Metabolism in adipose tissue in response to citalopram and trimipramine treatment--an in situ microdialysis study

Transcriptional changes in specific subsets of Drosophila neurons following inhibition of the serotonin transporter

The transcriptional effects of SSRIs and other serotonergic drugs remain unclear, in part due to the heterogeneity of postsynaptic cells, which may respond differently to changes in serotonergic signaling. Relatively simple model systems such as Drosophila afford more tractable microcircuits in which to investigate these changes in specific cell types. Here, we focus on the mushroom body, an insect brain structure heavily innervated by serotonin and comprised of multiple different but related subtypes of Kenyon cells. We use fluorescence-activated cell sorting of Kenyon cells, followed by either bulk or single-cell RNA sequencing to explore the transcriptomic response of these cells to SERT inhibition. We compared the effects of two different Drosophila Serotonin Transporter (dSERT) mutant alleles as well as feeding the SSRI citalopram to adult flies. We find that the genetic architecture associated with one of the mutants contributed to significant artefactual changes in expression. Comparison of differential expression caused by loss of SERT during development versus aged, adult flies, suggests that changes in serotonergic signaling may have relatively stronger effects during development, consistent with behavioral studies in mice. Overall, our experiments revealed limited transcriptomic changes in Kenyon cells, but suggest that different subtypes may respond differently to SERT loss-of-function. Further work exploring the effects of SERT loss-of-function in other circuits may be used help to elucidate how SSRIs differentially affect a variety of different neuronal subtypes both during development and in adults.

Obesity II: Establishing causal links between chemical exposures and obesity

Obesity is a multifactorial disease with both genetic and environmental components. The prevailing view is that obesity results from an imbalance between energy intake and expenditure caused by overeating and insufficient exercise. We describe another environmental element that can alter the balance between energy intake and energy expenditure: obesogens. Obesogens are a subset of environmental chemicals that act as endocrine disruptors affecting metabolic endpoints. The obesogen hypothesis posits that exposure to endocrine disruptors and other chemicals can alter the development and function of the adipose tissue, liver, pancreas, gastrointestinal tract, and brain, thus changing the set point for control of metabolism. Obesogens can determine how much food is needed to maintain homeostasis and thereby increase the susceptibility to obesity. The most sensitive time for obesogen action is in utero and early childhood, in part via epigenetic programming that can be transmitted to future generations. This review explores the evidence supporting the obesogen hypothesis and highlights knowledge gaps that have prevented widespread acceptance as a contributor to the obesity pandemic. Critically, the obesogen hypothesis changes the narrative from curing obesity to preventing obesity.

Microarray analysis of obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome for key gene screening, key pathway identification and drug prediction

PURPOSE

This study aimed to screen key genes and pathways involved in obese polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and predict drugs for treatment of obese PCOS via bioinformatics approaches.

METHODS

Microarray dataset GSE10946 were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database, including 7 cumulus cell samples from obese PCOS patients and 6 lean control samples. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between obese PCOS and controls were obtained using Bayesian test after data preprocessing, followed by functional enrichment analyses for DEGs. Besides, protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and sub-network analyses were performed. Furthermore, drug prediction was carried out based on the DEGs.

RESULTS

A total of 793 DEGs were identified in PCOS compared with control, including 352 up-regulated and 441 down-regulated DEGs. Specifically, upregulated RNA polymerase I subunit B (POLR1B), DNA polymerase epsilon 3, accessory subunit (POLE3), and DNA polymerase delta 3, accessory subunit (POLD3) were enriched in pathway of pyrimidine metabolism associated with obesity and PCOS, and 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor 2C (HTR2C) was enriched calcium signaling pathway. Additionally, 10 significant potential drugs, such as spironolactone targeting androgen receptor (AR), trimipramine targeting adrenoceptor beta 2 (ADRB2), and L-ornithine targeting ornithine decarboxylase antizyme 3 (OAZ3), were obtained.

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, POLR1B, POLE3, POLD3, and HTR2C might play important roles in obese PCOS via involvement of pyrimidine metabolism and calcium signaling pathway. Moreover, AR, ADRB2, and OAZ3 might be targets of spironolactone, trimipramine, and L-ornithine in the treatment of obese PCOS.

Adrenal activity and metabolic risk during randomized escitalopram or placebo treatment in PCOS

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is associated with insulin resistance, adrenal hyperactivity and decreased mental health. We aimed to investigate the changes in adrenal activity, metabolic status and mental health in PCOS during treatment with escitalopram or placebo.

METHODS

Forty-two overweight premenopausal women with PCOS and no clinical depression were randomized to 12-week SSRI (20 mg escitalopram/day, n = 21) or placebo (n = 21). Patients underwent clinical examination, fasting blood samples, adrenocorticotroph hormone (ACTH) test, 3-h oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and filled in questionnaires regarding mental health and health-related quality of life (HRQoL): WHO Well-Being Index (WHO-5), Major Depression Inventory (MDI), Short Form 36 (SF-36) and PCOS questionnaire.

RESULTS

Included women were aged 31 (6) years (mean (s.d.)) and had body mass index (BMI) 35.8 (6.5) kg/m² and waist 102 (12) cm. Escitalopram was associated with increased waist (median (quartiles) change 1 (0; 3) cm), P = 0.005 vs change during placebo and increased cortisol levels (cortisol 0, cortisol 60, peak cortisol and area under the curve for cortisol during ACTH test), all P  < 0.05 vs changes during placebo. Escitalopram had no significant effect on measures of insulin sensitivity, insulin secretion, fasting lipids, mental health or HRQoL.

CONCLUSION

Waist circumference and cortisol levels increased during treatment with escitalopram in women with PCOS and no clinical depression, whereas metabolic risk markers, mental health and HRQol were unchanged.