Plasma nesfatin-1 and glucoregulatory hormone responses to two different anaerobic exercise sessions

Effects of physical activity and exercise on Nucleobindin-2 gene expression and Nesfatin-1 concentration: A rapid review

The aim of this rapid review is to examine the research evidence that presents the effects of physical activity and exercise on Nucleobindin-2 (NUCB2) gene expression and Nesfatin-1 concentration. Five databases (PubMed, Science Direct, Springer, Wiley, and Google Scholar) were searched for eligible studies from the earliest available date to August 2023. In human studies, Nesfatin-1 concentration either remains unchanged or increases after exercise training. It appears that higher exercise intensity and longer duration of training accentuate the increase of blood Nesfatin-1 concentration. The few human studies that have examined the acute response of exercise on Nesfatin-1 concentration from blood draws show conflicting results. There is a severe lack of biopsy studies in humans which warrants attention. All published animal studies have used the mouse model. The majority show that regular exercise training increases tissue NUCB2/Nesfatin-1. In some animal studies, where the effects of exercise on tissue Nesfatin-1 concentration has been seen as significant, there has been no significant effect of exercise on plasma Nesfatin-1 concentration. All animal studies evaluated the effect of endurance training except one which used resistance training. No animal studies have investigated the effects of acute exercise, which warrants investigation. In conclusion, human and animal studies have shown that physical training can increase NUCB2/Nesfatin-1, but research evidence examining the effect of acute exercise is in its infancy. In addition, future comparative studies are needed to compare the effects of different training protocols on NUCB2/Nesfatin-1 in humans and animals.

Reliability and Validity of the Kickboxing Anaerobic Speed Test

Purpose: This study investigated the test-retest reliability and discriminant validity of the Kickboxing Anaerobic Speed Test (KAST) and established a comparison with the maximal cycling sprint test (MCST). Methods: Forty-two male kickboxing athletes (18 elite and 24 sub-elite) participated in this study. Kickboxers performed the tests in both single and multiple forms. The KASTsingle was composed of kicks and punches, performed as quickly as possible until 5 reps of a 4 techniques' combination (i.e., straight left punch, right-roundhouse kick, straight right punch, and left-roundhouse kick) were completed. The MCSTsingle was composed by a single 6-s maximal effort. The KASTmultiple was performed using 5 sequential sets of the single form following a 10s rest interval between sets. The MCSTmultiple was performed using 5 × 6 s repeated cycling efforts with 10s rest intervals. The tests and retests were carried out on separate occasions. To establish the test's discriminatory capability, elite and sub-elite athletes were compared. Results: All tests' performance scores showed excellent relative and absolute reliability (ICC > 0.900, SEM ≤ 0.98 s for KASTs and ≤ 0.74 W•kg-1 for MCST tests). Significant correlations between the identical versions were "large" (r > 0.70). Receiving operating characteristic analyses indicated that the KASTs and cycling tests were able to effectively discriminate between elite and sub-elite kickboxers. Additionally, the findings showed that KASTsingle, MCSTsingle, KASTmultiple, and MCSTmultiple correctly classified the groups by 78.6%, 73.6%, 88.1%, and 78.6%, respectively. Conclusions: This study supported the test-retest reliability and the discriminant validity of the KASTsingle and KASTmultiple to evaluate kickboxing athletes.

Protective effects of swimming exercises and metformin on cardiac and aortic damage caused by a high-fat diet in obese rats with type 2 diabetes, by regulating the Bcl2/Bax signaling pathway

Background/aim

Due to the increasing mortality and morbidity rates in diabetes mellitus (DM), which is one of the biggest health problems of our age, many treatment modalities are still being tried. The positive effects of metformin (MET) and physical exercise (EXE) on the pathophysiology of diabetes are well known. In this study, it was aimed to detail these positive effects of MET and EXE in combination on the basis of inflammation, apoptosis mechanisms, and endogen nesfatin-1 (NES-1) synthesis.

