Neuroendocrine mechanisms of change in food intake during pregnancy: a potential role for brain oxytocin

Neurosteroid influences on sensitivity to ethanol

This review will highlight a variety of mechanisms by which neurosteroids affect sensitivity to ethanol, including physiological states associated with activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) and hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axes, and the effects of chronic exposure to ethanol, in addition to behavioral implications. To date, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA(A)) receptor mechanisms are a major focus of the modulation of ethanol effects by neuroactive steroids. While NMDA receptor mechanisms are gaining prominence in the literature, these complex data would be best discussed separately. Accordingly, GABA(A) receptor mechanisms are emphasized in this review with brief mention of some NMDA receptor mechanisms to point out contrasting neuroactive steroid pharmacology. Overall, the data suggest that neurosteroids are virtually ubiquitous modulators of inhibitory neurotransmission. Neurosteroids appear to affect sensitivity to ethanol in specific brain regions and, consequently, specific behavioral tests, possibly related to the efficacy and potency of ethanol to potentiate the release of GABA and increase neurosteroid concentrations. Although direct interaction of ethanol and neuroactive steroids at common receptor binding sites has been suggested in some studies, this proposition is still controversial. It is currently difficult to assign a specific mechanism by which neuroactive steroids could modulate the effects of ethanol in particular behavioral tasks.

Effect of oxytocin, prolactin-releasing peptide, or corticotropin-releasing hormone on feeding behavior in steers

As a preliminary step to elucidate the involvement of central neurotransmitters in the dip in voluntary feed intake during the perinatal period in cows, we investigated the effect of intracerebroventricular (ICV) administration of oxytocin, prolactin-releasing peptide (PrRP), or corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), the central functions of all of which undergo drastic changes during the perinatal period, on feed intake in steers. Thirty minutes before the onset of feeding, the treatment solution was injected into the third ventricle through an implanted cannula, and feeding-related behaviors were observed for 1 h after the onset of feeding. Neither ICV oxytocin (5 and 50 μg) nor PrRP (2 and 20 nmol) reduced feed intake (n=6). Twenty nanomoles of bovine CRH noticeably inhibited feeding behavior compared with vehicle treatment (n=5, p<0.05). Fifty micrograms of oxytocin reduced latency to the first water access after feeding onset (p<0.1), which may be because of the stimulation of arginine vasopressin V1b receptor by the high dose of oxytocin. We conclude that CRH inhibits feeding behavior by its central action in this species, although this could also be an indirect effect due to the increased expression of abnormal behaviors caused by CRH. Central administration of neither oxytocin nor PrRP reduced feed intake in steers. Although the effects of sex steroids need to be examined, it appears that increased activity of oxytocin, and possibly PrRP, during the perinatal period does not contribute to the dip in voluntary feed intake in this species. On the other hand, it makes sense that suppressed central CRH activity during the perinatal period should act in the direction of maintaining or even increasing food intake to aid a steady supply of energy to the fetus or offspring. We thus speculate that CRH is not a prime candidate involved in the dip in voluntary feed intake during the perinatal period in cows.

Differential changes in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and prolactin responses to stress in early pregnant mice

