Pancreatic polypeptide stimulates corticosterone secretion by isolated rat adrenocortical cells

A Mechanistic Basis for the Beneficial Effects of Caloric Restriction On Longevity and Disease: Consequences for the Interpretation of Rodent Toxicity Studies

Caloric restriction in rodents has been repeatedly shown to increase life span while reducing the severity and retarding the onset of both spontaneous and chemically induced neoplasms. These effects of caloric restriction are associated with a spectrum of biochemical and physiological changes that characterize the organism's adaptation to reduced caloric intake and provide the mechanistic basis for caloric restriction's effect on longevity. Here, we review evidence suggesting that the primary adaptation appears to be a rhythmic hypercorticism in the absence of elevated adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) levels. This characteristic hypercorticism evokes a spectrum of responses, including reduced body temperature and increased metabolic efficiency, decreased mitogenic response coupled with increased rates of apoptosis, reduced inflammatory response, reduced oxidative damage to proteins and DNA, reduced reproductive capacity, and altered drug-metabolizing enzyme expression. The net effect of these changes is to (1) decrease growth and metabolism in peripheral tissues to spare energy for central functions, and (2) increase the organism's capacity to withstand stress and chemical toxicity. Thus, caloric restriction research has uncovered an evolutionary mechanism that provides rodents with an adaptive advantage in conditions of fluctuating food supply. During periods of abundance, body growth and fecundity are favored over endurance and longevity. Conversely, during periods of famine, reproductive performance and growth are sacrificed to ensure survival of individuals to breed in better times. This phenomena can be observed in rodent populations that are used in toxicity testing. Improvements over the last 30 years in animal husbandry and nutrition, coupled with selective breeding for growth and fecundity, have resulted in several strains now exhibiting larger animals with reduced survival and increased incidence of background lesions. The mechanistic data from caloric restriction studies suggest that these large animals will also be more susceptible to chemically induced toxicity. This creates a problem in comparing tests performed on animals of different weights and comparing data generated today with the historical database. The rational use of caloric restriction to control body weight to within preset guidelines is a possible way of alleviating this problem.

The possible involvement of pancreatic polypeptide in the paracrine regulation of human and rat adrenal cortex

Pancreatic polypeptide (PP) is a member of a family of 36-amino acid brain-gut peptides, including neuropeptide Y (NPY) and polypeptide YY (PYY) and acting through many subtypes of Y receptors belonging to the superfamily of the G protein-coupled receptors. PP was found to increase both glucocorticoid and cyclic-AMP production by dispersed rat and human adrenocortical cells in a concentration-dependent manner. Minimal and maximal effective concentrations were 10(-10) and 10(-8) M, respectively. The glucocorticoid secretagogue effect of 10(-8) M PP was blocked by the protein kinase A (PKA) unhibitor H-89, but not by the ACTH-receptor antagonist corticotropin-inhibiting peptide (CIP) Autoradiography showed the presence of [125I]PP binding sites in the inner zones of rat and human adrenal cortex, which were not displaced by NPY, PYY, ACTH or CIP. Sizable amounts of PP-immunoreactivity were detected in the medulla of both rat and human adrenals (about 50-100 fmol/mg); this content may give rise, upon submaximal stimulation of PP release, to local intraadrenal concentrations of about 10(-8)/10(-7) M. Collectively, these findings allow us to draw the following conclusions: (i) PP stimulates glucocorticoid secretion, acting through specific receptors coupled with the adenylate cyclase/PKA-dependent signaling pathway; and (ii) PP could be included in that group of regulatory peptides, contained in adrenal medulla, which are able to control the secretory function of the cortex acting in a paracrine manner.

Pancreatic polypeptide stimulates rat adrenal glucocorticoid secretion by activating the adenylate cyclase-dependent signaling pathway

Pancreatic polypeptide (PP) concentration-dependently raised basal corticosterone and cyclic-AMP production of dispersed rat zona fasciculata/reticularis adrenocortical cells, maximal effective concentration being 10(-7) M. 10(-7) M PP also significantly enhanced submaximally (10[-12]/10[-11] M), but not maximally (10[-9]/10[-8] M) ACTH-stimulated corticosterone and cyclic-AMP release. Corticosterone responses to PP were abolished by the specific protein kinase A (PKA) antagonist H-89 (10[-5] M). The selective ACTH-receptor antagonist corticotropin-inhibiting peptide (10[-6] M) annulled corticosterone response to 10(-9) M ACTH, but not to 10(-7) M PP. Collectively, our present findings indicate that PP stimulates glucocorticoid secretion of rat adrenal glands, acting through specific receptors coupled, like those of ACTH, with the adenylate cyclase/PKA-dependent signaling pathway.