Materials and methods

Twenty-seven type 2 DM (DM-2) male Wistar Albino rats were divided into 4 groups, as the high-fat diet (HFD), MET, EXE, and MET+EXE groups. The total duration of the study was 3 months. At the end of the experiment, blood glucose and lipid profiles were measured. Histopathological evaluation was performed on the cardiac and aortic tissues and apoptotic markers were evaluated immunohistochemically. Inflammatory markers and NES-1 levels were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Results

The plasma glucose, homeostatic model evaluation-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels increased, and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels decreased significantly in the HFD group. In the treatment groups, the glucose, HOMA-IR, LDL, NES-1 levels in the plasma, as well as tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), IL-6, caspase-3 (Cas-3), Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax), and histopathological findings of inflammation in tissues were decreased. Additionally, there was an increase in plasma insulin, HDL, and tissue B-cell lymphoma-2 and levels.

Conclusion

It was observed that the MET and EXE treatments in the DM-2 model reduced cellular damage mechanisms such as inflammation and apoptosis. The decrease in NES-1 levels was thought to be secondary to this antiinflammatory effect. In conclusion, the results demonstrated the effectiveness of EXE in reducing DM-2 and the NES-1 levels. Further studies are needed to evaluate the effect in different EXE models and treatment durations.

Combined Effects of High-Intensity Aerobic Exercise Training and Ziziphus jujuba Extract on Tissue Nesfatin-1 in Rats

Nesfatin-1 is involved in metabolic/feeding regulation and prevention of cardiovascular disease. Previous studies have shown that exercise and herb supplementation can influence nesfatin-1 concentration. The present study investigated the effects of high-intensity training (HIT) and Ziziphus jujuba (ZJ) extract on tissue nesfatin-1 in rats. Twenty-eight female rats were randomly assigned to one of four groups i.e. 1) Saline-Control (SC), 2) Saline-High Intensity Training (ST), 3) Ziziphus jujuba-Control (ZJC), and 4) Ziziphus jujuba-High Intensity Training (ZJT). Rats performed exercise on a treadmill and/or administered supplements intragastrically for 6 weeks, depending on group category. Seventy-two hours after the last training session, rats were anesthetized. Blood, hypothafi 2lamus tissue, heart and gastrocnemius muscles were sent to the laboratory for analyses. Significantly higher nesfatin-1 gene expression and concentration and ATP concentration were found in trained rat. HIT increased plasma High Density Lipoprotein (HDL) and insulin concentration and reduced plasma Triglyceride (TG) and cortisol. ZJ increased tissue nesftain-1 gene expression and concentration while only increasing heart ATP. The combination of exercise and ZJ showed an additive effect compared to each intervention alone on hypothalamus, heart and gastrocnemius NUCB2 gene expression, heart and gastrocnemius nesfatin-1 concentration, plasma HDL and cortisol concentration. The authors recommend both interventions as a means to improve cardiovascular health in rats with further work needed to confirm similar findings in homo sapiens.

The effects of spirulina under high-intensity interval training on levels of nesfatin-1, omentin-1, and lipid profiles in overweight and obese females: A randomized, controlled, single-blind trial

BACKGROUND

We investigated the effects of spirulina under high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on levels of nesfatin-1, omentin-1, and lipid profiles in overweight and obese females.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This is a randomized, quasi-experimental controlled, single-blind with a pre- and post-test design, in which twenty overweight and obese women (body mass index = 29.32 ± 3.01 kg/m², age = 21.55 ± 1.76 years), were randomly divided into the following groups: HIIT + spirulina (n = 10) and HIIT + placebo (n = 10). Running anaerobic sprint test was used for HIIT protocol consisting of six intervals at 35 m maximal speed runs, with a rest of 10 s in each trial (3 times/week, 4 weeks). HIIT + spirulina group received 500 mg of the spirulina pills twice daily for 4 weeks and the second group took placebo.

RESULTS

There was a significant increase in serum levels of nesfatin-1 in HIIT + spirulina (P < 0.0001) but not in HIIT + placebo (P = 0.61) group. Furthermore, results indicated a significant difference between two groups with respect to serum levels of nesfatin-1 (P = 0.04). Serum levels of omentin-1 significantly increased in both groups (P < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference between two groups (P = 0.49). In addition, results showed no significant inter- and intra-group differences in total cholesterol levels, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol between groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The spirulina under HIIT increased levels of nesfatin-1 and omentin-1 with no effects on the levels of lipid profiles in overweight and obese females.