Stress can cause pregnancy failure but it is unclear how the mother's neuroendocrine system responds to stress to impair mechanisms establishing implantation. We analysed stress-evoked hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis responses in early pregnant mice. HPA axis secretory responses to immune stress in early-mid pregnancy were strong and similar to that in virgins, although activation of hypothalamic vasopressin neurones, rather than corticotrophin-releasing hormone neurones, may be more important in the stress response in pregnancy. The site and mode of detrimental glucocorticoid action in pregnancy is not established. Because circulating prolactin is important for progesterone secretion and pregnancy establishment, we also hypothesised that stress negatively impacts on prolactin and its neuroendocrine control systems in early pregnant mice. Basal prolactin secretion was profoundly inhibited by either immune or fasting stress in early pregnancy. Prolactin release is inhibited by tonic dopamine release from tuberoinfundibular (TIDA) neurones. However, immune stress did not increase TIDA neurone activity in the median eminence in pregnant mice [measured by 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) content and the DOPAC:dopamine ratio]. By contrast, both immune stress and fasting caused weak induction of Fos in TIDA neurones. However, Fos induction does not always reflect dopamine secretion. Taken together, the data suggest that the stress-evoked profound reduction in prolactin secretion does not involve substantially increased dopamine activity as anticipated. In pregnancy, there was also attenuated recruitment of parvocellular paraventricular nucleus neurones and increased activation of brainstem noradrenergic nuclei after immune stress, indicating that other mechanisms may be involved in the suppression of prolactin secretion. In summary, low prolactin and increased circulating glucocorticoids together may partly explain how a mother's endocrine system mediates stress-induced pregnancy failure.

Loss of acute satiety response to cholecystokinin in pregnant rats

During pregnancy, food intake and fat mass are increased to meet the energy demands of the growing conceptus and to prepare for the subsequent demands of lactation. A state of leptin resistance develops during pregnancy in the rat, which can facilitate the increase in food intake despite pregnancy-induced increases in leptin concentrations. Cholecystokinin (CCK) is a satiety factor that is released from the gut during feeding and acts to terminate short-term food intake. Circulating leptin concentrations can modulate the anorexic response to CCK; low leptin concentrations decrease the potency of CCK to reduce food intake. Because rats are leptin resistant by day 14 of pregnancy, it was hypothesised that the feeding response to CCK would be attenuated at that time. Nonpregnant and day 14 pregnant rats received an i.p. injection of CCK-8 (3 μg/kg body weight) or vehicle directly before the start of the dark phase. Food intake was measured 30 min after lights out. Approximately 90 min after receiving either CCK-8 or vehicle, rats were transcardially perfused with 4% paraformaldehyde. Food intake was significantly decreased in CCK-treated nonpregnant rats, although similar treatment did not reduce food intake in day 14 pregnant rats. CCK treatment lead to significant increased in c-Fos expression in the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS) in both nonpregnant and pregnant rats compared to vehicle treatment, although the number of CCK-induced c-Fos positive cells was significantly less in pregnant rat compared to nonpregnant rats. Although CCK treatment increased the number of c-Fos positive cells in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus and supraoptic nucleus in nonpregnant rats, no significant increase was observed in these areas during pregnancy. These results indicate that pregnant rats are no longer responsive to the actions of CCK on short-term food intake and that CCK action in the NTS is reduced during pregnancy.

Mother-offspring dialogue in early pregnancy: impact of adverse environment on pregnancy maintenance and neurobiology

The mother-offspring dialogue begins even before implantation and is essential to signal pregnancy, establish robust contact, and maintain embryo growth and development. Any circumstance that disrupts the dialogue risks pregnancy problems. A new look at how stress impacts on pregnancy involves its adverse effects on the key pregnancy hormones of progesterone and prolactin. These effects have far-reaching consequences on pregnancy maintenance, maternal anxiety and embryo programming. This review focuses on early pregnancy and how stress might compromise the multi-layer, two-way communication between mother and embryo.

Neuroendocrine control of maternal stress responses and fetal programming by stress in pregnancy

The major changes in highly dynamic neuroendocrine systems that are essential for establishing and maintaining pregnancy are outlined from studies on rodents. These changes optimise the internal environment to provide the life support system for the placenta, embryo and fetus. These include automatic prevention of further pregnancy, blood volume expansion, increased appetite and energy storage. The brain regulates these changes, in response to steroid (estrogens, progesterone) and peptide (lactogens, relaxin) hormone signals. Activation of inhibitory endogenous opioid mechanisms in the brain in late pregnancy restrains premature secretion of oxytocin, and attenuates hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) responses to stress. This opioid mechanism is activated by allopregnanolone, a neuroactive progesterone metabolite. The significance of reduced HPA axis responses in shifting maternal metabolic balance, and in protecting the fetuses from adverse programming of HPA axis stress responsiveness and anxious behaviour in later life is critically discussed. Experimental studies showing sex-dependent fetal programming by maternal stress or glucocorticoid exposure in late pregnancy are reviewed. The possibility of over-writing programming in offspring through neurosteroid administration is discussed. The impact of maternal stress on placental function is considered in the context of reconciling studies that show offspring programming by stress in very early or late pregnancy produce similar phenotypes in the offspring.

