Galanin participates in the functional regulation of the diabetic heart

Cardioprotective effects of neuropeptide galanin: Focusing on its roles against diabetic heart

Following an unprecedented rise in the number of the aged, the incidence of age-related diseases, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease, is consequently increasing in the world. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is associated with excess cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The diabetic heart is characterized by increased cardiomyocyte stiffness and fibrotic changes. Despite many factors resulting in cardiomyocyte injury and dysfunction in diabetes, insulin resistance is still a critical etiology of diabetic cardiomyopathy. Preclinical and clinical studies have revealed an intriguing role for galanin in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance and diabetic heart disease. A significant change in plasma galanin levels occurred in patients suffering from type 2 diabetes or cardiomyocyte injury. In turn, galanin may also distinctly mitigate hyperglycemia and insulin resistance in diabetes as well as increase glucose metabolism and mitochondrial biogenesis in cardiac muscle. Here, we critically review current data about the multivariate relationship among galanin, insulin resistance, and cardiac muscle to comprehensively evaluate the protective role of galanin and its receptors for the diabetic heart and to determine whether galanin receptor 2 agonists potentially represent a feasible way to treat diabetic cardiomyopathy in the future.

Chimeric Agonist of Galanin Receptor GALR2 Reduces Heart Damage in Rats with Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetes

Neuropeptide galanin and its N-terminal fragments reduce the generation of reactive oxygen species and normalize metabolic and antioxidant states of myocardium in experimental cardiomyopathy and ischemia/reperfusion injury. The aim of this study was to elucidate the effect of WTLNSAGYLLGPβAH-OH (peptide G), a pharmacological agonist of the galanin receptor GalR2, on the cardiac injury induced by administration of streptozotocin (STZ) in rats. Peptide G was prepared by solid phase peptide synthesis using the Fmoc strategy and purified by preparative HPLC; its structure was confirmed by 1H-NMR spectroscopy and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Experimental animals were randomly distributed into five groups: C, control; S, STZ-treated; SG10, STZ + peptide G (10 nmol/kg/day); SG50, STZ + peptide G (50 nmol/kg/day); G, peptide G (50 nmol/kg/day). Administration of peptide G prevented hyperglycemia in SG50 rats. By the end of the experiment, the ATP content, total pool of adenine nucleotides, phosphocreatine (PCr) content, and PCr/ATP ratio in the myocardium of animals of the SG50 group were significantly higher than in rats of the S group. In the SG50 and SG10 groups, the content of lactate and lactate/pyruvate ratio in the myocardium were reduced, while the glucose content was increased vs. the S group. Both doses of peptide G reduced the activation of creatine kinase-MB and lactate dehydrogenase, as well as the concentration of thiobarbituric acid reactive products in the blood plasma of STZ-treated rats to the control values. Taken together, these results suggest that peptide G has cardioprotective properties in type 1 diabetes mellitus. Possible mechanisms of peptide G action in the STZ-induced diabetes are discussed.

Modified N-Terminal Fragments of Galanin: Cardioprotective Properties and Mechanisms of Action

The design of new drugs for treatment of cardiovascular diseases based on endogenous peptide hormones is of undoubted interest and stimulates intensive experimental research. One of the approaches for development in this area is synthesis of the short bioactive peptides that mimic effects of the larger peptide molecules and have improved physicochemical characteristics. In recent years, it has been found that the N-terminal fragments of the neuropeptide galanin reduce metabolic and functional disorders in the experimental heart damage. The review presents literature data and generalized results of our own experiments on the effects of the full-size galanin and its chemically modified N-terminal fragments (2-11) and (2-15) on the heart in normal conditions and in modeling pathophysiological conditions in vitro and in vivo. It has been shown that the spectrum of the peptide actions on the damaged myocardium includes decrease in the necrotic death of cardiomyocytes, decrease in the damage of sarcolemma, improvement in the metabolic state of myocardium, decrease in the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid peroxidation (LPO) products. Mechanisms of the protective action of the modified galanin fragments associated with activation of the GalR2 receptor subtype and manifestation of antioxidant properties are discussed. The data summarized in the review indicate that the molecular design of pharmacological agonists of the GalR2 receptor is a promising approach, because they can serve as a basis for the development of cardioprotectors influencing processes of free radical oxidation and metabolic adaptation.

