alpha-MSH and zona glomerulosa function in the rat

Dysregulation of Cortisol Metabolism in Equine Pituitary Pars Intermedia Dysfunction

Equine Cushing disease [pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction (PPID)] is a common condition of older horses, but its pathophysiology is complex and poorly understood. In contrast to pituitary-dependent hyperadrenocorticism in other species, PPID is characterized by elevated plasma ACTH but not elevated plasma cortisol. In this study, we address this paradox and the hypothesis that PPID is a syndrome of ACTH excess in which there is dysregulation of peripheral glucocorticoid metabolism and binding. In 14 horses with PPID compared with 15 healthy controls, we show that in plasma, cortisol levels and cortisol binding to corticosteroid binding globulin were not different; in urine, glucocorticoid and androgen metabolites were increased up to fourfold; in liver, 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD1) expression was reduced; in perirenal adipose tissue, 11β-HSD1 and carbonyl reductase 1 expression was increased; and tissue cortisol levels were not measurably different. The combination of normal plasma cortisol with markedly enhanced urinary cortisol metabolite excretion and dysregulated tissue-specific steroid-metabolizing enzymes suggests that cortisol clearance is increased in horses with PPID. We infer that the ACTH excess may be compensatory and pituitary pathology and autonomous secretion may be a secondary rather than primary pathology. It is possible that successful therapy in PPID may be targeted either at lowering ACTH or, paradoxically, at reducing cortisol clearance.

Plasma concentrations of alpha-MSH, AgRP and leptin in lean and obese men and their relationship to differing states of energy balance perturbation

OBJECTIVE

A great deal of attention has focused on the central role of alpha melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) and its antagonism at the melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) by agouti related protein (AgRP) in the regulation of energy balance. However, very little is known regarding the function of circulating AgRP and alpha-MSH in humans. We aimed to determine whether circulating alpha-MSH and AgRP are responsive to long-term perturbations in energy balance, in a manner consistent with their central putative functions.

DESIGN AND MEASUREMENTS

Circulating alpha-MSH, AgRP and leptin were measured in both lean (n = 11) and obese (n = 18) male volunteers, some of whom (lean n = 11, obese n = 12) were then allocated one of two weight-loss dietary strategies to achieve about 5% weight loss. This was achieved by either total starvation (for 4-6 days) for rapid weight loss or a very low calorie diet (VLCD, 2.6 MJ/day) (11-12 days) for less rapid weight loss, in both the lean and obese volunteers.

RESULTS

At baseline, prior to any weight loss both plasma alpha-MSH (15.8 +/- 1.2 vs. 5.8 +/- 1.0 pmol/l +/- SEM; P < 0.001) and AgRP (49.4 +/- 2.4 vs. 10.1 +/- 0.9 pg/ml +/- SEM; P < 0.001) were elevated in obese subjects compared with lean. In both cases this correlated closely with fat mass (P < 0.001), percentage body fat (P < 0.001) and leptin (P < 0.05). Plasma AgRP increased significantly during a 6-day fast in lean individuals (11.1 +/- 1.6 vs. 21.6 +/- 3.1 pg/ml +/- SEM; P < 0.05) but not in the VLCD subjects or in the obese, while alpha-MSH was not affected by any changes in energy balance in either the lean or the obese volunteers.

CONCLUSION

We show a difference in alpha-MSH and AgRP in lean and obese subjects that correlates closely with body fat at baseline. We demonstrate an increase in plasma AgRP during a 6-day fast in lean individuals that is coincident with a decrease in plasma leptin. This increase in AgRP was not due to weight loss per se as there was no change in AgRP as a result of the same weight loss in the VLCD intervention in lean individuals. The source of the increase in plasma AgRP and its physiological function in the periphery remains to be elucidated but we suggest that the dynamics of the change in plasma leptin may determine the elevation in fasting plasma AgRP in lean subjects.

Agouti-related protein has an inhibitory paracrine role in the rat adrenal gland

alpha-Melanocyte-stimulating-hormone (alpha-MSH) is an agonist at the melanocortin 3 receptor (MC3-R) and melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4-R). alpha-MSH stimulates corticosterone release from rat adrenal glomerulosa cells in vitro. Agouti-related protein (AgRP) an endogenous antagonist at the MC3-R and MC4-R, is expressed in the adrenal gland. We investigated the expression of the MC3-R and MC4-R and the role of AgRP in the adrenal gland. MC3-R and MC4-R expression was detected in rat adrenal gland using RT-PCR. The effect of AgRP on alpha-MSH-induced corticosterone release was investigated using dispersed rat adrenal glomerulosa cells. AgRP administered alone did not affect corticosterone release, but co-administration of AgRP and alpha-MSH attenuated alpha-MSH-induced corticosterone release. To investigate glucocorticoid feedback, adrenal AgRP expression was compared in rats treated with dexamethasone to controls. AgRP mRNA was increased in rats treated with dexamethasone treatment compared to controls. Our findings demonstrate that adrenal AgRP mRNA is regulated by glucocorticoids. AgRP acting via the MC3-R or MC4-R may have an inhibitory paracrine role, blocking alpha-MSH-induced corticosterone secretion.