Defining global gene expression changes of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis in female sGnRH-antisense transgenic common carp (Cyprinus carpio)

Background

The hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis is critical in the development and regulation of reproduction in fish. The inhibition of neuropeptide gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) expression may diminish or severely hamper gonadal development due to it being the key regulator of the axis, and then provide a model for the comprehensive study of the expression patterns of genes with respect to the fish reproductive system.

Methodology/Principal Findings

In a previous study we injected 342 fertilized eggs from the common carp (Cyprinus carpio) with a gene construct that expressed antisense sGnRH. Four years later, we found a total of 38 transgenic fish with abnormal or missing gonads. From this group we selected the 12 sterile females with abnormal ovaries in which we combined suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) and cDNA microarray analysis to define changes in gene expression of the HPG axis in the present study. As a result, nine, 28, and 212 genes were separately identified as being differentially expressed in hypothalamus, pituitary, and ovary, of which 87 genes were novel. The number of down- and up-regulated genes was five and four (hypothalamus), 16 and 12 (pituitary), 119 and 93 (ovary), respectively. Functional analyses showed that these genes involved in several biological processes, such as biosynthesis, organogenesis, metabolism pathways, immune systems, transport links, and apoptosis. Within these categories, significant genes for neuropeptides, gonadotropins, metabolic, oogenesis and inflammatory factors were identified.

Conclusions/Significance

This study indicated the progressive scaling-up effect of hypothalamic sGnRH antisense on the pituitary and ovary receptors of female carp and provided comprehensive data with respect to global changes in gene expression throughout the HPG signaling pathway, contributing towards improving our understanding of the molecular mechanisms and regulative pathways in the reproductive system of teleost fish.

Neuropeptide exocytosis involving synaptotagmin-4 and oxytocin in hypothalamic programming of body weight and energy balance

Hypothalamic neuropeptides play essential roles in regulating energy and body weight balance. Energy imbalance and obesity have been linked to hypothalamic signaling defects in regulating neuropeptide genes; however, it is unknown whether dysregulation of neuropeptide exocytosis could be critically involved. This study discovered that synaptotagmin-4, an atypical modulator of synaptic exocytosis, is expressed most abundantly in oxytocin neurons of the hypothalamus. Synaptotagmin-4 negatively regulates oxytocin exocytosis, and dietary obesity is associated with increased vesicle binding of synaptotagmin-4 and thus enhanced negative regulation of oxytocin release. Overexpressing synaptotagmin-4 in hypothalamic oxytocin neurons and centrally antagonizing oxytocin in mice are similarly obesogenic. Synaptotagmin-4 inhibition prevents against dietary obesity by normalizing oxytocin release and energy balance under chronic nutritional excess. In conclusion, the negative regulation of synaptotagmin-4 on oxytocin release represents a hypothalamic basis of neuropeptide exocytosis in controlling obesity and related diseases.

Adipocyte-brain: crosstalk

The initial discovery of leptin, an appetite-suppressing hormone originating from fat tissue, substantially supported the idea that fat-borne factors act on the brain to regulate food intake and energy expenditure. Since then, a growing number of cytokines have been found to be released from adipose tissue, thus acting in an endocrine manner. These adipocytokines include not only, e.g., adiponectin, apelin, resistin, and visfatin, but also inflammatory cytokines and steroid hormones such as estrogens and glucocorticoids. They are secreted from their adipose depots and differ in terms of release stimuli, downstream signaling, and their action on the brain. Clearly, adipocytokines play a prominent role in the central control of body weight, and the deregulation of this circuit may lead to the development of obesity and related disorders. In this chapter, we will focus on crosstalk mechanisms and the deregulation of adipocytokines at the expression level and/or sites of central action that eventually will lead to the development and perpetuation of obesity and diabetes.