Neuropeptide galanin and its effects on metabolic and reproductive disturbances in female rats with estradiol valerate (EV) - Induced polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)

A functional role of the neuropeptide galanin, executed through the three G-protein coupled receptor subtypes GAL₁₋₃, has been demonstrated in many biological systems and under pathological circumstances. Galanin is involved in many central and peripheral actions, in particular associated with endocrine mechanisms such as anterior pituitary hormone regulation, reproduction, glucose metabolism and also inflammation. The role of galanin in the pathology of the polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and possible therapeutic effects are unknown. However, based on the well known neuroendocrine changes in PCOS patients, it may be assumed that galanin via effects on gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) secretory neurons could play a significant role in the development of PCOS. The aim of this study was to examine possible therapeutic effects of galanin on hormonal, metabolic and molecular parameters in PCOS. Accordingly, intraperitoneal injection of galanin in a dose- dependent manner in female PCOS rats induced a significant reduction in inflammatory markers (TNF-α, IL-6), an increase in FSH and a decrease in LH, insulin and testosterone (using ELISA kit) compared to the PCOS groups. Moreover, data from real-time quantitative PCR showed significantly ameliorated changes in the mRNA levels of the steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR) and aromatase cytochrome P450 (CYP19). Taken together, galanin has neuroendocrine, anti- and pro-inflammatory and metabolic effects, and we therefore suggest that treatment with this peptide could represent new therapeutic approach for managing hormonal and metabolic disturbances in the PCOS disease.

Myocardial protection from ischemia/reperfusion injury by exogenous galanin fragment

Background and purpose

Galanin is a multifunctional neuropeptide with pleiotropic roles. The present study was designed to evaluate the potential effects of galanin (2-11) (G1) on functional and metabolic abnormalities in response to myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury.

Experimental approach

Peptide G1 was synthesized by the 9-fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl (Fmoc)-based solid-phase method. The chemical structure was identified by ¹H-NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. Experiments were conducted using a rat model of I/R injury in vivo, isolated perfused rat hearts ex vivo and cultured rat cardiomyoblast H9C2 cells in vitro. Cardiac function, infarct size, myocardial energy metabolism, hemodynamic parameters, plasma levels of creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were measured in order to evaluate the effects of G1 on myocardial I/R injury.

Key results

Treatment with G1 increased cell viability in a dose-dependent manner, inhibited cell apoptosis and excessive mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in response to oxidative stress in H9C2 cells. Pre- or postischemic infusion of G1 enhanced functional and metabolic recovery during reperfusion of the ischemic isolated rat heart. Administration of G1 at the onset of reperfusion significantly reduced infarct size and plasma levels of CK-MB and LDH in rats subjected to myocardial I/R injury.

Conclusions and implications

These data provide the first evidence for cardioprotective activity of galanin G1 against myocardial I/R injury. Therefore, peptide G1 may represent a promising treatment strategy for ischemic heart disease.

Cardioprotective properties of N-terminal galanin fragment (2-15) in experimental ischemia/reperfusion injury

Background and purpose

Galanin is an endogenous peptide involved in diverse physiological functions in the central nervous system including central cardiovascular regulation. The present study was designed to evaluate the potential effects of the short N-terminal galanin fragment 2-15 (G) on cardiac ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury.

Experimental Approach

Peptide G was synthesized by the automatic solid phase method and identified by 1H-NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. Experiments were performed on cultured rat cardiomyoblast (H9C2) cells, isolated perfused working rat hearts and anaesthetized open-chest rats.

Key Results

Cell viability increased significantly after treatment with 10 and 50 nM of G peptide. In hypoxia and reoxygenation conditions, exposure of H9C2 cells to G peptide decreased cell apoptosis and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Postischemic infusion of G peptide reduced cell membrane damage and improved functional recovery in isolated hearts during reperfusion. These effects were accompanied by enhanced restoration of myocardial metabolic state. Treatment with G peptide at the onset of reperfusion induced minor changes in hemodynamic variables but significantly reduced infarct size and plasma levels of necrosis markers.

Conclusion and implications

These findings suggest that G peptide is effective in mitigating cardiac I/R injury, thereby providing a rationale for promising tool for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases.

The role of neuropeptides in adverse myocardial remodeling and heart failure

In addition to traditional neurotransmitters of the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems, the heart also contains numerous neuropeptides. These neuropeptides not only modulate the effects of neurotransmitters, but also have independent effects on cardiac function. While in most cases the physiological actions of these neuropeptides are well defined, their contributions to cardiac pathology are less appreciated. Some neuropeptides are cardioprotective, some promote adverse cardiac remodeling and heart failure, and in the case of others their functions are unclear. Some have both cardioprotective and adverse effects depending on the specific cardiac pathology and progression of that pathology. In this review, we briefly describe the actions of several neuropeptides on normal cardiac physiology, before describing in more detail their role in adverse cardiac remodeling and heart failure. It is our goal to bring more focus toward understanding the contribution of neuropeptides to the pathogenesis of heart failure, and to consider them as potential therapeutic targets.