Control of adrenal cell proliferation by AT1 receptors in response to angiotensin II and low-sodium diet

The effects of angiotensin II (ANG II), the angiotensin type 1 (AT1) receptor antagonist losartan, and low-sodium diet on rat adrenal cell proliferation were studied in vivo with immunocytochemistry. Both ANG II and low-sodium diet increased proliferation of endothelial cells of the zona glomerulosa. Losartan prevented ANG II-induced hyperplasia of glomerulosa cells but not the effects of a low-sodium diet. Glomerulosa cells after ANG II + losartan treatment appeared hypertrophied compared with those of controls. Proliferative effects of ANG II and low-sodium diet in the reticularis were blocked by losartan. No changes were seen in the fasciculata. Proliferation in the medulla was increased with losartan, was decreased by ANG II, but was unaffected by low-sodium diet. In conclusion, 1) cell hypertrophy and proliferation of glomerulosa cells are mediated by AT1 receptor-dependent and -independent processes, 2) proliferation of reticularis cells is controlled by AT1 receptors, and 3) reciprocal control of chromaffin cell proliferation by ANG II may involve indirect AT1-dependent processes.

Endorphin and MSH in concert form the corticotropic principle released by tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus; Teleostei) melanotropes

HPLC characterization of tilapia pituitary endorphins using an antibody specific for N-terminally acetylated endorphins yielded three major peaks in the neurointermediate lobe, but none in the pars distalis. The melanotropes secreted two of the immunoreactive products in vitro, one of which coeluted with Xenopus laevis N-ac-beta-END(1-8). This immunoreactive fraction also coeluted with diacetyl-alpha-MSH. Evidence is presented that the noteworthy corticotropic potency of this HPLC fraction, previously attributed to diacetyl-alpha-MSH, results from END and MSH acting in a coordinated fashion. Confinement stress had no effect on plasma N-ac-beta-END immunoreactivity, but led to a decrease in plasma alpha-MSH levels. Therefore, it seems unlikely that the corticotropic action of the peptides regulates the elevation of cortisol production that takes place during confinement, but it may play a role during other forms of stress that are known to activate the melanotropes.

Proopiomelanocortin-derived peptides, phosphoinositides, cAMP, and aldosterone secretion

Since the intracellular messengers of various proopiomelanocortin-derived peptides remain ambiguous at best, we have investigated the possible involvement of phosphoinositide metabolism in aldosterone secretion evoked by alpha-MSH, beta-LPH, as well as ACTH in rat and calf adrenal glomerulosa cells. We have also examined the cAMP responses in the adrenal glomerulosa cells to alpha-MSH comparing it with those of ACTH. Our results showed that neither alpha-MSH, beta-LPH, nor ACTH increased inositol triphosphate (IP3) or other inositol phosphates in adrenal glomerulosa cells while increasing aldosterone secretion from the same cells. Angiotensin II, known to cause hydrolysis of the phosphoinositides, increased IP3 in these adrenal cells in a dose-dependent manner. Both ACTH and alpha-MSH raised the cAMP levels in the calf adrenal glomerulosa cells, although the magnitude of the increase of cAMP in response to ACTH was greater. These findings suggest that IP3 as a mediator of alpha-MSH- and beta-LPH-induced aldosterone secretion is not likely and other mediator(s) may be involved.

Increased production of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone in the pituitary gland of patients with untreated Addison's disease

There is evidence that peptides related to alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) are involved in regulating the zona glomerulosa of the adrenal cortex in certain species. We have investigated the amount of immunoreactive (IR)-alpha-MSH in the human pituitary gland of patients suffering from Addison's disease. We show increased numbers of cells containing demonstrable IR-alpha-MSH in the anterior lobe in these patients. Using an antiserum with specificity for the acetylated N-terminus of alpha-MSH we suggest that the major form present is desacetyl-alpha-MSH. These findings are in keeping with a role for anterior lobe derived desacetyl-alpha-MSH in the regulation of the human adrenal cortex.