Dopamine and oxytocin interactions underlying behaviors: potential contributions to behavioral disorders

Dopamine is an important neuromodulator that exerts widespread effects on the central nervous system (CNS) function. Disruption in dopaminergic neurotransmission can have profound effects on mood and behavior and as such is known to be implicated in various neuropsychiatric behavioral disorders including autism and depression. The subsequent effects on other neurocircuitries due to dysregulated dopamine function have yet to be fully explored. Due to the marked social deficits observed in psychiatric patients, the neuropeptide, oxytocin is emerging as one particular neural substrate that may be influenced by the altered dopamine levels subserving neuropathologic-related behavioral diseases. Oxytocin has a substantial role in social attachment, affiliation and sexual behavior. More recently, it has emerged that disturbances in peripheral and central oxytocin levels have been detected in some patients with dopamine-dependent disorders. Thus, oxytocin is proposed to be a key neural substrate that interacts with central dopamine systems. In addition to psychosocial improvement, oxytocin has recently been implicated in mediating mesolimbic dopamine pathways during drug addiction and withdrawal. This bi-directional role of dopamine has also been implicated during some components of sexual behavior. This review will discuss evidence for the existence dopamine/oxytocin positive interaction in social behavioral paradigms and associated disorders such as sexual dysfunction, autism, addiction, anorexia/bulimia, and depression. Preliminary findings suggest that whilst further rigorous testing has to be conducted to establish a dopamine/oxytocin link in human disorders, animal models seem to indicate the existence of broad and integrated brain circuits where dopamine and oxytocin interactions at least in part mediate socio-affiliative behaviors. A profound disruption to these pathways is likely to underpin associated behavioral disorders. Central oxytocin pathways may serve as a potential therapeutic target to improve mood and socio-affiliative behaviors in patients with profound social deficits and/or drug addiction.

Pattern of Fos expression in the brain induced by selective activation of somatostatin receptor 2 in rats

Central activation of somatostatin (sst) receptors by oligosomatostatin analogs inhibits growth hormone and stress-related rise in catecholamine plasma levels while stimulating grooming, feeding behaviors, gastric transit and acid secretion, which can be mimicked by selective sst(2) receptor agonist. To evaluate the pattern of neuronal activation induced by peptide sst receptor agonists, we assessed Fos-expression in rat brain after intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection of a newly developed selective sst(2) agonist compared to the oligosomatostatin ODT8-SST, a pan-sst(1-5) agonist. Ninety min after injection of vehicle (10 microl) or previously established maximal orexigenic dose of peptides (1 microg=1 nmol/rat), brains were assessed for Fos-immunohistochemistry and doublelabeling. Food and water were removed after injection. The sst(2) agonist and ODT8-SST induced a similar Fos distribution pattern except in the arcuate nucleus where only the sst(2) agonist increased Fos. Compared to ODT8-SST, the sst(2) agonist induced higher Fos-expression by 3.7-times in the basolateral amygdaloid nucleus, 1.2-times in the supraoptic nucleus (SON), 1.6-times in the magnocellular paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus (mPVN), 4.1-times in the external lateral parabrachial nucleus, and 2.6-times in both the inferior olivary nucleus and superficial layer of the caudal spinal trigeminal nucleus. Doublelabeling in the hypothalamus showed that ODT8-SST activates 36% of oxytocin, 63% of vasopressin and 79% of sst(2) immunoreactive neurons in the mPVN and 28%, 55% and 25% in the SON, respectively. Selective activation of sst(2) receptor results in a more robust neuronal activation than the pan-sst(1-5) agonist in various brain regions that may have relevance in sst(2) mediated alterations of behavioral, autonomic and endocrine functions.

