol secretion. To further investigate the structure-activity relationships of this action, we examined the effect of COOH-terminal fragment, NPY 19-36 and its analogues, NPY-(1-36)-OH (deamidated NPY) and avian pancreatic polypeptide (APP) on ACTH-cortisol secretion following intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection in the dog. NPY (1.19 nmol) evoked a significant increase in the secretion of both plasma ACTH and cortisol. However, NPY 19-36 and NPY-(1-36)-OH each failed to increase plasma ACTH and cortisol secretion at doses of 1.19-11.9 nmol injected i.c.v. APP was less active than NPY. These data demonstrate that the entire NPY molecule is required for the full expression of the stimulatory effect of NPY on the secretion of ACTH and cortisol.