Acute effects of alpha-MSH on the rat zona glomerulosa in vivo

alpha-MSH acutely enhanced the plasma concentration of aldosterone (but not that of corticosterone) in the rat, with a maximal response at a dose of 100 micrograms/kg. This dose of alpha-MSH increased the blood level o aldosterone and the activity of 11 beta-hydroxylase and 18-hydroxylase of capsular adrenals in rats infused for 24 h with dexamethasone, dexamethasone plus ACTH, or captopril plus angiotensin II, but not in animals treated with captopril alone. The plasma concentration of corticosterone and the activity of 11 beta-hydroxylase in the inner adrenal layers were not changed. These findings indicate that alpha-MSH is specifically involved in the acute stimulation of the late steps of the secretory activity of the rat zona glomerulosa, and that this action of alpha-MSH requires a normal level of circulating angiotensin II.

Non-ACTH components of adult human pituitary extracts which stimulate adrenal steroidogenesis

Human pituitary extracts were fractionated by chromatography on Sephadex G-50 and G-25, and low molecular weight components were further separated by HPLC. Eluates were tested for their activity in stimulating steroidogenesis in suspensions of rat adrenal capsule (largely zona glomerulosa) and inner zone (fasciculata/reticularis) cells. Several biologically active components were reproducibly isolated. Three stimulated glomerulosa cells specifically, and one of these was tentatively identified by HPLC and RIA criteria as desacetyl-alpha-MSH. Alpha-MSH was not detected. One component stimulated both cell types but two others stimulated inner zone cells, and were without effect on glomerulosa cells: this type of activity has not previously been described, and is not associated with any peptide derived from pro-opiomelanocortin which has so far been tested. The data suggest that, in addition to corticotrophin, further pituitary peptides may be involved in the control of adrenocortical function.

Effects of chronic administration of a methionine-enkephalin analogue on the zona glomerulosa of the rat adrenal cortex

The effects of D-ala2-met-enkephalinamide (DALA) on the zona glomerulosa of dexamethasone-ACTH-treated rats were investigated by coupled radioimmunologic and morphometric techniques. Short-term DALA administration provoked a significant increase in the aldosterone plasma level along with a notable lipid droplet depletion in zona glomerulosa cells. Long-term DALA treatment induced a striking hypertrophy of zona glomerulosa cells and a further rise in the blood concentration of aldosterone. These findings seem to indicate that DALA is involved not only in the acute enhancement of aldosterone output but also in the stimulation of the growth and steroidogenic capacity of rat adrenal zona glomerulosa.

The mechanism of the effect of K+ on the steroidogenesis of rat zona glomerulosa cells of the adrenal cortex: role of cyclic AMP

The effects of various concentrations of extracellular K+ (3.6-13 mM) on the steroid (corticosterone and aldosterone) and cyclic AMP outputs of capsular cells (95% zona glomerulosa) of the rat adrenal cortex were studied at different concentrations of extracellular Ca2+. Small amounts of EGTA (50 microM) were added to reduce the free Ca2+ concentrations effectively to zero at the lowest possible total Ca2+ concentration. At a total extracellular concentration of 2.5 mM Ca2+, in 27 experiments the mean values of the steroid and cAMP outputs showed a maximum at 8.4 mM K+. The increase in steroid and cAMP outputs at 5.9, 8.4 and 13 mM K+ compared with that at 3.6 mM were highly significant (p less than 0.01). The overall correlation of either corticosterone or aldosterone with cAMP outputs was also highly significant and was even better from 3.6 to 8.4 mM K+. Lowering the effective free concentration of Ca2+ to zero decreased the steroid and cAMP outputs significantly at all K+ concentrations, and no output was then significantly higher than at 3.6 mM. With the pooled data on outputs at all total Ca2+ (2.5, 0.5, 0.25, 0.10, 0.05 and 0.0 mM) and K+ (3.6, 5.9, 8.4 and 13 mM) concentrations, the correlation of either steroid with cAMP outputs was highly significant (but again optimally from 3.6 to 8.4 mM K+). Nifedipine (10(-6) to 10(-4) M) was added to the incubations with the aim of specifically inhibiting Ca2+ influx at total extracellular Ca2+ concentrations of 2.5, 1.25 and 0.25 mM and with the usual K+ concentrations. The cAMP outputs were reduced at all K+ concentrations above 3.6 mM K+. The effect was highly significant at 10(-4) M nifedipine and a total Ca2+ of 1.25 mM, which with the incubation conditions used, corresponds to the free Ca2+ concentrations in vivo. These results indicate that cAMP plays a significant role in the stimulation of steroid output by K+ particularly between 3.6 and 8.4 mM K+. In this range of K+ concentrations the stimulation of cAMP seems to be controlled by increases in Ca2+ influx. The correlation of steroid and cAMP output at the higher K+ concentrations (between 8.4 and 13 mM K) and at the various total Ca2+ concentrations is less significant. Also, with all concentrations of added nifedipine there is an 'anomalous' increase in steroid output at 13 mM K+ and at total Ca2+ concentrations of 2.5 and 1.25 mM. However, at the same K+ concentrations and at 0.25 mM Ca2+, nifedipine decreases steroid outputs.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Effects of protease inhibitors on adenylate cyclase activation and aldosterone production in rat adrenal zona glomerulosa cells