The fat-induced satiety factor oleoylethanolamide suppresses feeding through central release of oxytocin

Oleoylethanolamide (OEA) is a biologically active lipid amide that is released by small-intestinal enterocytes during the absorption of dietary fat and inhibits feeding by engaging the nuclear receptor, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha (PPAR-alpha). Previous studies have shown that the anorexic effects of systemically administered OEA require the activation of sensory afferents of the vagus nerve. The central circuits involved in mediating OEA-induced hypophagia remain unknown. In the present study, we report the results of in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry experiments in rats and mice, which show that systemic injections of OEA (5-10 mg kg(-1), intraperitoneal) enhance expression of the neuropeptide oxytocin in magnocellular neurons of the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) and supraoptic nucleus (SON) of the hypothalamus. No such effect is observed with other hypothalamic neuropeptides, including vasopressin, thyrotropin-releasing hormone and pro-opiomelanocortin. The increase in oxytocin expression elicited by OEA was absent in mutant PPAR-alpha-null mice. Pharmacological blockade of oxytocin receptors in the brain by intracerebroventricular infusion of the selective oxytocin antagonist, L-368,899, prevented the anorexic effects of OEA. The results suggest that OEA suppresses feeding by activating central oxytocin transmission.

The fat-induced satiety factor oleoylethanolamide suppresses feeding through central release of oxytocin

Oleoylethanolamide (OEA) is a biologically active lipid amide that is released by small-intestinal enterocytes during the absorption of dietary fat and inhibits feeding by engaging the nuclear receptor, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha (PPAR-alpha). Previous studies have shown that the anorexic effects of systemically administered OEA require the activation of sensory afferents of the vagus nerve. The central circuits involved in mediating OEA-induced hypophagia remain unknown. In the present study, we report the results of in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry experiments in rats and mice, which show that systemic injections of OEA (5-10 mg kg(-1), intraperitoneal) enhance expression of the neuropeptide oxytocin in magnocellular neurons of the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) and supraoptic nucleus (SON) of the hypothalamus. No such effect is observed with other hypothalamic neuropeptides, including vasopressin, thyrotropin-releasing hormone and pro-opiomelanocortin. The increase in oxytocin expression elicited by OEA was absent in mutant PPAR-alpha-null mice. Pharmacological blockade of oxytocin receptors in the brain by intracerebroventricular infusion of the selective oxytocin antagonist, L-368,899, prevented the anorexic effects of OEA. The results suggest that OEA suppresses feeding by activating central oxytocin transmission.

Oxytocin as feeding inhibitor: maintaining homeostasis in consummatory behavior

Initial studies showed that the anorexigenic peptide oxytocin (OT) regulates gastric motility, responds to stomach distention and to elevated osmolality, and blocks consumption of toxic foods. Most recently, it has been proposed to act as a mediator of general and carbohydrate-specific satiety and regulator of body weight. In the current review, we discuss the function of OT as a homeostatic inhibitor of consumption, capable of mitigating multiple aspects of ingestive behavior and energy metabolism.

Oxytocin-messages via the cerebrospinal fluid: behavioral effects; a review

The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) usually is considered as a protective 'nutrient and waste control' system for the brain. Recent findings suggest, however, that the composition of CSF is actively controlled and may play an influential role in the changes in brain activity, underlying different behavioral states. In the present review, we present an overview of available data concerning the release of oxytocin into the CSF, the location of the oxytocin-receptive brain areas and the behavioral effects of intracerebroventricular oxytocin. About 80% of the oxytocin-receptive areas are located close to the ventricular or subarachnoid CSF, including the hypothalamic 'Behavior Control Column' (L.W.Swanson, 2003). As a conclusion we suggest that 'CSF-oxytocin' contributes considerably to the non-synaptic communication processes involved in hypothalamic-, brainstem- and olfactory brain areas and behavioral states and that the flowing CSF is used as a 'broadcasting system' to send coordinated messages to a wide variety of nearby and distant brain areas.