Further investigations on the effects of neuropeptide Y on the secretion and growth of rat adrenal zona glomerulosa

NPY is a regulatory peptide, high levels of which are contained in adrenal glands of several mammals and which is co-released with catecholamines during various stressful conditions. The acute and chronic effects of NPY on adrenocortical secretion and growth were studied in the rat. NPY concentration-dependently increased aldosterone (ALDO), but not corticosterone (B) secretion of adrenal slices (maximal effective concentration was 10(-7) M). Two competitive inhibitors of NPY receptors, named PYX-1 and PYX-2, were found to dose-dependently inhibit ALDO response of adrenal preparations to 10(-7) M NPY; PYX-2 was more efficient than PYX-1, and at a concentration of 10(-5) M completely annulled the effect of 10(-7) M NPY. The acute bolus intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of NPY (3 nmol/kg) raised plasma ALDO concentration (PAC), but not that of B (PBC); this effect of NPY was blocked by the simultaneous injection of PYX-2 (300 nmol/kg). The prolonged i.p. infusion with NPY (3 nmol/kg/h for 7 days) increased PAC (but not PBC) and induced a marked hypertrophy of the zona glomerulosa (ZG) and its parenchymal cells; dispersed ZG cells obtained from NPY-infused rats displayed a significantly enhanced basal and maximally agonist-stimulated ALDO production. The simultaneous infusion with PYX-2 (300 nmol/kg/h) completely annulled all these effects of NPY. The acute or chronic administration of PYX-2 alone did not evoke any apparent effect on the ZG secretion and growth. In light of these findings the following conclusions can be drawn: (i) NPY is able to stimulate not only the secretion, but also the growth of adrenal ZG in rats, via a receptor-mediated mechanism (since this effect is blocked by PYX-2); (ii) endogenous NPY does not play a prominent role in the physiological maintenance of secretion and growth of rat ZG (since PYX-2 alone is ineffective); (iii) NPY may play a crucial role in the fine tuning of the ZG functions in conditions requiring an increased release of mineralocorticoid hormones.

Cloning and functional expression of a human Y4 subtype receptor for pancreatic polypeptide, neuropeptide Y, and peptide YY

The pancreatic polypeptide family includes pancreatic polypeptide (PP), neuropeptide Y (NPY), and peptide YY (PYY). Members of the PP family regulate numerous physiological processes, including appetite, gastrointestinal transit, anxiety, and blood pressure. Of the multiple Y-type receptors proposed for PP family members, only the Y1 subtype has been cloned previously. We now report the cloning of an additional Y-type receptor, designated Y4, by homology screening of a human placental genomic library with transmembrane (TM) probes derived from the rat Y1 gene. The Y4 genomic clone encodes a predicted protein of 375 amino acids that is most homologous to Y1 receptors from human, rat, and mouse (42% overall; 55% in TM). 125I-PYY binding to transiently expressed Y4 receptors was saturable (pKd = 9.89) and displaceable by human PP family derivatives: PP (pKi = 10.25) approximately PP2-36 (pKi = 10.06) > PYY (pKi = 9.06) approximately [Leu31,Pro34]NPY (pKi = 8.95) > NPY (pKi = 8.68) > PP13-36 (pKi = 7.13) > PP31-36 (pKi = 6.46) > PP31-36 free acid (pKi < 5). Human PP decreased [cAMP] and increased intracellular [Ca2+] in Y4-transfected LMTK- cells. Y4 mRNA was detected by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction in human brain, coronary artery, and ileum, suggesting potential roles for Y4 receptors in central nervous system, cardiovascular, and gastrointestinal function.

Neuropeptides in the adrenal gland: distribution, localization of receptors, and effects on steroid hormone synthesis

In this review we defined and classified the neuropeptides (NPs) related to the adrenal gland, according to Palkovits (Frontiers Neuroendocrinol 10:1 1988). The concentration (RIA) and distribution (immunohistochemistry) of NPs, as well as the localization of the receptors (radioligand studies) were summarized. Direct effects of NPs on aldosterone and corticosterone synthesis obtained by in vivo, in situ perfusion, and in vitro experimental approaches were reviewed. Data (from different rat strains and genders) for 35 NPs are presented.

Pancreatic polypeptide enhances plasma glucocorticoid concentration in rats: possible role in hypoglycemic stress

The acute bolus intraperitoneal (i.p.) administration of pancreatic polypeptide (PP) dose-dependently enhanced the plasma concentration of corticosterone (PBC) in hypophysectomized/ACTH replaced rats, but not that of aldosterone. Minimal and maximal effective doses were 10(-12) and 10(-10) mol/rat, respectively, and maximal PBC increase occurred between 60 and 120 min after PP injection. Insulin (1 U/kg, i.p.) evoked a net decrease in the blood glucose concentration, and marked rises in the plasma levels of PP and PBC, that attained their maximum at 60 and 120 min, respectively. The effects of insulin were annulled by the simultaneous injection of 0.5 mg/kg atropine. The effects of 1 U/kg insulin and 10(-10) mol/rat PP on PBC were not additive; atropine did not affect PBC response to PP or PP plus insulin, though annulling that to insulin alone. Taken together these findings suggest that PP plays a physiologic role in the rat as modulator of the adrenal response to the insulin-induced hypoglycemic stress.