It has been shown that serine proteases are involved in aldosterone and 18-hydroxycorticosterone production by the rat adrenal zona glomerulosa in response to a variety of stimulants. From evidence presented for various tissues, including the rat adrenal cortex, the observation that adenylate cyclase can be activated by proteolytic enzymes and inhibited by protease inhibitors has led to the suggestion that serine proteases may also be involved in the hormonal stimulation of adenylate cyclase. In studies designed to test this hypothesis using protease inhibitors, only high concentrations (greater than 10(-4) M) of TAME (p-tosyl-L-arginine methyl ester) inhibited ACTH stimulated steroid and cAMP production in rat adrenal glomerulosa cells. TPCK (tosyl-L-phenylalanine chloromethylketone) and TLCK (tosyl-L-lysine chloromethylketone) were found to have a similar effect at very high concentrations (10(-2) M) but had no effect at the serine protease inhibitory concentration of 5 X 10(-6) M. Other protease inhibitors tested had no effect on ACTH-stimulated cAMP but the inhibitory effect of high concentrations of protease inhibitors on ACTH-stimulated adenylate cyclase was duplicated by the polyanion dextran sulphate. The results suggest that the inhibitors act through non-specific membrane effects and that proteases are not involved in the activation of zona glomerulosa adenylate cyclase by ACTH. In view of these findings it is concluded that a more rigorous approach should be applied to the use of protease inhibitors in whole cell systems, and that the concept of hormonal activation of adenylate cyclase via proteolytic events, which is based on studies with such inhibitors, should be reconsidered.

Responses of rat adrenal glomerulosa and inner zone cells to synthetic ACTH analogs and proopiomelanocortin-derived peptides

A comparison of the responsiveness of isolated rat adrenal decapsular and glomerulosa cells to corticotrophin 1-39 (ACTH 1-39), synthetic ACTH analogs (characterized by a shorter amino acid chain length, the substitution of certain amino acids in the natural sequence by other amino acid residues, the replacement of the C-terminal carboxyl group by an amide), and proopiomelanocortin-derived peptides was performed by measuring corticosterone and aldosterone production, respectively. The potencies of the synthetic ACTH analogs correlated closely with the length of the peptides, similarly in both zones. No activity was observed with the proopiomelanocortin-derived peptides in either zone, with the exception of beta-LPH and alpha-MSH.

alpha-MSH analogues and adrenal zona glomerulosa function

Recent studies on the control of adrenal zona glomerulosa function and aldosterone secretion have focussed attention on the role of MSH-like peptides. In particular, at low concentrations, alpha-MSH has a specific stimulatory effect on rat adrenal glomerulosa cells. The synthesis of alpha-MSH analogues which have potent and prolonged effects on melanocyte systems offers new methods of examining the specificity of this response. Two peptides were tested in which potential for a beta-turn configuration was stabilised. These were: [Nle4, D-Phe7]-alpha-MSH and the cyclic [Cys4, Cys10]-alpha-MSH. In contrast to their effects on melanocyte systems, only [Cys4, Cys10]-alpha-MSH stimulated glomerulosa cells, and it was equipotent with alpha-MSH, while [Nle4, D-Phe7]-alpha-MSH and shorter fragments had no effect when added alone. [Nle4, D-Phe7]-alpha-MSH, however, augmented the response of cells already maximally stimulated with alpha-MSH and in this respect its actions resembled those of gamma-MSH and related peptides. The augmentation produced by [Nle4, D-Phe7]-alpha-MSH and gamma 3-MSH was not additive when the two peptides were added together with alpha-MSH. The results suggest that the specificity of the alpha-MSH receptors in rat adrenal glomerulosa cells and the peptide structure-function relationships in this system are different from those described for melanocytes.