Leptin modulates noradrenaline release in the paraventricular nucleus and plasma oxytocin levels in female rats: a microdialysis study

The neural control and mutual interrelationships among individual factors involved in the regulation of food intake and simultaneously related to reproduction are far from being understood. We have suggested that at least some of the effects of orexigenic and anorexigenic peptides might be mediated via noradrenaline release in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN). The main hypothesis was that leptin has an inhibitory action on oxytocin secretion and hypothalamic release of noradrenaline. Non-pregnant female rats in their diestrus were subjected to cannulation of the carotid artery and a microdialysis procedure with the probes in the hypothalamic PVN. Intra-arterial administration of cholecystokinin-8 (CCK) at the dose of 50 mg/kg was used to induce oxytocin and noradrenaline release. Leptin (10 mg/5 ml) was intracerebroventricularly injected in addition to CCK. Blood and microdialysis samples were collected at 20-min intervals for 80 min. Central administration of leptin significantly reduced both plasma oxytocin and hypothalamic noradrenaline responses to CCK at 20 min following the treatments. In conclusion, leptin may inhibit oxytocin secretion by lowering noradrenergic neurotransmission in the PVN. The modulator effect of leptin on noradrenaline release in the PVN may be related to feeding behavior.

Nesfatin-1-regulated oxytocinergic signaling in the paraventricular nucleus causes anorexia through a leptin-independent melanocortin pathway

The hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) functions as a center to integrate various neuronal activities for regulating feeding behavior. Nesfatin-1, a recently discovered anorectic molecule, is localized in the PVN. However, the anorectic neural pathway of nesfatin-1 remains unknown. Here we show that central injection of nesfatin-1 activates the PVN and brain stem nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS). In the PVN, nesfatin-1 targets both magnocellular and parvocellular oxytocin neurons and nesfatin-1 neurons themselves and stimulates oxytocin release. Immunoelectron micrographs reveal nesfatin-1 specifically in the secretory vesicles of PVN neurons, and immunoneutralization against endogenous nesfatin-1 suppresses oxytocin release in the PVN, suggesting paracrine/autocrine actions of nesfatin-1. Nesfatin-1-induced anorexia is abolished by an oxytocin receptor antagonist. Moreover, oxytocin terminals are closely associated with and oxytocin activates pro-opiomelanocortin neurons in the NTS. Oxytocin induces melanocortin-dependent anorexia in leptin-resistant Zucker-fatty rats. The present results reveal the nesfatin-1-operative oxytocinergic signaling in the PVN that triggers leptin-independent melanocortin-mediated anorexia.

Restraint stress activates nesfatin-1-immunoreactive brain nuclei in rats

Nesfatin-1 is a newly discovered peptide that was reported to reduce food intake when injected centrally. We recently described its wide distribution in rat brain autonomic nuclei which implies potential recruitment of nesfatin-1 by stress. We investigated whether restraint, a mixed psychological and physical stressor, activates nesfatin-1-immunoreactive (ir) neurons in the rat brain. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were either subjected to 30 min restraint or left undisturbed and 90 min later brains were processed for double immunohistochemical labeling of Fos and nesfatin-1. Restraint induced significant Fos expression in neurons of the supraoptic nucleus (SON), paraventricular nucleus (PVN), locus coeruleus (LC), rostral raphe pallidus (rRPa), nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS), and ventrolateral medulla (VLM). Double Fos/nesfatin-1 labeling revealed that Fos-ir neurons comprised 95% of nesfatin-1-ir cells in the SON, 90% in the VLM, 80% in the LC, 48% in the caudal NTS, 57% in the rRPa, 48% in the anterior parvicellular PVN, 27% in the medial magnocellular PVN, 18% in the lateral magnocellular PVN and 10% in the medial parvicellular PVN. These data demonstrate that nesfatin-1 neurons are part of the hypothalamic and hindbrain neuronal cell groups activated by restraint suggesting a possible role of nesfatin-1 in the response to stress.