Zoladz J, Brzozowski T. Effect of Acute Sprint Exercise on Myokines and Food Intake Hormones in Young Healthy Men

Physical exercise is known to influence hormonal mediators of appetite, but the effect of short-term maximal intensity exercise on plasma levels of appetite hormones and cytokines has been little studied. We investigated the effect of a 30 s Wingate Test, followed by a postprandial period, on appetite sensations, food intake, and appetite hormones. Twenty-six physically active young males rated their subjective feelings of hunger, prospective food consumption, and fatigue on visual analogue scales at baseline, after exercise was completed, and during the postprandial period. Blood samples were obtained for the measurement of nesfatin-1, ghrelin, leptin, insulin, pancreatic polypeptide (PP), human growth factor (hGH) and cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6), irisin and plasma lactate concentrations, at 30 min before exercise, immediately (210 s) after exercise, and 30 min following a meal and at corresponding times in control sedentary males without ad libitum meal intake, respectively. Appetite perceptions and food intake were decreased in response to exercise. Plasma levels of irisin, IL-6, lactate, nesfatin-1 and ghrelin was increased after exercise and then it was returned to postprandial/control period in both groups. A significant rise in plasma insulin, hGH and PP levels after exercise was observed while meal intake potentiated this response. In conclusion, an acute short-term fatiguing exercise can transiently suppress hunger sensations and food intake in humans. We postulate that this physiological response involves exercise-induced alterations in plasma hormones and the release of myokines such as irisin and IL-6, and supports the notion of existence of the skeletal muscle-brain-gut axis. Nevertheless, the detailed relationship between acute exercise releasing myokines, appetite sensations and impairment of this axis leading to several diseases should be further examined.

A Randomized Controlled Trial on the Effects of 12 Weeks of Aerobic, Resistance, and Combined Exercises Training on the Serum Levels of Nesfatin-1, Irisin-1 and HOMA-IR

Background/objective: This study aimed to investigate the impacts of a 12-week training of the aerobic exercise (AE), resistance exercise (RE), and combined exercise (CE) on the serum levels of nesfatin-1, irisin-1 and some other metabolic and anthropometric indices in overweight women with metabolic syndrome. Methods: Sixty overweight women with metabolic syndrome were assigned equally into four groups: aerobic exercise (AE, n = 15), resistance exercise (RE, n = 15), combined exercise (CE, n = 15), and control (n = 15). All groups underwent 12 weeks of intervention. The study variables were measured before and 24 h after the intervention period. Results: Twelve weeks of training resulted in an increase of irisin-1 in the AE and CE groups and nesfatin-1 in all the intervention groups. As expected, all the trained groups exhibited a positive alteration in anthropometric indices and lipid profile in comparison with the control group. Besides, compared with the control group, insulin resistance (based on the homeostatic model assessment) in AE (p = 0.022), RE (p = 0.032), and CE (p < 0.001) groups were reduced significantly. According to the observed changes in the measured indices, serum irisin-1 was significantly correlated with body weight, BMI, body fat percentage, fasting insulin, and HOMA-IR. However, with regard to nesfatin-1, only a negative correlation was observed with body fat percentage and LDL-cholesterol. Conclusions: The 12-week systematic training program changed circulating irisin-1 and nesfatin-1. Also, change in the serum irisin-1 and nesfatin-1 were correlated with the change in glycemic and anthropometric indices in addition to LDL-cholesterol. Also, exercise training significantly reduced fasting insulin and HOMA-IR in all the intervention groups. RCT Registration Code: IRCT20180806040721N2.

Metabolic cross-talk between skeletal muscle and adipose tissue in high-intensity interval training vs. moderate-intensity continuous training by regulation of PGC-1α

PURPOSE

An imbalance in the production of adipokines and myokines impairs the energy expenditure, increases adipocyte and develops metabolic pathologies. Physical exercise is able to regulate the secretion of myokines and adipokines. The present study considers the metabolic cross talk between skeletal muscle and adipose tissue in high-intensity interval training vs. moderate-intensity continuous training by regulation of PGC-1α.

