A dietary fat excess alters metabolic and neuroendocrine responses before the onset of metabolic diseases

Omega-3 fatty acids and health of auditory and vestibular systems: a comprehensive review

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to comprehensively review animal and human studies that explore the role of omega-3 PUFAs in maintaining the health of the auditory organ across all life stages.

METHODS

This narrative review involved searching Scopus, PubMed, Google Scholar, and Cochrane Library databases for relevant articles from December 1980 to July 2023.

RESULTS

some animal and human studies suggest that both deficiency and excessive intake of long-chain omega-3 PUFAs, particularly docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), can lead to auditory neural conduction impairment and reduced hearing acuity from fetal development to old age (presbycusis). These effects are likely to be dependent on the dosage. Some research indicates that an excessive intake of omega-3, rather than a deficiency, can result in nutritional toxicity and hearing impairments. Animal studies highlight the positive impact of omega-3 supplements with high DHA content in addressing hearing damage, but human research on this subject is limited. Furthermore, certain studies propose that omega-3 PUFAs may prevent or delay age-related hearing loss, with high plasma omega-3 concentration, particularly long-chain omega-3 PUFA, linked to reduced hearing loss. Additionally, consuming fish more than twice a week may be associated with a lower risk of hearing loss in adulthood, with these effects potentially influenced by age and gender. However, the majority of studies have been conducted on animals, and clinical trials are scarce. Research on the influence of omega-3 PUFAs on the peripheral and central vestibular systems remains limited.

CONCLUSION

This article delves into the impact of omega-3 on the auditory-vestibular system, exploring its influence on neurodevelopment, protection, and treatment. It not only highlights specific research gaps but also offers valuable insights for potential future studies.

Metabolic Responses to High-Fat Feeding and Chronic Psychological Stress Combination

INTRODUCTION

High-fat diet (HFD) consumption and being exposed to daily psychological stress, common environmental factors in modern lifestyle, play an important role on metabolic disorders such as glucose homeostasis impairment. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of high-fat diet (HFD) and psychological stress combination on metabolic response to chronic psychological stress in male rats.

METHOD

Male Wistar rats were divided into HFD, and normal diet (ND) groups and then into stress and nonstress subgroups. The diets were applied for 5 weeks, and psychological stress was induced for 7 consecutive days. Then, blood samples were taken to measure glucose, insulin, free fatty acids (FFA), and leptin and corticosterone concentrations. Subsequently, glucose-stimulated insulin release from pancreatic isolated islets was assessed.

RESULTS

HFD did not significantly change fasting plasma glucose, insulin and corticosterone levels, whereas increased plasma leptin (7.05 ± 0.33) and FFA (p < 0.01) levels and impaired glucose tolerance. Additionally, HFD and stress combination induced more profound glucose intolerance associated with increased plasma corticosterone (p < 0.01) and leptin (8.63 ± 0.38) levels. However, insulin secretion from isolated islets did not change in the presence of high-fat diet and/or stress.

CONCLUSION

HFD should be considered as an intensified factor of metabolic impairments caused by chronic psychological stress.

The Genetic Basis of Childhood Obesity: A Systematic Review

Overweight and obesity in childhood and adolescence represents one of the most challenging public health problems of our century owing to its epidemic proportions and the associated significant morbidity, mortality, and increase in public health costs. The pathogenesis of polygenic obesity is multifactorial and is due to the interaction among genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors. More than 1100 independent genetic loci associated with obesity traits have been currently identified, and there is great interest in the decoding of their biological functions and the gene-environment interaction. The present study aimed to systematically review the scientific evidence and to explore the relation of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and copy number variants (CNVs) with changes in body mass index (BMI) and other measures of body composition in children and adolescents with obesity, as well as their response to lifestyle interventions. Twenty-seven studies were included in the qualitative synthesis, which consisted of 7928 overweight/obese children and adolescents at different stages of pubertal development who underwent multidisciplinary management. The effect of polymorphisms in 92 different genes was assessed and revealed SNPs in 24 genetic loci significantly associated with BMI and/or body composition change, which contribute to the complex metabolic imbalance of obesity, including the regulation of appetite and energy balance, the homeostasis of glucose, lipid, and adipose tissue, as well as their interactions. The decoding of the genetic and molecular/cellular pathophysiology of obesity and the gene-environment interactions, alongside with the individual genotype, will enable us to design targeted and personalized preventive and management interventions for obesity early in life.

Dorsal raphe serotonergic neurons suppress feeding through redundant forebrain circuits

OBJECTIVE

Serotonin (5HT) is a well-known anorexigenic molecule, and 5HT neurons of dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) have been implicated in suppression of feeding; however, the downstream circuitry is poorly understood. Here we explored major projections of DRN^5HT neurons for their capacity to modulate feeding.