The regulative effect of galanin family members on link of energy metabolism and reproduction

It is essential for the species survival that an efficient coordination between energy storage and reproduction through endocrine regulation. The neuropeptide galanin, one of the endocrine hormones, can potently coordinate energy metabolism and the activities of hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal reproductive axis to adjust synthesis and release of metabolic and reproductive hormones in animals and humans. However, few papers have summarized the regulative effect of the galanin family members on the link of energy storage and reproduction as yet. To address this issue, this review attempts to summarize the current information available about the regulative effect of galanin, galanin-like peptide and alarin on the metabolic and reproductive events, with special emphasis on the interactions between galanin and hypothalamic gonadotropin-releasing hormone, pituitary luteinizing hormone and ovarian hormones. This research line will further deepen our understanding of the physiological roles of the galanin family in regulating the link of energy metabolism and reproduction.

The effect of a preparation of minerals, vitamins and trace elements on the cardiac gene expression pattern in male diabetic rats

Background

Diabetic patients have an increased risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, which are the leading cause of death in developed countries. Although multivitamin products are widely used as dietary supplements, the effects of these products have not been investigated in the diabetic heart yet. Therefore, here we investigated if a preparation of different minerals, vitamins, and trace elements (MVT) affects the cardiac gene expression pattern in experimental diabetes.

Methods

Two-day old male Wistar rats were injected with streptozotocin (i.p. 100 mg/kg) or citrate buffer to induce diabetes. From weeks 4 to 12, rats were fed with a vehicle or a MVT preparation. Fasting blood glucose measurement and oral glucose tolerance test were performed at week 12, and then total RNA was isolated from the myocardium and assayed by rat oligonucleotide microarray for 41012 oligonucleotides.

Results

Significantly elevated fasting blood glucose concentration and impaired glucose tolerance were markedly improved by MVT-treatment in diabetic rats at week 12. Genes with significantly altered expression due to diabetes include functional clusters related to cardiac hypertrophy (e.g. caspase recruitment domain family, member 9; cytochrome P450, family 26, subfamily B, polypeptide; FXYD domain containing ion transport regulator 3), stress response (e.g. metallothionein 1a; metallothionein 2a; interleukin-6 receptor; heme oxygenase (decycling) 1; and glutathione S-transferase, theta 3), and hormones associated with insulin resistance (e.g. resistin; FK506 binding protein 5; galanin/GMAP prepropeptide). Moreover the expression of some other genes with no definite cardiac function was also changed such as e.g. similar to apolipoprotein L2; brain expressed X-linked 1; prostaglandin b2 synthase (brain). MVT-treatment in diabetic rats showed opposite gene expression changes in the cases of 19 genes associated with diabetic cardiomyopathy. In healthy hearts, MVT-treatment resulted in cardiac gene expression changes mostly related to immune response (e.g. complement factor B; complement component 4a; interferon regulatory factor 7; hepcidin).

Conclusions

MVT-treatment improved diagnostic markers of diabetes. This is the first demonstration that MVT-treatment significantly alters cardiac gene expression profile in both control and diabetic rats. Our results and further studies exploring the mechanistic role of individual genes may contribute to the prevention or diagnosis of cardiac complications in diabetes.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12933-015-0248-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Physiology, signaling, and pharmacology of galanin peptides and receptors: three decades of emerging diversity

Galanin was first identified 30 years ago as a "classic neuropeptide," with actions primarily as a modulator of neurotransmission in the brain and peripheral nervous system. Other structurally-related peptides-galanin-like peptide and alarin-with diverse biologic actions in brain and other tissues have since been identified, although, unlike galanin, their cognate receptors are currently unknown. Over the last two decades, in addition to many neuronal actions, a number of nonneuronal actions of galanin and other galanin family peptides have been described. These include actions associated with neural stem cells, nonneuronal cells in the brain such as glia, endocrine functions, effects on metabolism, energy homeostasis, and paracrine effects in bone. Substantial new data also indicate an emerging role for galanin in innate immunity, inflammation, and cancer. Galanin has been shown to regulate its numerous physiologic and pathophysiological processes through interactions with three G protein-coupled receptors, GAL1, GAL2, and GAL3, and signaling via multiple transduction pathways, including inhibition of cAMP/PKA (GAL1, GAL3) and stimulation of phospholipase C (GAL2). In this review, we emphasize the importance of novel galanin receptor-specific agonists and antagonists. Also, other approaches, including new transgenic mouse lines (such as a recently characterized GAL3 knockout mouse) represent, in combination with viral-based techniques, critical tools required to better evaluate galanin system physiology. These in turn will help identify potential targets of the galanin/galanin-receptor systems in a diverse range of human diseases, including pain, mood disorders, epilepsy, neurodegenerative conditions, diabetes, and cancer.