METHODS

A sample of 32 male Wistar rats (8 weeks old with mean weight 250 ± 55 g) were divided into four groups randomly: control of base (CO), control of 8 weeks (CO8w), moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT), and high-intensity interval training (HIIT). The rats were fed with standard chow diet. The CO group was killed at the start of the study and the CO8w group was kept alive for the same time as the experimental groups, but did not participate in any exercise. MICT and HIIT groups for 8 weeks were placed under the moderate-intensity continuous training (15-60 min, with speed of 15-30 m/min) and high-intensity interval training (8-4 intense period for 1 min, with speed of 28-55 m/min, with 3-7 slow-intensity period for 1 min, with a speed of 12-30 m/min) for 8 weeks, respectively. To measure the levels of serum irisin, nesfatin, and resistin the ELISA method was used and real-time PCR method was used to evaluate the relative expression of soleus PGC-1α gene mRNA.

RESULTS

The levels of irisin and nesfatin significantly increased in the HIIT compared with control groups (p = 0.001). Resistin values in both training groups showed a significant decrease compared to the control groups (p = 0.005). The level of PGC-1α gene expression in both HIIT and MICT groups was significantly increased in comparison with the control groups (p = 0.001).

DISCUSSION

The results showed that HIIT and MICT increase the transcription of the PGC-1α gene and possibly the increased expression of this gene after HIIT and MICT plays a central role in the secretion of skeletal muscle myokines and adipokines of adipose tissue.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

No Level of evidence: Animal study.

Eccentric resistance training and β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate free acid affects muscle PGC-1α expression and serum irisin, nesfatin-1 and resistin in rats

The hypothalamus controls metabolism and feeding behaviour via several signals with other tissues. Exercise and supplements can change hypothalamic signalling pathways, so the present study investigated the influence of eccentric resistance training and β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate free acid supplementation on PGC-1α expression, serum irisin, nesfatin-1 and resistin concentrations. Thirty-two male rats (8 weeks old, 200±17 g body mass) were randomly allocated to control, β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate free acid supplementation (HMB), eccentric resistance training (ERT), and β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate free acid supplementation plus eccentric resistance training (HMB+ERT) groups. Training groups undertook eccentric resistance training (6 weeks, 3 times a week) and supplement groups consumed β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate free acid (HMB-FA) orally (76 mg kg^-1 day^-1). Twenty-four hours after the last training session, serum and triceps brachii muscle samples were collected and sent to the laboratory for analysis. Two-way ANOVA and Pearson correlation were employed (significance level: P<0.05). The results showed that eccentric resistance training increases skeletal muscle PGC-1α gene expression, as well as serum levels of irisin and nesfatin-1 (P=0.001). Eccentric resistance training decreased the serum concentration of resistin (P=0.001). HMB-FA supplementation increased skeletal muscle PGC-1α gene expression (P=0.002), as well as the serum concentration of irisin and nesfatin-1 (P=0.001), but decreased the serum concentration of resistin (P=0.001). Significant correlations were observed between PGC-1α gene expression and serum concentrations of irisin, nesfatin-1 and resistin. HMB-FA supplementation with eccentric resistance training may induce crosstalk between peptide release from other tissues and increases maximal muscle strength. The combination of the two interventions had a more substantial effect than each in isolation.