METHODS

We used optogenetics to selectively activate DRN^5HT axonal projections in hypothalamic and extrahypothalamic areas and monitored food intake. We next used fiber photometry to image the activity dynamics of DRN^5HT axons and 5HT levels in projection areas in response feeding and metabolic hormones. Finally, we used electrophysiology to determine how DRN^5HT axons affect downstream neuron activity.

RESULTS

We found that selective activation of DRN^5HT axons in (DRN^5HT → LH) and (DRN^5HT → BNST) suppresses feeding whereas activating medial hypothalamic projections has no effect. Using in vivo imaging, we found that food access and satiety hormones activate DRN^5HT projections to LH where they also rapidly increase extracellular 5HT levels. Optogenetic mapping revealed that DRN^5HT → LH^vGAT and DRN^5HT → LH^vGlut2 connections are primarily inhibitory and excitatory respectively. Further, in addition to its direct action on LH neurons, we found that 5HT suppresses GABA release from presynaptic terminals arriving from AgRP neurons.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings define functionally redundant forebrain circuits through which DRN^5HT neurons suppress feeding and reveal that these projections can be modulated by metabolic hormones.

The Novel Peptide Chm-273s Has Therapeutic Potential for Metabolic Disorders: Evidence from In Vitro Studies and High-Sucrose Diet and High-Fat Diet Rodent Models

The aim of this study was to develop a novel peptide potentially applicable for the treatment of metabolic conditions, such as obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D). We identified CHM-273S from the list of peptides from milk hydrolysate obtained by HPLC/MS-MS. In vitro analysis of primary murine fibroblasts indicated the potential of CHM-273S to upregulate IRS2 mRNA expression. CHM-273S showed a prominent anorexigenic effect in mice with the induction of a key mechanism of leptin signaling via STAT3 in the hypothalamus as a possible effector. In the animal model of metabolic disease, CHM-273S alleviated glucose intolerance and insulin resistance, and induced phosphorylation of Akt at Ser473 and Thr308 in the hepatocytes of high-sucrose diet-fed rats. In a murine model of T2D, CHM-273S mitigated high-fat diet-induced hyperglycemia and insulin resistance and improved low-grade inflammation by diminishing serum TNFα. Mice treated with chronic CHM-273S had a significant reduction in body weight, with a lower visceral fat pad weight and narrow adipocytes. The effects of the peptide administration were comparable to those of metformin. We show the potential of CHM-273S to alleviate diet-induced metabolic alterations in rodents, substantiating its further development as a therapeutic for obesity, T2D, and other metabolic conditions.

Nutrient Intake Differences Among Ethnic Groups and Risks of Depression

The cultural background of participants has not been considered in studies of dietary intake and depression, even though food choices are affected by culture. This study aims to examine the dietary patterns of people from diverse backgrounds and the correlation of diet and risk of depression. Relationships between depression and nutrient intake were analyzed with 4747 adult respondents from NHANES data. Multiple regressions were used with depression as dependent variable. Nutrient intake pattern differed among ethnic groups. After considering demographic factors, total fat and protein intake ratio to energy were associated with depressive symptoms among Hispanic respondents. Among White, dietary fiber and sugar were associated with depressive symptoms, and among Black, energy was associated with depressive symptoms. Total sugar and dietary fiber were associated with depressive symptoms among Asian. The relationship between depressive symptoms and nutrient intake varied based on the cultural background of participants.

Serotonin, food intake, and obesity

The role of serotonin in food intake has been studied for decades. Food intake is mainly regulated by two brain circuitries: (i) the homeostatic circuitry, which matches energy intake to energy expenditure, and (ii) the hedonic circuitry, which is involved in rewarding and motivational aspects of energy consumption. In the homeostatic circuitry, serotonergic signaling contributes to the integration of metabolic signals that convey the body's energy status and facilitates the ability to suppress food intake when homeostatic needs have been met. In the hedonic circuitry, serotonergic signaling may reduce reward-related, motivational food consumption. In contrast, peripherally acting serotonin promotes energy absorption and storage. Disturbed serotonergic signaling is associated with obesity, emphasizing the importance to understand the role of serotonergic signaling in food intake. However, unraveling the serotonin-mediated regulation of food intake is complex, as the effects of serotonergic signaling in different brain regions depend on the regional expression of serotonin receptor subtypes and downstream effects via connections to other brain regions. We therefore provide an overview of the effects of serotonergic signaling in brain regions of the homeostatic and hedonic regulatory systems on food intake. Furthermore, we discuss the disturbances in serotonergic signaling in obesity and its potential therapeutic implications.

The association between adherence to a dietary approaches to stop hypertension (DASH) diet and neuro-psychological function in young women

Background

The adherence to a Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet may have a bidirectional relationship with mental wellbeing. We aimed to evaluate the association between compliance with a DASH diet and neuro-psychological function in young women.

