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Tripathi S, Maurya S, Singh A. Adropin, a novel hepatokine: localization and expression during postnatal development and its impact on testicular functions of pre-pubertal mice. Cell Tissue Res 2024; 395:171-187. [PMID: 38087073 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-023-03852-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
Adropin, a multifaceted peptide, was identified as a new metabolic hormone responsible for regulating gluco-lipid homeostasis. However, its role in the testicular function is not yet understood. We aimed to investigate the localization and expression of adropin and GPR19 during different phases of postnatal development. Immunohistochemical study revealed the intense reactivity of adropin in the Leydig cells during all phases of postnatal development, while GPR19 showed intense immunoreactivity in the pachytene spermatocytes and mild immunoreactivity in Leydig cells as well as primary and secondary spermatocytes. Western blot study revealed maximum expression of GPR19 in pre-pubertal mouse testis that clearly indicates maximum responsiveness of adropin during that period. So, we hypothesized that adropin may act as an autocrine/paracrine factor that regulates pubertal changes in mouse testis. To examine the effect of adropin on pubertal onset, we gave bilateral intra-testicular doses (0.5 and 1.5 µg/testis) to pre-pubertal mice. Adropin treatment promoted testicular testosterone synthesis by increasing the expression of StAR, 3β-HSD, and 17β-HSD. Adropin also promoted germ cell survival and proliferation by upregulating the expression of PCNA and downregulating the Bax/Bcl2 ratio and Caspase 3 expression resulting in fewer TUNEL-positive cells in adropin-treated groups. FACS analysis demonstrated that adropin treatment not only increases 1C to 4C ratio but also significantly increases the 1C (spermatid) and 1C to 2C ratio which demarcates accelerated germ cell differentiation and turnover of testicular cells. In conclusion, adropin promotes steroidogenesis, germ cell survival, as well as the proliferation in the pre-pubertal mouse testis that may hasten the pubertal transition in an autocrine/paracrine manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shashank Tripathi
- Department of Zoology, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, 221005, India
| | - Shweta Maurya
- Department of Zoology, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, 221005, India
| | - Ajit Singh
- Department of Zoology, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, 221005, India.
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Tripathi S, Maurya S, Singh A. Adropin may promote insulin stimulated steroidogenesis and spermatogenesis in adult mice testes. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY. PART A, ECOLOGICAL AND INTEGRATIVE PHYSIOLOGY 2024; 341:86-98. [PMID: 37902254 DOI: 10.1002/jez.2763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 09/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023]
Abstract
Adropin is a versatile peptide which was discovered as a novel metabolic hormone that is involved in the regulation of lipid and glucose homeostasis. However, its possible role in the testicular function is not yet understood. The aim of our study was to explore the distribution pattern of adropin and GPR19 in various cell types and its possible role in testicular functions of adult mice. Immunohistochemical study revealed the intense immunoreactivity of adropin in the Leydig cells, while GPR19 showed intense immunoreactivity in the pachytene spermatocytes and mild immunoreactivity in Leydig cells and primary as well as secondary spermatocytes in mouse testis. Enho mRNA was also found to be expressed in the mouse testis. These findings suggested that adropin-GPR19 signaling may act in autocrine/paracrine manner to modulate testicular functions. Furthermore, to find out the direct role of adropin in the testicular function, in vitro study was performed in which testicular slices were cultured with adropin alone (10 and 100 ng/mL) and in combination with insulin (5 μg/mL). Adropin alone inhibited testicular testosterone synthesis by inhibiting the expression of P450-SCC, 3β-HSD, and 17β-HSD while along with insulin stimulated the testicular testosterone synthesis by increasing the expression of GPR19, IR, StAR, P450-SCC, 3β-HSD, and 17β-HSD. Adropin alone or in combination with insulin promoted germ cell survival and proliferation by upregulating the expression of PCNA, Bcl2, and pERK1/2. Thus, it can be concluded that adropin-GPR19 signaling promotes insulin stimulated steroidogenesis and germ cell survival as well as proliferation in the mice testes in an autocrine/paracrine manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shashank Tripathi
- Department of Zoology, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India
| | - Shweta Maurya
- Department of Zoology, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India
| | - Ajit Singh
- Department of Zoology, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India
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Maurya S, Tripathi S, Singh A. Ontogeny of adropin and its receptor expression during postnatal development and its pro-gonadal role in the ovary of pre-pubertal mouse. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2023; 234:106404. [PMID: 37743028 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2023.106404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