Hormonal responses to striking combat sports competition: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Striking combat sports are challenging, commonly stressing the endocrinological system based on a mixture of body-contact actions and physiological efforts. The aims of this systematic review and meta-analysis were to discuss the hormonal responses related to striking combat sports competitions and to investigate the moderator and mediator variables of the hormonal response-competition/outcome relationship. Three electronic databases (i.e., PubMed, Google Scholar and ScienceDirect) were systematically searched (up to February 2016) followed by a manual search of retrieved papers. The data showed a moderate increase in cortisol (C) (ES = 0.79; 95% CI 0.31-1.28; p = 0.001), an extremely large increase in adrenaline (ES = 4.22; 95% CI 2.62-5.82; p < 0.001), and a very large increase in noradrenaline (ES = 3.40; 95% CI 1.03-5.76; p = 0.005) and human growth hormone (HGH) levels (ES = 3.69; 95% CI 1.96-5.42; p < 0.001) immediately following the combat events, compared to the control condition i.e., "pre-combat". Furthermore, amateur athletes had a larger increase in C levels compared to highly trained athletes (ES = 2.91 [very large] vs ES = 0.56 [small]), while evening events showed greater alterations in C levels compared to morning events (ES = 1.91 [large] vs ES = 0.48 [small]), without significant differences between them (p = 0.26 and p = 0.06, respectively). The present meta-analysis also showed a small, insignificant increase in testosterone (T) (ES = 0.47 [small]; 95% CI -0.45-0.99; p = 0.074) and a decrease in insulin-like growth factor 1 levels (ES = -0.20 [trivial]; 95% CI -0.78-0.37; p = 0.486) immediately following the combat events, compared to the control condition. The type of combat sports practised, participants' gender, and the nature of competition contests (i.e., official vs simulation) did not moderate the relationship between competition and hormonal response. Additionaly, sub-analysis results showed a significant difference between younger and older athletes (Q = 4.05, p = 0.044), suggesting that after combat, younger individuals (less than 17 years of age) had a small decrease in T levels (ES = -0.58), compared with the moderate increase observed in older individuals (ES = 0.76). In conclusion, irrespective of striking combat sports types, the results showed that both official and simulated bouts are a real stressor of the hormonal system of practitioners. Coaches and applied practitioners should adopt "pre-competitive cognitive/coping strategies" to improve the psychological state that mediates the hormonal changes-competition/outcome relationship of their athletes in order to mitigate athletes' stress.

Variations in leptin, nesfatin-1 and irisin levels induced by aerobic exercise in young trained and untrained male subjects

The aims of this study were to investigate the impacts of acute aerobic exercise on circulating levels of hormones associated with energy metabolism, namely leptin, nesfatin-1 and irisin, in trained and untrained male subjects and to determine whether the timing of the exercise (i.e. morning or night) amplified these impacts. Thirty trained (19.2±0.7 years) and 30 untrained (19.5±0.6 years) male subjects performed two aerobic running exercises (3 days between tests) to 64-76% of the subjects' maximal heart rate for about 30 min. Pre- and post-exercise venous blood samples were taken and analysed for leptin, nesfatin-1 and irisin using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Paired samples and independent samples t-tests were used to analyse data. Irisin levels increased in all the subjects (p<0.001). In both groups, nesfatin-1 levels increased significantly after the night-time exercise (p<0.05). Importantly, leptin and nesfatin-1 levels varied among the trained and untrained groups: Both leptin and nesfatin-1 levels increased in 4 (13%) and 12 (40%) subjects, respectively, after the morning exercises, and they increased in 9 (30%) and 10 (33%) subjects, respectively, after the night-time exercise. They decreased in 5 (16%) and 7 (23%) subjects, respectively, after the morning exercise and in 6 (20%) and 3 (10%) subjects, respectively, after the night-time exercise. Exercise may result in increased energy consumption by altering irisin levels. However, due to variations among individuals, increasing leptin and nesfatin-1 levels by reducing food intake may not be applicable.

Role of Brain NUCB2/nesfatin-1 in the Stress-induced Modulation of Gastrointestinal Functions

Background

Nucleobindin2 (NUCB2)/nesfatin-1 plays a well-established role in homeostatic functions associated with food intake and stress integration.

Aim

This review focusses on NUCB2/nesfatin-1’s central effects on gastrointestinal functions and will summarize the effects on food intake, motility and secretion with focus on the upper gastrointestinal tract.

Results

We will highlight the stressors that influence brain NUCB2/nesfatin-1 expression and discuss functional implications. In addition to traditional acute psychological and physical stressors such as restraint stress and abdominal surgery we will look at immunological, visceral and metabolic stressors as well as a chronic combination stress model that have been shown to affect NUCB2/nesfatin-1 signaling and describe associated functional consequences.