Methods

In this cross-sectional study, a total of 181 girls aged between 18 and 25 years were recruited. The dietary intakes of study participants were evaluated using a valid and reliable food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) containing 65 food items. Neuropsychological function of participants was evaluated using standard questionnaires.

Results

As may be expected, individuals in the highest tertile (T3) of adherence to DASH diet (highest adherence) were found to consume more folate, fruits, vegetables, low fat dairy, nuts, legume, and seed, less sweetened beverage and sodium, compared to the participants in the lowest tertile (T1, lowest adherence). There was a significant negative correlation between cognitive function and consumption of red and processed meat (r = − 0.168; p < 0.05); quality of life score with dietary sodium (r = − 0.151; p < 0.01) and depression score with dietary vegetables (r = − 0.174; p < 0.05). In multivariate multinomial logistic regression analyses adjusted for age, BMI and energy intake, adherence to a DASH-style diet was associated with a lower stress score (OR = 0.70; 95%CI: 0.34–1.47, P = 0.067; T3 vs. T1) and difficulty with sleep initiation (OR = 0.46; 95%CI: 0.21–1.00, P = 0.017; T3 vs. T1).

Conclusion

Adherence to a DASH diet may be associated with reduced stress and difficulty with initiating sleep.

Adherence to a Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension (DASH)-Style in Relation to Daytime Sleepiness

BACKGROUND

The beneficial impact of adherence to a DASH diet on several metabolic conditions and psychological well-being has been shown previously. Dietary modification can affect sleep quality. Thus, the aim of this present study was to investigate the correlation between adherence to the DASH diet and daytime sleepiness score in adolescent girls.

METHODS

A total of 535 adolescent girls aged between 12 and 18 years old were recruited from different regions of Khorasan Razavi in northeastern of Iran, using a random cluster sampling method. DASH scores were determined according to the method of Fung et al. A Persian translation of the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS-IR) was used to assess of daytime sleepiness. To investigate the correlation between DASH-style diet and daytime sleepiness score, we applied logistic regression analysis in crude and adjusted models.

RESULTS

As may be expected, participants with the greatest adherence to the DASH diet had significantly higher intakes of fruits, vegetables, low-fat dairy products, fish and nuts, and lower consumption of refined grains, red and processed meat, sugar-sweetened beverages and sweets. There was an inverse correlation between adherence to the DASH-style diet and scores for daytime sleepiness in crude model (β= -0.12; P=0.005). These findings were remained significant after adjustment for confounding variables (β= -0.08 P=0.04).

CONCLUSION

There is an inverse correlation between adherence to DASH diet and daytime sleepiness score. Further studies, particularly longitudinal studies, are required to determine whether dietary intervention may improve daytime sleepiness.

The relationship between adherence to a Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension (DASH) dietary pattern and insomnia

BACKGROUND

Adherence to a DASH- style diet has been reported to be associated with several health-related outcomes. A limited number of reports suggest that diet is an important behavioral determinant of insomnia. The current study aimed to explore the relationship between adherence to a DASH diet and the prevalence of insomnia in adolescent girls.

METHODS

A total of 488 adolescent girls aged 12-18 years old were recruited from different regions of Khorasan Razavi in northeastern of Iran, using a random cluster sampling method. DASH scores were determined according to the method of Fung et al. A validated Iranian version of the Insomnia Severity Index questionnaire was used to assess sleep insomnia. To assess the association between the DASH dietary pattern and insomnia, we applied logistic regression analysis in crude and adjusted models.

RESULTS

As may be expected, participants in the upper quintile of the DASH diet had significantly higher intakes of fruits, vegetables, low fat dairy products, fish and nuts and lower consumption of refined grains, red and processed meat, sugar-sweetened beverages and sweets. We found that a high adherence to a DASH-style diet was associated with a lower odds of insomnia (OR: 0.51; 95% CI 0.26-1.00) compared with those with lowest adherence. Similar results were found after adjustment for potential confounders.

CONCLUSIONS

There is an inverse association between adherence to DASH dietary patterns and insomnia. Further prospective studies are required to demonstrate these findings.

Inside the Diabetic Brain: Role of Different Players Involved in Cognitive Decline

Diabetes mellitus is the most common metabolic disease, and its prevalence is increasing. A growing body of evidence, both in animal models and epidemiological studies, has demonstrated that metabolic diseases like obesity, insulin resistance, and diabetes are associated with alterations in the central nervous system (CNS), being linked with development of cognitive and memory impairments and presenting a higher risk for dementia and Alzheimer's disease. The rising prevalence of diabetes together with its increasing earlier onset suggests that diabetes-related cognitive dysfunction will increase in the near future, causing substantial socioeconomic impact. Decreased insulin secretion or action, dysregulation of glucose homeostasis, impairment in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, obesity, hyperleptinemia, and inflammation may act independently or synergistically to disrupt neuronal homeostasis and cause diabetes-associated cognitive decline. However, the crosstalk between those factors and the mechanisms underlying the diabetes-related CNS complications is still elusive. During the past few years, different strategies (neuroprotective and antioxidant drugs) have emerged as promising therapies for this complication, which still remains to be preventable or treatable. This Review summarizes fundamental past and ongoing research on diabetes-associated cognitive decline, highlighting potential contributors, mechanistic mediators, and new pharmacological approaches to prevent and/or delay this complication.