A new anorexigenic protein, nesfatin-1

An anorexigenic peptide, nesfatin-1 was found in rat hypothalamus, and its expression in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus was reduced by starvation. Intracerebroventricular administration dose-dependently inhibited food intake for 6 h in male Wistar and leptin resistant, Zucker fatty rats. There may be a crosstalk between nesfatin-1 pathway and melanocortin pathway in the brain. Nesfatin-1 neurons co-express with oxytocin, vasopressin and melanin concentrating hormone in the hypothalamus. Intraperitoneal administration of nesfatin-1 and its mid-segment dose-dependently inhibited food intake for 3 h. Mid-segment of nesfatin-1 decreased food intake under leptin-resistant animal models of obesity. Intraperitoneal administration of the mid-segment of nesfatin-1 increased proopiomelanocortin and cocain- and amphetamine-related peptide mRNA expression in the nucleus of the solitary tract, but not in arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus. In this review, we summarized recent progress in the research about the possible mechanism of nesfatin-1-induced anorexia.

Low sympathetic tone and obese phenotype in oxytocin-deficient mice

Oxytocin (Oxt) is secreted both peripherally and centrally and is involved in several functions including parturition, milk let-down reflex, social behavior, and food intake. Recently, it has been shown that mice deficient in Oxt receptor develop late-onset obesity. In this study, we characterized a murin model deficient in Oxt peptide (Oxt(-/-)) to evaluate food intake and body weight, glucose tolerance and insulin tolerance, leptin and adrenaline levels. We found that Oxt(-/-) mice develop late-onset obesity and hyperleptinemia without any alterations in food intake in addition to having a decreased insulin sensitivity and glucose intolerance. The lack of Oxt in our murin model also results in lower adrenalin levels which led us to hypothesize that the metabolic changes observed are associated with a decreased sympathetic nervous tone. It has been shown that Oxt neurons in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) are a component of a leptin-sensitive signaling circuit between the hypothalamus and caudal brain stem for the regulation of food intake and energy homeostasis. Nevertheless, the lack of Oxt in these mice does not have a direct impact on feeding behavior whose regulation is probably dependent on the complex interplay of several factors. The lack of hyperphagia evident in the Oxt(-/-) mice may, in part, be attributed to the developmental compensation of other satiety factors such as cholecystokinin or bombesin-related peptides which merits further investigation. These findings identify Oxt as an important central regulator of energy homeostasis.

Oxytocin: the great facilitator of life

Oxytocin (Oxt) is a nonapeptide hormone best known for its role in lactation and parturition. Since 1906 when its uterine-contracting properties were described until 50 years later when its sequence was elucidated, research has focused on its peripheral roles in reproduction. Only over the past several decades have researchers focused on what functions Oxt might have in the brain, the subject of this review. Immunohistochemical studies revealed that magnocellular neurons of the hypothalamic paraventricular and supraoptic nuclei are the neurons of origin for the Oxt released from the posterior pituitary. Smaller cells in various parts of the brain, as well as release from magnocellular dendrites, provide the Oxt responsible for modulating various behaviors at its only identified receptor. Although Oxt is implicated in a variety of "non-social" behaviors, such as learning, anxiety, feeding and pain perception, it is Oxt's roles in various social behaviors that have come to the fore recently. Oxt is important for social memory and attachment, sexual and maternal behavior, and aggression. Recent work implicates Oxt in human bonding and trust as well. Human disorders characterized by aberrant social interactions, such as autism and schizophrenia, may also involve Oxt expression. Many, if not most, of Oxt's functions, from social interactions (affiliation, aggression) and sexual behavior to eventual parturition, lactation and maternal behavior, may be viewed as specifically facilitating species propagation.

