Glucocorticoid production in the thymus and brain: Immunosteroids and neurosteroids

Steroid hormone signaling: multifaceted support of testicular function

Embryonic development and adult physiology are dependent on the action of steroid hormones. In particular, the reproductive system is reliant on hormonal signaling to promote gonadal function and to ensure fertility. Here we will describe hormone receptor functions and their impacts on testicular function, focusing on a specific group of essential hormones: androgens, estrogens, progesterone, cortisol, and aldosterone. In addition to focusing on hormone receptor function and localization within the testis, we will highlight the effects of altered receptor signaling, including the consequences of reduced and excess signaling activity. These hormones act through various cellular pathways and receptor types, emphasizing the need for a multifaceted research approach to understand their critical roles in testicular function. Hormones exhibit intricate interactions with each other, as evidenced, for example, by the antagonistic effects of progesterone on mineralocorticoid receptors and cortisol's impact on androgens. In light of research findings in the field demonstrating an intricate interplay between hormones, a systems biology approach is crucial for a nuanced understanding of this complex hormonal network. This review can serve as a resource for further investigation into hormonal support of male reproductive health.

Neuroinflammation, memory, and depression: new approaches to hippocampal neurogenesis

As one of most common and severe mental disorders, major depressive disorder (MDD) significantly increases the risks of premature death and other medical conditions for patients. Neuroinflammation is the abnormal immune response in the brain, and its correlation with MDD is receiving increasing attention. Neuroinflammation has been reported to be involved in MDD through distinct neurobiological mechanisms, among which the dysregulation of neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus (DG) of the hippocampus (HPC) is receiving increasing attention. The DG of the hippocampus is one of two niches for neurogenesis in the adult mammalian brain, and neurotrophic factors are fundamental regulators of this neurogenesis process. The reported cell types involved in mediating neuroinflammation include microglia, astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, meningeal leukocytes, and peripheral immune cells which selectively penetrate the blood-brain barrier and infiltrate into inflammatory regions. This review summarizes the functions of the hippocampus affected by neuroinflammation during MDD progression and the corresponding influences on the memory of MDD patients and model animals.

Proopiomelanocortin (POMC) and psychodermatology

Psychodermatology is the crossover discipline between Dermatology and Clinical Psychology and/or Psychiatry. It encompasses both Psychiatric diseases that present with cutaneous manifestations (such as delusional infestation) or more commonly, the psychiatric or psychological problems associated with skin disease, such as depression associated with psoriasis. These problems may be the result either of imbalance in or be the consequence of alteration in the homoeostatic endocrine mechanisms found in the systemic hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis or in the local cutaneous corticotrophin-releasing factor-proopiomelanocortin-corticosteroid axis. Alteration in either of these systems can lead to immune disruption and worsening of immune dermatoses and vice-versa. These include diseases such as psoriasis, atopic eczema, acne, alopecia areata, vitiligo and melasma, all of which are known to be linked to stress. Similarly, stress and illnesses such as depression are linked with many immunodermatoses and may reflect alterations in the body's central and peripheral neuroendocrine stress pathways. It is important to consider issues pertaining to skin of colour, particularly with pigmentary disorders.

Molecular and Epigenetic Control of Aldosterone Synthase, CYP11B2 and 11-Hydroxylase, CYP11B1

Aldosterone and cortisol serve important roles in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases and metabolic disorders. Epigenetics is a mechanism to control enzyme expression by genes without changing the gene sequence. Steroid hormone synthase gene expression is regulated by transcription factors specific to each gene, and methylation has been reported to be involved in steroid hormone production and disease. Angiotensin II or potassium regulates the aldosterone synthase gene, CYP11B2. The adrenocorticotropic hormone controls the 11b-hydroxylase, CYP11B1. DNA methylation negatively controls the CYP11B2 and CYP11B1 expression and dynamically changes the expression responsive to continuous stimulation of the promoter gene. Hypomethylation status of the CYP11B2 promoter region is seen in aldosterone-producing adenomas. Methylation of recognition sites of transcription factors, including cyclic AMP responsive element binding protein 1 or nerve growth factor-induced clone B, diminish their DNA-binding activity. A methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 cooperates directly with the methylated CpG dinucleotides of CYP11B2. A low-salt diet, treatment with angiotensin II, and potassium increase the CYP11B2 mRNA levels and induce DNA hypomethylation in the adrenal gland. A close association between a low DNA methylation ratio and an increased CYP11B1 expression is seen in Cushing's adenoma and aldosterone-producing adenoma with autonomous cortisol secretion. Epigenetic control of CYP11B2 or CYP11B1 plays an important role in autonomic aldosterone or cortisol synthesis.

The Effects of Synbiotics Administration on Stress-Related Parameters in Thai Subjects-A Preliminary Study

Urbanization influences our lifestyle, especially in fast-paced environments where we are more prone to stress. Stress management is considered advantageous in terms of longevity. The use of probiotics for psychological treatment has a small amount of diverse proven evidence to support this. However, studies on stress management in stressed subjects using synbiotics are still limited. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of synbiotics on stress in the Thai population. A total of 32 volunteers were enrolled and screened using a Thai Stress Test (TST) to determine their stress status. Participants were divided into the stressed and the non-stressed groups. Synbiotics preparation comprised a mixture of probiotics strains in a total concentration of 1 × 1010 CFU/day (5.0 × 109 CFU of Lactobacillus paracasei HII01 and 5.0 × 109 CFU of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis) and 10 g prebiotics (5 g galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS), and 5 g oligofructose (FOS)). All parameters were measured at baseline and after the 12th week of the study. In the stressed group, the administration of synbiotics significantly (p < 0.05) reduced the negative scale scores of TST, and tryptophan. In the non-stressed group, the synbiotics administration decreased tryptophan significantly (p < 0.05), whereas dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), acetate and propionate were increased significantly (p < 0.05). In both groups, cortisol, and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were reduced, whereas anti-inflammatory mediator interleukin-10 (IL-10) and immunoglobulin A (IgA) levels were increased. In conclusion, synbiotics administration attenuated the negative feelings via the negative scale scores of TST in stressed participants by modulating the HPA-axis, IL-10, IgA, and LPS. In comparison, synbiotics administration for participants without stress did not benefit stress status but showed remodeling SCFAs components, HPA-axis, and tryptophan catabolism.

Editorial commentary on the special issue emerging psychoneuroimmunology research: Future leaders in focus

The theme of this BBI-Health special issue is to promote the research, creativity and forward-thinking of future key opinion leaders in the field of psychoneuroimmunology (PNI). We asked contributing researchers to identify new ideas and spaces for innovation to map out the future trajectory of our discipline. This special issue provides global and diverse views from early career investigators focused on science, society, and/or policy, with an emphasis on diversity in all its aspects. The common thread weaving through the articles contained in this special issue is that all authors were invited to consider the future of PNI while they were experiencing the global COVID-19 lockdowns that slowed down or even prevented them from access to their “hands-on” research. The contributors vary from Master level to assistant professors, and all have already significantly contributed to the field of PNI. Each contributor has provided a photograph and short biography alongside their written perspectives. We hope that you will enjoy learning about their visions for the future of PNI and will join us with enthusiasm as we watch our field grow through the advancement of their scientific careers.