Neuroprotective effects of metformin against Aβ-mediated inhibition of long-term potentiation in rats fed a high-fat diet

Metformin (Met) is used to treat neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). Conversely, high-fat diets (HFD) have been shown to increase AD risk. In this study, we investigated the neuroprotective effects of Met on β-amyloid (Aβ)-induced impairments in hippocampal synaptic plasticity in AD model rats that were fed a HFD. In this study, 32 adult male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to four groups: group I (control group, regular diet); group II (HFD+vehicle); group III (HFD+Aβ); or group IV (Met+HFD+Aβ). Rats fed a HFD were injected with Aβ to induce AD, allowed to recover, and treated with Met for 8 weeks. The rats were then anesthetized with intraperitoneal injections of urethane and placed in a stereotaxic apparatus for surgery, electrode implantation, and field potential recording. In vivo electrophysiological recordings were then performed to measure population spike (PS) amplitude and excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP) slope in the hippocampal dentate gyrus. Long-term potentiation (LTP) was induced by high-frequency stimulation of the perforant pathway. Blood samples were then collected to measure plasma levels of triglycerides, low-density lipoproteins, very low-density lipoprotein, and cholesterol. After induction of LTP, PS amplitude and EPSP slope were significantly decreased in Aβ-injected rats fed a HFD compared to vehicle-injected animals or untreated animals that were fed a normal diet. Met treatment of Aβ-injected rats significantly attenuated these decreases, suggesting that Met decreased the effects of Aβ on LTP. These findings suggest that Met treatment is neuroprotective against the detrimental effects of Aβ and HFDs on hippocampal synaptic plasticity.

Deleterious effects of lard-enriched diet on tissues fatty acids composition and hypothalamic insulin actions

Altered tissue fatty acid (FA) composition may affect mechanisms involved in the control of energy homeostasis, including central insulin actions. In rats fed either standard chow or a lard-enriched chow (high in saturated/low in polyunsaturated FA, HS-LP) for eight weeks, we examined the FA composition of blood, hypothalamus, liver, and retroperitoneal, epididymal and mesenteric adipose tissues. Insulin-induced hypophagia and hypothalamic signaling were evaluated after intracerebroventricular insulin injection. HS-LP feeding increased saturated FA content in adipose tissues and serum while it decreased polyunsaturated FA content of adipose tissues, serum, and liver. Hypothalamic C20:5n-3 and C20:3n-6 contents increased while monounsaturated FA content decreased. HS-LP rats showed hyperglycemia, impaired insulin-induced hypophagia and hypothalamic insulin signaling. The results showed that, upon HS-LP feeding, peripheral tissues underwent potentially deleterious alterations in their FA composition, whist the hypothalamus was relatively preserved. However, hypothalamic insulin signaling and hypophagia were drastically impaired. These findings suggest that impairment of hypothalamic insulin actions by HS-LP feeding was not related to tissue FA composition.

Diet-induced obesity impairs hypothalamic glucose sensing but not glucose hypothalamic extracellular levels, as measured by microdialysis

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Glucose from the diet may signal metabolic status to hypothalamic sites controlling energy homeostasis. Disruption of this mechanism may contribute to obesity but its relevance has not been established. The present experiments aimed at evaluating whether obesity induced by chronic high-fat intake affects the ability of hypothalamic glucose to control feeding. We hypothesized that glucose transport to the hypothalamus as well as glucose sensing and signaling could be impaired by high-fat feeding.

SUBJECTS/METHODS

Female Wistar rats were studied after 8 weeks on either control or high-lard diet. Daily food intake was measured after intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) glucose. Glycemia and glucose content of medial hypothalamus microdialysates were measured in response to interperitoneal (i.p.) glucose or meal intake after an overnight fast. The effect of refeeding on whole hypothalamus levels of glucose transporter proteins (GLUT) 1, 2 and 4, AMPK and phosphorylated AMPK levels was determined by immunoblotting.

