The delta-opioid signal transduction on the gonadotropin-releasing hormone release is eicosanoid dependent

Presence of delta opioid receptors on a subset of hypothalamic gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons

Opioid peptides exert an inhibitory effect on hypothalamic gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) secretion mainly by interacting with mu-opioid receptors. Although a direct role for opioids via delta-opioid receptors (DORs) has been suggested, the presence of these receptors on GnRH neurons has never been demonstrated. In the present study, we determined the distribution of DORs in the basal hypothalamus of rat with special focus on their relation to GnRH neurons. Double-labelling immunofluorescence and confocal microscopy revealed that DORs are exclusively present in a subpopulation of GnRH nerve terminals, with the highest density in the external layer of the median eminence. We then studied the functional characteristics of DORs in an immortalized GnRH-secreting neuronal cell line (GT1-1) known to endogenously express this receptor. Here, pertussis toxin pretreatment abolished the delta-agonist (DPDPE) inhibitory effect on cAMP accumulation. We also analyzed the type of G proteins involved in the signal transduced by the DOR and showed that GT1-1 cells express the inhibitory Go and Gi2 alpha-subunits. However, only Go was down-regulated under chronic DPDPE exposure. Finally, since DOR is expressed postnatally in brain, we compared GnRH neuronal cells immortalized at different developmental stages (the more mature GT1-1 and GT1-7 cells, versus the more immature GN11 cells), evidencing that only mature neurons express DOR. In conclusion, our study indicates that a direct control of opioids via delta-receptors occurs on GnRH neurons and validates the use of GT1 cells to further investigate the nature of the DOR present on GnRH neurons.

Delta opioid receptors are involved in morphine-induced inhibition of luteinizing hormone releasing hormone in SK-N-SH cells

Opioids play an important role in the regulation of lutenizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH). In the present study, we attempted to find out the subtype of opioid receptors involved in the inhibitory effect of morphine on LHRH. Experiments were conducted on SK-N-SH neuroblastoma cells that express both micro and delta opioid receptors, LHRH mRNA, and release the LHRH peptide. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was employed to measure the levels of LHRH. LHRH level was decreased by 1000 microM of morphine regardless of the duration of exposure or differentiation status of the SK-N-SH cells and was not reversed by naloxone. Selective antagonism of micro opioid receptors, but not delta opioid receptors, allowed lower concentrations (1-100 microM) of morphine to inhibit LHRH. The results of this study imply that (1) delta opioid receptors may mediate the inhibitory effect of lower concentrations of morphine on LHRH levels in SK-N-SH cells, and (2) inhibition of LHRH level by high concentrations of morphine may involve systems other than opioid receptors.

Changes in hypothalamic prostaglandin E2 may predict the occurrence of sleep or wakefulness as assessed by parallel EEG and microdialysis in the rat

Prostaglandin (PG) E2 is produced by mammalian hypothalamus and when administered exogenously prolongs wakefulness. In order to study the relation of endogenous hypothalamic PGE2 to sleep and wakefulness, we have used microdialysis in freely moving rats associated with EEG recording. Male Wistar rats were implanted with three cortical electrodes and with a guide cannula for microdialysis in the space between the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) and the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH). PGE2 was measured by RIA in 3- or 6-min dialysates 15 days after surgery, when sleep patterns were normal again and PGE2 production stabilised. PGE2 levels were significantly higher during wakefulness (601 +/- 35 pg/ml, 5 experiments, 35 samples) than during slow-wave sleep (487 +/- 24 pg/ml, 5 experiments, 49 samples). Samples corresponding to paradoxical sleep showed a tendency towards higher PGE2 values compared to slow-wave sleep but lower compared to wakefulness. In epochs of wakefulness or sleep lasting at least 12 min, high PGE2 levels in the middle of wakefulness regularly dropped, thus announcing the occurrence of sleep. During sleep, PGE2 first went on dropping and then reincreased towards the values that characterize early periods of wakefulness. In its turn, this reincrease in PGE2 announced the end of sleep and the imminent occurrence of wakefulness. It is the first study to our knowledge showing that the evolvement in endogenous PG profile may predict the occurrence of sleep or wakefulness.

Specific delta-opioid antagonists exert an agonist-independent inhibitory effect, similar to the agonist, on the release of GnRH in vitro

1. In in vitro studies with adult male rats we have recently shown that the delta-opioid agonist DTLET inhibits the release of the Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH) from hypothalamic fragments containing the arcuate nucleus and the median eminence. This effect is receptor mediated and eicosanoid dependent (Gerozissis et al., 1993). 2. In the present study we report that the delta-opioid antagonists with negative intrinsic activity, Diallyl-G and ICI 174864, applied under the same experimental conditions (30 min static incubations at 37 degrees C, in a potassium rich milieu), in the absence of the agonist DTLET, also exert a similar to the agonist inhibitory effect on the release of GnRH. 3. The dose-dependent inhibitory effect of Diallyl-G on GnRH release is reversed by increasing concentrations of DTLET. The mu and delta opioid antagonist, naloxone is without effect in the absence of DTLET. However, naloxone acts as an antagonist on the Diallyl-G-induced inhibition of GnRH release. 4. Diallyl-G also inhibits the release of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). In the presence of indomethacin or nordihydroguaiaretic acid, Diallyl-G is ineffective to further inhibit the release of GnRH. These latter observations taken together with the results of eicosanoid estimation suggest that PGE2 but not leukotrienes participate in the agonist-independent effects of Diallyl-G on GnRH release. 5. Therefore these results support the hypothesis that delta-opioid antagonists with negative intrinsic activity exert agonist-independent biological responses similar to those of the agonists.

Beta-endorphin inhibits prostaglandin synthesis in rat ovaries and blocks induced ovulation

The aim of the present study was to explore the action of exogenous beta-endorphin on the number of oocytes ovulated and on prostaglandin (PG) production in ovaries isolated from pregnant mare's serum gonadotropin/human chorionic gonadotropin(PMSG/hCG)-primed immature rats. An intrabursal injection of the opioid (0.084 microgram) was given 4 hours after hCG and the number of oocytes within the oviducts on the following morning was reduced (P < 0.05). The same effect was also attained with an intraperitoneal (IP) injection (0.5 microgram). The time course of PG synthesis was quantified in ovaries of rats treated with an IP injection. Eight hours after hCG, prostaglandin content increased (P < 0.01) and remained high until 12 hours after hCG (P < 0.001). This increase was inhibited by the in vivo treatment with beta-endorphin. On isolated ovaries, beta-endorphin (10(-8) M) had a clear inhibitory action on prostaglandin production. beta-Endorphin's effect on prostaglandin synthesis in the ovaries is of importance in the ovulatory process. The possible physiological role of beta-endorphin merits further investigation.