Development of a Noncontact Kickboxing Circuit Training Protocol That Simulates Elite Male Kickboxing Competition

The aim of this study was to verify whether the specific kickboxing circuit training protocol (SKCTP) could reproduce kickboxing combat's hormonal, physiological, and physical responses. Twenty athletes of regional and national level volunteered to participate in the study (mean ± SD, age: 21.3 ± 2.7 years; height: 170 ± 0.5 cm; body mass: 73.9 ± 13.9 kg). After familiarization, SKCTP was conducted 1 week before a kickboxing competition. Cortisol, testosterone, growth hormone (GH), blood lactate [La], and glucose concentrations, as well as the Wingate upper-body test and countermovement jump (CMJ) performances were measured before and after SKCTP and combat. Heart rate (HR) and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were measured throughout rounds (R) R1, R2, and R3. Testosterone, GH, glucose, [La], HR, RPE, and CMJ did not differ among the 2 conditions (p > 0.05). However, Cortisol was higher for competition (p = 0.038), whereas both peak (p = 0.003) and mean power (p < 0.001) were higher in SKCTP. The study suggests that SKCTP replicates the hormonal, physiological, and physical aspects of competition. It is therefore suggested as a good form of specific kickboxing training, as well as a specific assessment tool to be used by kickboxing coaches to quantify kickboxers' fitness levels, when physiological parameters responses to the test are measured.

Effects of exercise at individual anaerobic threshold and maximal fat oxidation intensities on plasma levels of nesfatin-1 and metabolic health biomarkers

Exercise is recognized as an effective method of weight management and short-term appetite regulation tool. The effect of different exercise intensities on appetite regulation hormones in healthy overweight participants has not been intensively studied. The aim of this study was to examine the influence of exercise at individual anaerobic threshold (IAT) and maximal fat oxidation (Fatmax) intensities on the nesfatin-1 response and metabolic health biomarkers in overweight men. Nine healthy overweight males (age, 23.1 ± 1.1 years) volunteered in this study in a counterbalanced order. Blood samples were obtained before, immediately after, and following the first 45 min of recovery for measuring plasma variables. There was significant decrease in plasma levels of nesfatin-1 and leptin after exercise at the IAT intensity which remained lower than baseline following 45 min of recovery. However, nesfatin-1 and leptin levels did not change significantly in any time courses of Fatmax intensity (P > 0.09). Plasma interleukin-6 (IL-6) concentration increased during exercise in both intensities (P < 0.05), whereas changes in free fatty acids (FFAs) and epinephrine concentrations were significant only at the IAT. In addition, a significant correlation was found among nesfatin-1 levels with insulin (r = 0.39, P < 0.05) and glucose (r = 0.41, P < 0.05) at basal and in response to exercise. These results indicate that IAT has a greater exercise-induced appetite regulation effect compared with Fat(max). Based on these data, the intensity of exercise may have an important role in changes of nesfatin-1, leptin, FFA, and epinephrine concentrations even though this was not the case for IL-6 and insulin resistance.

Multi-functional peptide hormone NUCB2/nesfatin-1

The recently discovered nesfatin-1 is regulated by hunger and satiety. The precursor protein NUCB2 is proteolytically cleaved into three resulting fragments: nesfatin-1, nesfatin-2, and nesfatin-3. The middle segment of nesfatin-1 (M30) is responsible for limiting food intake, while the exact physiological role of nesfatin-2 and nesfatin-3 are not currently known yet. This hormone plays role/roles on diabetic hyperphagia, epilepsy, mood, stress, sleeping, anxiety, hyperpolarization, depolarization, and reproductive functions. This review will address nesfatin, focusing on its discovery and designation, biochemical structure, scientific evidence of its anorexigenic character, the results of the human and animal studies until the present day, its main biochemical and physiological effects, and its possible clinical applications.