RESULTS

High-fat rats had higher body weight and fat content and serum leptin than control rats, but normal insulin levels and glucose tolerance. I.c.v. glucose inhibited food intake in control but failed to do so in high-fat rats. Either i.p. glucose or refeeding significantly increased glucose hypothalamic microdialysate levels in the control rats. These levels showed exacerbated increases in the high-fat rats. GLUT1 and 4 levels were not affected by refeeding. GLUT2 levels decreased and phosphor-AMPK levels increased in the high-fat rats but not in the controls.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings suggest that, in the high-fat rats, a defective glucose sensing by decreased GLUT2 levels contributed to an inappropriate activation of AMPK after refeeding, despite increased extracellular glucose levels. These derangements were probably involved in the abolition of hypophagia in response to i.c.v. glucose. It is proposed that 'glucose resistance' in central sites of feeding control may be relevant in the disturbances of energy homeostasis induced by high-fat feeding.

Effect of chronic treatment with conventional and organic purple grape juices (Vitis labrusca) on rats fed with high-fat diet

Serra Gaucha is described as the most important wine region of Brazil. Regarding cultivars widespread in the Serra Gaucha, about 90 % of the area is occupied by vines of Vitis labrusca that is the most important specie used in grape juice production. The objective of this study was to investigate the antioxidant and neuroprotective effect of chronic intake of purple grape juice (organic and conventional) from Bordo variety (V. labrusca) on oxidative stress in different brain regions of rats supplemented with high-fat diet (HFD) for 3 months. A total of 40 male rats were randomly divided into 4 groups. Group 1 received a standard diet and water, group 2 HFD and water, group 3 HFD and conventional grape juice (CGJ), and group 4 HFD and organic grape juice (OGJ). All groups had free access to food and drink and after 3 months of treatment the rats were euthanized by decapitation and the cerebral cortex, hippocampus and cerebellum isolated and homogenized on ice for oxidative stress analysis. We observed that the consumption of calories in HFD and control groups, were higher than the groups supplemented with HFD and grape juices and that HFD diet group gain more weight than the other animals. Our results also demonstrated that HDF enhanced lipid peroxidation (TBARS) and protein damage (carbonyl) in cerebral cortex and hippocampus, reduced the non-enzymatic antioxidants defenses (sulfhydryl) in cerebral cortex and cerebellum, reduced catalase and superoxide dismutase activities in all brain tissues and enhanced nitric oxide production in all cerebral tissues. CGJ and OGJ were able to ameliorate these oxidative alterations, being OGJ more effective in this protection. Therefore, grape juices could be useful in the treatment of some neurodegenerative diseases associated with oxidative damage.

A review of lifestyle factors that contribute to important pathways associated with major depression: diet, sleep and exercise

Research on major depression has confirmed that it is caused by an array of biopsychosocial and lifestyle factors. Diet, exercise and sleep are three such influences that play a significant mediating role in the development, progression and treatment of this condition. This review summarises animal- and human-based studies on the relationship between these three lifestyle factors and major depressive disorder, and their influence on dysregulated pathways associated with depression: namely neurotransmitter processes, immuno-inflammatory pathways, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis disturbances, oxidative stress and antioxidant defence systems, neuroprogression, and mitochondrial disturbances. Increased attention in future clinical studies on the influence of diet, sleep and exercise on major depressive disorder and investigations of their effect on physiological processes will help to expand our understanding and treatment of major depressive disorder. Mental health interventions, taking into account the bidirectional relationship between these lifestyle factors and major depression are also likely to enhance the efficacy of interventions associated with this disorder.

Caffeine prevents weight gain and cognitive impairment caused by a high-fat diet while elevating hippocampal BDNF

Obesity, high-fat diets, and subsequent type 2 diabetes (T2DM) are associated with cognitive impairment. Moreover, T2DM increases the risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and leads to abnormal elevation of brain beta-amyloid levels, one of the hallmarks of AD. The psychoactive alkaloid caffeine has been shown to have therapeutic potential in AD but the central impact of caffeine has not been well-studied in the context of a high-fat diet. Here we investigated the impact of caffeine administration on metabolism and cognitive performance, both in control rats and in rats placed on a high-fat diet. The effects of caffeine were significant: caffeine both (i) prevented the weight-gain associated with the high-fat diet and (ii) prevented cognitive impairment. Caffeine did not alter hippocampal metabolism or insulin signaling, likely because the high-fat-fed animals did not develop full-blown diabetes; however, caffeine did prevent or reverse a decrease in hippocampal brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) seen in high-fat-fed animals. These data confirm that caffeine may serve as a neuroprotective agent against cognitive impairment caused by obesity and/or a high-fat diet. Increased hippocampal BDNF following caffeine administration could explain, at least in part, the effects of caffeine on cognition and metabolism.

Anti-obesity sodium tungstate treatment triggers axonal and glial plasticity in hypothalamic feeding centers

Objective

This study aims at exploring the effects of sodium tungstate treatment on hypothalamic plasticity, which is known to have an important role in the control of energy metabolism.

Methods

Adult lean and high-fat diet-induced obese mice were orally treated with sodium tungstate. Arcuate and paraventricular nuclei and lateral hypothalamus were separated and subjected to proteomic analysis by DIGE and mass spectrometry. Immunohistochemistry and in vivo magnetic resonance imaging were also performed.

