Chronic administration of atrial natriuretic peptide reduces testosterone production of testes in mice

Cardiac natriuretic peptides, obesity, and insulin resistance: evidence from two community-based studies

BACKGROUND

The natriuretic peptides play an important role in salt homeostasis and blood pressure regulation. It has been suggested that obesity promotes a relative natriuretic peptide deficiency, but this has been a variable finding in prior studies and the cause is unknown.

AIM

The aim of this study was to examine the association between obesity and natriuretic peptide levels and evaluate the role of hyperinsulinemia and testosterone as mediators of this interaction.

METHODS

We studied 7770 individuals from the Framingham Heart Study (n = 3833, 54% women) and the Malmö Diet and Cancer study (n = 3918, 60% women). We examined the relation of plasma N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide levels (N-BNP) with obesity, insulin resistance, and various metabolic subtypes.

RESULTS

Obesity was associated with 6-20% lower levels of N-BNP (P < 0.001 in Framingham, P = 0.001 in Malmö), whereas insulin resistance was associated with 10-30% lower levels of N-BNP (P < 0.001 in both cohorts). Individuals with obesity who were insulin sensitive had only modest reductions in N-BNP compared with nonobese, insulin-sensitive individuals. On the other hand, individuals who were nonobese but insulin resistant had 26% lower N-BNP in Framingham (P < 0.001) and 10% lower N-BNP in Malmö (P < 0.001), compared with nonobese and insulin-sensitive individuals. Adjustment for serum-free testosterone did not alter these associations.

CONCLUSIONS

In both nonobese and obese individuals, insulin resistance is associated with lower natriuretic peptide levels. The relative natriuretic peptide deficiency seen in obesity could be partly attributable to insulin resistance, and could be one mechanism by which insulin resistance promotes hypertension.

Regulation of steroidogenesis by atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) in the rat testis: differential involvement of GC-A and C receptors

Previous studies have established a stimulatory effect of natriuretic peptides (NP) on testosterone production in mouse Leydig cells as intense as that of LH. Chronic administration of ANP in mice, on the other side, reduced testosterone levels. So, the understanding of the role of ANP on testicular steroidogenesis has been impaired by discrepant findings. The aim of the present study was to clarify the physiological role of ANP in the rat testis steroidogenesis using a model that preserves the interactions between testis cells and a medium devoid of any circulating factors that could interfere with testosterone production. First, ANP was immunolocalized in the interstitial compartment of the rat testis, mainly in Leydig cells. We also determined the presence of ANP and both GC-A (guanylyl cyclase A) and C receptors by real-time PCR in testis. Perfusion in vitro of testis with ANP (1 and 3x10(-7)M) stimulated testosterone production in a time- and dose-dependent manner. On the other side, testosterone secretion induced by LH was blunted by ANP. Similar effect was obtained using the specific C receptor ligand, cANF, indicating the involvement of C receptor in such response. In conclusion, ANP stimulated testosterone production in the rat testis perfused in vitro but decreased testosterone production LH-induced, effect that seems to involve C receptor. To this extent, our results suggest the existence of a local and complex peptidergic system in the rat testis, involving ANP and its receptors that could importantly modulate the androgen biosynthesis.

In vivo evaluation and in vitro metabolism of leuprolide in mice--mass spectrometry-based biomarker measurement for efficacy and toxicity

The study of pharmacologically active peptides is central for the understanding of cancer and the development of novel therapeutic approaches. In this context, both qualitative and quantitative determination of bioactive peptides in biological fluids/tissues and their effect on endogenous factors (e.g. hormones) are of great importance. A mass spectrometry-based approach was developed and applied towards the measurement of leuprolide, a peptide drug for the treatment of prostate cancer, in mouse plasma. High-pressure liquid chromatography coupled to a hybrid quadrupole linear ion trap (QqLIT) mass spectrometer, a platform that combines the benefits of triple QqLIT instruments, was employed for the study. Using the described methodology, we established that picomolar concentrations of leuprolide could be measured in mouse plasma (limit of quantification of 0.1 ng/ml). In order to optimize pharmacokinetic properties of analogs of leuprolide, a facile in vivo mouse model was developed and leuprolide concentrations were determined in mouse plasma following intraperitoneal administration. In the same animal model, we demonstrated the versatility of the described MS-based approach by the determination of plasma concentrations of testosterone, an established biomarker for the treatment of prostate cancer. Following dosing with leuprolide, circulating testosterone was increased significantly in comparison to vehicle-treated mice. Finally, in vitro metabolism of leuprolide was evaluated by incubation of leuprolide with mouse kidney membranes, followed by identification of major metabolites by MS. Such studies provide the framework for future evaluation of novel leuprolide analogs with potential therapeutic advantages.

Overexpression of the C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) is associated with overgrowth and bone anomalies in an individual with balanced t(2;7) translocation

Longitudinal bone growth is determined by the process of endochondral ossification in the cartilaginous growth plate, which is located at both ends of vertebrae and long bones and involves many systemic hormones and local regulators. We report the molecular characterization of a de novo balanced t(2;7)(q37.1;q21.3) translocation in a young female with Marfanoid habitus and skeletal anomalies. The translocation was characterized by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), checked for other abnormalities by array-comparative genomic hybridization (CGH), and finally, the breakpoints were cloned, sequenced, and compared. Biochemical dosage was applied to study the possible mechanisms that may cause the proposita's phenotype. The breakpoint on chromosome 2 disrupts the hypothetical gene MGC42174 (HUGO-approved symbol DIS3L2) and is located in the proximity of the NPPC gene coding for C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP), a molecule that regulates endochondral bone growth. CNP plasma concentration was doubled in the proband compared to five normal controls, while NPPC was substantially overexpressed in her fibroblasts. A transgenic mouse generated to target NPPC overexpression in bone showed a phenotype highly reminiscent of the patient's phenotype. The breakpoint on chromosome 7 is localized proximally at about 75 kb from the COL1A2 gene. The COL1A2 allele on the derivative chromosome was strongly underexpressed in fibroblasts, but total collagen was not significantly different from controls. Several evidences support the conclusion that the proband's abnormal phenotype is associated with C-type natriuretic peptide overexpression.

Atrial natriuretic peptide inhibits ovarian functions in female mice

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effects of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) on ovarian regulation in mice through intraperitoneal administration.

STUDY DESIGN

Forty-two ICR strain female mice were divided into seven groups, including one control. Each mouse received ovarian hyperstimulation. ANP was prepared with saline at concentrations of 0 (as control), 2, 4, 8, 10, 20, and 30 ng/g of body weight. The solution was intraperitoneally applied to each referred group (n = 6) 1 h before the hMG and hCG injections. The mice were sacrificed next morning and blood samples were collected for analysis.

RESULTS

A significant reduction in both ovarian weight and the number of oocytes was found as the ANP dosage increased. ANP treatment decreased both serum estradiol and progesterone levels. The pituitary FSH and LH contents elevated significantly by ANP at a dosage larger than 4 ng/g of body weight; however, both serum FSH and LH levels remained unchanged. Histologically, there were remarkable ovarian inhibitory features, i.e. reduction in size and number of follicles, arrest of follicular growth and diminution of ovulation.

CONCLUSION

Intraperitoneal administration of ANP inhibits the follicular growth, ovulation and steroidogenesis in female mice. These effects are attributed to the direct action of ANP on ovaries.