Liver and plasma nesfatin-1 responses to 6 weeks of treadmill running with or without zizyphus jujuba liquid extract in female rat

BACKGROUND

Nesfatin-1 is a protein derived from a precursor molecule of the nucleobindin-2 gene, and acts as an anorexigenic peptide on food intake behavior, and its level isinfluenced by nutritional status, food composition [fat and carbohydrate (CHO)], and physical exercise.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of 6 weeks of treadmill running (at high intensity) program with and without zizyphus jujuba (high carbohydrate content) crud extraction on liver nesfatin-1, ATP, glycogen, and its plasma concentrations in female rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twenty-eight Wistar female rats (6-8 weeks old100-120 g of weight) were randomly assigned to saline-control (SC), saline-training (ST), zizyphus jujuba-control (ZJC), and zizyphus jujuba-training (ZJT) groups. Rats ran on a motor-driven treadmill at 35 m/min, 60 min/day, 5 days/week for 6 weeks. Animals received ZJ extraction and saline at the dose of 1.25 mL/100g of body weight. Seventy-two hours after the last training session rats were killed, a portion of liver excited, and plasma was collected for nesfatin-1, ATP, and glycogen measurements. A one-way ANOVA method, and Pearson correlation were employed. P < 0.05 was considered as significant.

RESULTS

A higher and significant liver nesfatin-1 level was found in ZJ groups (p < 0.005), but plasma nesfatin-1 responded differently. Changes in liver nesfatin-1 were accompanied with an increase in liver glycogen,but not ATP contents.

CONCLUSIONS

The Findings indicate that higher liver nesfatin-1 and glycogen content by ZJ extraction might be due to the ZJ high CHO content, and it could be consideredas an anti-appetite herb.

Nucleobindins: bioactive precursor proteins encoding putative endocrine factors?

The nucleobindins, nucleobindin 1 (NUCB1) and nucleobindin 2 (NUCB2), are homologous multidomain calcium and DNA binding proteins. NUCB1 is a well-characterized Golgi protein found within the rat pituitary, liver and kidney with functions related to immunity, calcium homeostasis and G protein signaling. NUCB2 is found both in the hypothalamus and brain stem centers, as well as peripherally in the digestive tract. Renewed interest in the nucleobindins has been sparked by the recent discovery of nesfatin-1, an endocrine factor post-translationally processed from the N-terminal of NUCB2. Nesfatin-1 has quickly established itself as a novel regulator of appetite, insulin secretion, energy homeostasis and reproduction with important consequences to the etiology of metabolic diseases including diabetes and obesity. The discovery of nesfatin-1 and it endocrine functions attracted more attention to the nucleobindins that are already known to have important intracellular functions. From the sequence information available, it is possible that nucelobindins itself or nesfatin-1 like peptides within the NUCB1 could also elicit nesfatin-1-like biological functions. The research on nesfatin-1 in last 5years further adds to the importance of nucleobindins as potential endocrine precursors. This review aims to summarize some of the most recent findings on the functional significance of NUCB1, NUCB2, as well as encoded proteins and highlights the questions that remain unanswered.

A novel adipocytokine, nesfatin-1 modulates peripheral arterial contractility and blood pressure in rats

Nesfatin-1 is a novel adipocytokine which exerts not only anorexigenic but also hypertensive roles through acting on hypothalamus melanocortin-3/4 receptors. Although it is logical to hypothesize that nesfatin-1 could also affect the contractile reactivity of peripheral blood vessels, it still remains to be examined. The present study was performed to test the hypothesis. In both endothelium-intact and -denuded mesenteric artery of rats, acute treatment with nesfatin-1 (10nM, 30min pretreatment) had no influence on the noradrenaline- and 5-hydroxytryptamine-induced concentration-dependent contractions. Chronic treatment of mesenteric artery with nesfatin-1 (10nM, 3days) using organ-culture method had also no influence on the agonists-induced contractions. In contrast, nesfatin-1 (10nM, 30min) significantly inhibited the sodium nitroprusside (SNP)-induced relaxations of smooth muscle in mesenteric artery. A membrane permeable cyclic GMP (cGMP) analog, 8-bromo-cGMP-induced relaxations were not affected by nesfatin-1. Consistently, the SNP-induced cGMP production in smooth muscle was impaired by nesfatin-1. Intravenous application of nesfatin-1 to rats not only increased blood pressure but also impaired the SNP-induced decreases in blood pressure. The present study for the first time reveals that nesfatin-1 affects peripheral arterial blood vessel and inhibits the nitric oxide donor-induced smooth muscle relaxations via impairing the cGMP production. The results are the first to demonstrate that nesfatin-1 modulates blood pressure through directly acting on peripheral arterial resistance.