Results

Sodium tungstate treatment reduced body weight gain, food intake, and blood glucose and triglyceride levels. These effects were associated with transcriptional and functional changes in the hypothalamus. Proteomic analysis revealed that sodium tungstate modified the expression levels of proteins involved in cell morphology, axonal growth, and tissue remodeling, such as actin, CRMP2 and neurofilaments, and of proteins related to energy metabolism. Moreover, immunohistochemistry studies confirmed results for some targets and further revealed tungstate-dependent regulation of SNAP25 and HPC-1 proteins, suggesting an effect on synaptogenesis as well. Functional test for cell activity based on c-fos-positive cell counting also suggested that sodium tungstate modified hypothalamic basal activity. Finally, in vivo magnetic resonance imaging showed that tungstate treatment can affect neuronal organization in the hypothalamus.

Conclusions

Altogether, these results suggest that sodium tungstate regulates proteins involved in axonal and glial plasticity. The fact that sodium tungstate could modulate hypothalamic plasticity and networks in adulthood makes it a possible and interesting therapeutic strategy not only for obesity management, but also for other neurodegenerative illnesses like Alzheimer’s disease.

Accounting for a quantitative trait locus for plasma triglyceride levels: utilization of variants in multiple genes

Background

For decades, research efforts have tried to uncover the underlying genetic basis of human susceptibility to a variety of diseases. Linkage studies have resulted in highly replicated findings and helped identify quantitative trait loci (QTL) for many complex traits; however identification of specific alleles accounting for linkage remains elusive. The purpose of this study was to determine whether with a sufficient number of variants a linkage signal can be fully explained.

Method

We used comprehensive fine-mapping using a dense set of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) across the entire quantitative trait locus (QTL) on human chromosome 7q36 linked to plasma triglyceride levels. Analyses included measured genotype and combined linkage association analyses.

Results

Screening this linkage region, we found an over representation of nominally significant associations in five genes (MLL3, DPP6, PAXIP1, HTR5A, INSIG1). However, no single genetic variant was sufficient to account for the linkage. On the other hand, multiple variants capturing the variation in these five genes did account for the linkage at this locus. Permutation analyses suggested that this reduction in LOD score was unlikely to have occurred by chance (p = 0.008).

Discussion

With recent findings, it has become clear that most complex traits are influenced by a large number of genetic variants each contributing only a small percentage to the overall phenotype. We found that with a sufficient number of variants, the linkage can be fully explained. The results from this analysis suggest that perhaps the failure to identify causal variants for linkage peaks may be due to multiple variants under the linkage peak with small individual effect, rather than a single variant of large effect.

Hypothalamic serotonin-insulin signaling cross-talk and alterations in a type 2 diabetic model

Serotonin and insulin are key regulators of homeostatic mechanisms in the hypothalamus. However, in type 2 diabetes, the hypothalamic responsiveness to serotonin is not clearly established. We used a diabetic model, the Goto Kakizaki (GK) rats, to explore insulin receptor expression, insulin and serotonin efficiency in the hypothalamus and liver by means of Akt phosphorylation. Insulin or dexfenfluramine (stimulator of serotonin) treatment induced Akt phosphorylation in Wistar rats but not in GK rats that exhibit down-regulated insulin receptor. Studies in a neuroblastoma cell line showed that serotonin-induced Akt phosphorylation is PI3-kinase dependent. Finally, in response to food intake, hypothalamic serotonin release was reduced in GK rats, indicating impaired responsiveness of this neurotransmitter. In conclusion, hypothalamic serotonin as insulin efficiency is impaired in diabetic GK rats. The insulin-serotonin cross-talk and impairment observed is one potential key modification in the brain during the onset of diabetes.

Differential insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS1)-related modulation of neuropeptide Y and proopiomelanocortin expression in nondiabetic and diabetic IRS2-/- mice

Insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes correlate with impaired leptin and insulin signaling. Insulin receptor substrate-2 deficient (IRS2(-/-)) mice are an accepted model for the exploration of alterations in these signaling pathways and their relationship with diabetes; however, disturbances in hypothalamic signaling and the effect on neuropeptides controlling food intake remain unclear. Our aim was to analyze how leptin and insulin signaling may differentially affect the expression of hypothalamic neuropeptides regulating food intake and hypothalamic inflammation in diabetic (D) and nondiabetic (ND) IRS2(-/-) mice. We analyzed the activation of leptin and insulin targets by Western blotting and their association by immunoprecipitation, as well as the mRNA levels of neuropeptide Y (NPY), proopiomelanocortin, and inflammatory markers by real-time PCR and colocalization of forkhead box protein O1 (FOXO1) and NPY by double immunohistochemistry in the hypothalamus. Serum leptin and insulin levels and hypothalamic Janus kinase 2 and signal transducer and activator of transcription factor 3 activation were increased in ND IRS2(-/-) mice. IRS1 levels and its association with Janus kinase 2 and p85 and protein kinase B activation were increased in ND IRS2(-/-). Increased FOXO1 positively correlated with NPY mRNA levels in D IRS2(-/-) mice, with FOXO1 showing mainly nuclear localization in D IRS2(-/-) and cytoplasmic in ND IRS2(-/-) mice. D IRS2(-/-) mice exhibited higher hypothalamic inflammation markers than ND IRS2(-/-) mice. In conclusion, differential activation of these pathways and changes in the expression of NPY and inflammation may exert a protective effect against hypothalamic deregulation of appetite, suggesting that manipulation of these targets could be of interest in the treatment of insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.