Oxytocin deficiency mediates hyperphagic obesity of Sim1 haploinsufficient mice

Single-minded 1 (Sim1) encodes a transcription factor essential for formation of the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN). Sim1 haploinsufficiency is associated with hyperphagic obesity and increased linear growth in humans and mice, similar to the phenotype of melanocortin 4 receptor (Mc4r) mutations. PVN neurons in Sim1(+/-) mice are hyporesponsive to the melanocortin agonist melanotan II. PVN neuropeptides oxytocin (Oxt), TRH and CRH inhibit feeding when administered centrally. Consequently, we hypothesized that altered PVN neuropeptide expression mediates the hyperphagia of Sim1(+/-) mice. To test this hypothesis, we measured hypothalamic expression of PVN neuropeptides in Sim1(+/-) and wild-type mice. Oxt mRNA and peptide were decreased by 80% in Sim1(+/-) mice, whereas TRH, CRH, arginine vasopressin (Avp), and somatostatin mRNAs were decreased by 20-40%. Sim1(+/-) mice also showed abnormal regulation of Oxt but not CRH mRNA in response to feeding state. A selective Mc4r agonist activated PVN Oxt neurons in wild-type mice, supporting involvement of these neurons in melanocortin feeding circuits. To test whether Oxt itself regulates feeding, we measured the effects of central administration of an Oxt receptor antagonist or repeated doses of Oxt on food intake of Sim1(+/-) and wild-type mice. Sim1(+/-) mice were hypersensitive to the orexigenic effect of the Oxt receptor antagonist. Oxt decreased the food intake and weight gain of Sim1(+/-) mice at a dose that did not affect wild-type mice. Our results support the importance of Oxt neurons in feeding regulation and suggest that reduced Oxt neuropeptide is one mechanism mediating the hyperphagic obesity of Sim1(+/-) mice.

The expectant brain: adapting for motherhood

A successful pregnancy requires multiple adaptations of the mother's physiology to optimize fetal growth and development, to protect the fetus from adverse programming, to provide impetus for timely parturition and to ensure that adequate maternal care is provided after parturition. Many of these adaptations are organized by the mother's brain, predominantly through changes in neuroendocrine systems, and these changes are primarily driven by the hormones of pregnancy. By contrast, adaptations in the mother's brain during lactation are maintained by external stimuli from the young. The changes in pregnancy are not necessarily innocuous: they may predispose the mother to post-partum mood disorders.

G protein-coupled receptor 101 mRNA expression in supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei in rat hypothalamus is altered by pregnancy and lactation

In a previous study performed in mouse models of energetic challenge, there was evidence to suggest that the orphan G protein-coupled receptor GPCR101 may have a role in the regulation of energy balance. To further investigate this possibility, we utilised in situ hybridisation to determine the effect of energetic challenges experienced by pregnant and lactating rats on GPCR101 mRNA expression. In the rat hypothalamus, GPCR101 mRNA expression was detected in a number of hypothalamic nuclei. During pregnancy and lactation, GPCR101 mRNA level remained unchanged in most nuclei, but had increased in the supraoptic nucleus by the end of pregnancy and remained elevated during lactation. GPCR101 mRNA expression showed a similar pattern of expression in the rostral ventromedial parvocellular subdivision of the paraventricular nucleus. A common feature of these two nuclei is the production of the peptide oxytocin. Dual in situ hybridisation revealed GPCR101 and oxytocin mRNA co-expression in neurons of these two nuclei. In the supraoptic nucleus, in situ hybridisation revealed that the temporal regulation of oxytocin and GPCR101 mRNA expression were similar. In the paraventricular nucleus, although temporal changes in oxytocin mRNA expression were similar to GPCR101, the spatial expression of the two mRNA species was different; in contrast to GPCR101, oxytocin mRNA expression changed in both parvo- and magnocellular neurons during lactation. In conclusion, increased GPCR101 mRNA expression in supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei from late pregnancy to late lactation may reflect the functional importance of this receptor in the regulation of neurons of these nuclei during this period.