Reprint of: 'Brain insulin signaling: A key component of cognitive processes and a potential basis for cognitive impairment in type 2 diabetes'

Understanding of the role of insulin in the brain has gradually expanded, from initial conceptions of the brain as insulin-insensitive through identification of a role in regulation of feeding, to recent demonstration of insulin as a key component of hippocampal memory processes. Conversely, systemic insulin resistance such as that seen in type 2 diabetes is associated with a range of cognitive and neural deficits. Here we review the evidence for insulin as a cognitive and neural modulator, including potential effector mechanisms, and examine the impact that type 2 diabetes has on these mechanisms in order to identify likely bases for the cognitive impairments seen in type 2 diabetic patients.

Brain insulin signaling: a key component of cognitive processes and a potential basis for cognitive impairment in type 2 diabetes

Understanding of the role of insulin in the brain has gradually expanded, from initial conceptions of the brain as insulin-insensitive through identification of a role in regulation of feeding, to recent demonstration of insulin as a key component of hippocampal memory processes. Conversely, systemic insulin resistance such as that seen in type 2 diabetes is associated with a range of cognitive and neural deficits. Here we review the evidence for insulin as a cognitive and neural modulator, including potential effector mechanisms, and examine the impact that type 2 diabetes has on these mechanisms in order to identify likely bases for the cognitive impairments seen in type 2 diabetic patients.

Long-term consumption of fish oil-enriched diet impairs serotonin hypophagia in rats

Hypothalamic serotonin inhibits food intake and stimulates energy expenditure. High-fat feeding is obesogenic, but the role of polyunsaturated fats is not well understood. This study examined the influence of different high-PUFA diets on serotonin-induced hypophagia, hypothalamic serotonin turnover, and hypothalamic protein levels of serotonin transporter (ST), and SR-1B and SR-2C receptors. Male Wistar rats received for 9 weeks from weaning a diet high in either soy oil or fish oil or low fat (control diet). Throughout 9 weeks, daily intake of fat diets decreased such that energy intake was similar to that of the control diet. However, the fish group developed heavier retroperitoneal and epididymal fat depots. After 12 h of either 200 or 300 μg intracerebroventricular serotonin, food intake was significantly inhibited in control group (21-25%) and soy group (37-39%) but not in the fish group. Serotonin turnover was significantly lower in the fish group than in both the control group (-13%) and the soy group (-18%). SR-2C levels of fish group were lower than those of control group (50%, P = 0.02) and soy group (37%, P = 0.09). ST levels tended to decrease in the fish group in comparison to the control group (16%, P = 0.339) and the soy group (21%, P = 0.161). Thus, unlike the soy-oil diet, the fish-oil diet decreased hypothalamic serotonin turnover and SR-2C levels and abolished serotonin-induced hypophagia. Fish-diet rats were potentially hypophagic, suggesting that, at least up to this point in its course, the serotonergic impairment was either compensated by other factors or not of a sufficient extent to affect feeding. That fat pad weight increased in the absence of hyperphagia indicates that energy expenditure was affected by the serotonergic hypofunction.

Serotonin (5-HT) receptor 5A sequence variants affect human plasma triglyceride levels

Neurotransmitters such as serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) work closely with leptin and insulin to fine-tune the metabolic and neuroendocrine responses to dietary intake. Losing the sensitivity to excess food intake can lead to obesity, diabetes, and a multitude of behavioral disorders. It is largely unclear how different serotonin receptor subtypes respond to and integrate metabolic signals and which genetic variations in these receptor genes lead to individual differences in susceptibility to metabolic disorders. In an obese cohort of families of Northern European descent (n = 2,209), the serotonin type 5A receptor gene, HTR5A, was identified as a prominent factor affecting plasma levels of triglycerides (TG), supported by our data from both genome-wide linkage and targeted association analyses using 28 publicly available and 12 newly discovered single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), of which 3 were strongly associated with plasma TG levels (P < 0.00125). Bayesian quantitative trait nucleotide (BQTN) analysis identified a putative causal promoter SNP (rs3734967) with substantial posterior probability (P = 0.59). Functional analysis of rs3734967 by electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) showed distinct binding patterns of the two alleles of this SNP with nuclear proteins from glioma cell lines. In conclusion, sequence variants in HTR5A are strongly associated with high plasma levels of TG in a Northern European population, suggesting a novel role of the serotonin receptor system in humans. This suggests a potential brain-specific regulation of plasma TG levels, possibly by alteration of the expression of HTR5A.

Galanin and consummatory behavior: special relationship with dietary fat, alcohol and circulating lipids

Galanin (GAL) plays an integral role in consummatory behavior. In particular, hypothalamic GAL has a positive, reciprocal relationship with dietary fat and alcohol. In this relationship, GAL increases the consumption of fat or alcohol which, in turn, stimulates the expression of GAL, ultimately leading to overconsumption. Through actions in the amygdala, this relationship may become especially important in stress-induced food or drug intake. These effects of GAL in promoting overconsumption may involve various neurotransmitters, with GAL facilitating intake by stimulating norepinephrine and dopamine and reducing satiety by decreasing serotonin and acetylcholine. In addition, GAL in the hypothalamus stimulates the opioid, enkephalin, throughout the brain, which also promotes overconsumption. The relationship between GAL, fat, and alcohol may involve triglycerides, circulating lipids that are released by fat or alcohol and that correlate positively with hypothalamic GAL expression. In females, levels of endogenous GAL also fluctuate across the reproductive cycle, driven by a rise in the ovarian steroids, estrogen, and progesterone. They peak during the proestrous phase and also at puberty, simultaneous to a sharp increase in preference for fat to meet energy demands. Prenatal exposure to a high-fat diet also enhances hypothalamic expression of GAL into adulthood because of an increase in neurogenesis and proliferation of GAL-expressing neurons in this region. This organizational change may reflect the role of GAL in neuronal development, including neurite growth in adulthood, cell survival in aging, and cell stability in the disease state. By responding positively to fat and alcohol and guiding further neuronal development, GAL potentiates a long-term propensity to overconsume fat and alcohol.

Fat feeding of rats during pubertal growth leads to neuroendocrine alterations in adulthood

Juvenile obesity is a rising epidemic due largely to consumption of caloric dense, fat-enriched foods. Nevertheless, literature on fat-induced neuroendocrine and metabolic disturbances during adolescence, preceding obesity, is limited. This study aimed to examine early events induced by a fat diet (45% calories from saturated fat) in male rats fed the diet during the pre- and post-pubertal period. The neuroendocrine endpoints studied were the levels of circulating leptin, insulin and corticosterone, as well as their receptors in the hypothalamus and hippocampus. Hormonal levels were determined by radioimmunoassay and receptors' levels by western blot analysis. Leptinemia was increased in pubertal rats and in adult rats fed the fat diet from weaning to adulthood, but not in those fed from puberty to adulthood. Modifications in the developmental pattern from puberty to adulthood were observed for most of the brain receptors studied. In adult animals fed the fat diet from weaning onwards, the levels of leptin receptors in the hypothalamus and glucocorticoid receptors in the hippocampus were decreased compared to chow-fed controls. Switching from fat to normal chow at puberty onset restored the diet-induced alterations on circulating leptin, but not on its hypothalamic receptors. These data suggest that when a fat-enriched diet, resembling those consumed by many teenagers, provided in rats during pubertal growth, it can longitudinally influence the actions of leptin and corticosterone in the brain. The observed alterations at a preobese state may constitute early signs of the disturbed energy balance toward overweight and obesity.

A high fructose diet impairs spatial memory in male rats

Over the past three decades there has been a substantial increase in the amount of fructose consumed by North Americans. Recent evidence from rodents indicates that hippocampal insulin signaling facilitates memory and excessive fructose consumption produces hippocampal insulin resistance. Based on this evidence, the present study tested the hypothesis that a high fructose diet would impair hippocampal-dependent memory. Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats (postnatal day 61) were fed either a control (0% fructose) or high fructose diet (60% of calories). Food intake and body mass were measured regularly. After 19 weeks, the rats were given 3 days of training (8 trials/day) in a spatial version of the water maze task, and retention performance was probed 48 h later. The high fructose diet did not affect acquisition of the task, but did impair performance on the retention test. Specifically, rats fed a high fructose diet displayed significantly longer latencies to reach the area where the platform had been located, made significantly fewer approaches to that area, and spent significantly less time in the target quadrant than did control diet rats. There was no difference in swim speed between the two groups. The retention deficits correlated significantly with fructose-induced elevations of plasma triglyceride concentrations. Consequently, the impaired spatial water maze retention performance seen with the high fructose diet may have been attributable, at least in part, to fructose-induced increases in plasma triglycerides.