Adropin, a highly conserved multifunctional peptide hormone, has a beneficial effect on the maintenance of gluco-lipid homeostasis, endothelial and cardiovascular functions. However, the expression and potential role of adropin in ovarian function are not fully elucidated. The present study aimed to investigate the expression of adropin and GPR19 in the mice ovary during various stages of postnatal development. This study also explored whether the treatment of adropin can modulate the timing of puberty, for which pre-pubertal mice were treated with adropin. The result showed the intense immunoreactivity of adropin in TICs, while GPR19 immunoreactivity was noted in GCs in infantile, pre-pubertal, and pubertal mice ovary. Also, adropin and GPR19 are highly expressed in the CL of the ovary of reproductively active mice. The fact that adropin expression in the ovary at different stages of postnatal development positively correlated with circulating progesterone and estradiol indicated that it has a role in the production of steroid hormones. Furthermore, the results of in vivo studies in pre-pubertal mice showed that adropin promotes early folliculogenesis by enhancing the proliferation (PCNA) of GCs of cortical ovarian follicles and promotes estradiol production by enhancing the expression of GPR19, StAR, CYP11A1 and aromatase proteins. Also, adropin treatment increases the Bax/Bcl2 ratio and expression of cleaved caspase-3 and ERα proteins, which may result in increased apoptosis of medullary follicles leading to the formation of a well-developed interstitium with interstitial glandular cells. Collectively, these findings indicate that adropin may be a factor that accelerates pubertal development in the ovary and could be utilized as a therapeutic approach for treating pubertal delay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shweta Maurya
- Department of Zoology, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, India
| | - Shashank Tripathi
- Department of Zoology, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, India
| | - Ajit Singh
- Department of Zoology, Institute of Science, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, India.
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Gannon OJ, Naik JS, Riccio D, Mansour FM, Abi-Ghanem C, Salinero AE, Kelly RD, Brooks HL, Zuloaga KL. Menopause causes metabolic and cognitive impairments in a chronic cerebral hypoperfusion model of vascular contributions to cognitive impairment and dementia. Biol Sex Differ 2023; 14:34. [PMID: 37221553 DOI: 10.1186/s13293-023-00518-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The vast majority of women with dementia are post-menopausal. Despite clinical relevance, menopause is underrepresented in rodent models of dementia. Before menopause, women are less likely than men to experience strokes, obesity, and diabetes-known risk factors for vascular contributions to cognitive impairment and dementia (VCID). During menopause, ovarian estrogen production stops and the risk of developing these dementia risk factors spikes. Here, we aimed to determine if menopause worsens cognitive impairment in VCID. We hypothesized that menopause would cause metabolic dysfunction and increase cognitive impairment in a mouse model of VCID. METHODS We performed a unilateral common carotid artery occlusion surgery to produce chronic cerebral hypoperfusion and model VCID in mice. We used 4-vinylcyclohexene diepoxide to induce accelerated ovarian failure and model menopause. We evaluated cognitive impairment using behavioral tests including novel object recognition, Barnes maze, and nest building. To assess metabolic changes, we measured weight, adiposity, and glucose tolerance. We explored multiple aspects of brain pathology including cerebral hypoperfusion and white matter changes (commonly observed in VCID) as well as changes to estrogen receptor expression (which may mediate altered sensitivity to VCID pathology post-menopause). RESULTS Menopause increased weight gain, glucose intolerance, and visceral adiposity. VCID caused deficits in spatial memory regardless of menopausal status. Post-menopausal VCID specifically led to additional deficits in episodic-like memory and activities of daily living. Menopause did not alter resting cerebral blood flow on the cortical surface (assessed by laser speckle contrast imaging). In the white matter, menopause decreased myelin basic protein gene expression in the corpus callosum but did not lead to overt white matter damage (assessed by Luxol fast blue). Menopause did not significantly alter estrogen receptor expression (ERα, ERβ, or GPER1) in the cortex or hippocampus. CONCLUSIONS Overall, we have found that the accelerated ovarian failure model of menopause caused metabolic impairment and cognitive deficits in a mouse model of VCID. Further studies are needed to identify the underlying mechanism. Importantly, the post-menopausal brain still expressed estrogen receptors at normal (pre-menopausal) levels. This is encouraging for any future studies attempting to reverse the effects of estrogen loss by activating brain estrogen receptors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia J Gannon
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Albany Medical College, 47 New Scotland Avenue, MC-136, Albany, NY, 12208, USA
| | - Janvie S Naik
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Albany Medical College, 47 New Scotland Avenue, MC-136, Albany, NY, 12208, USA
| | - David Riccio
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Albany Medical College, 47 New Scotland Avenue, MC-136, Albany, NY, 12208, USA
| | - Febronia M Mansour
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Albany Medical College, 47 New Scotland Avenue, MC-136, Albany, NY, 12208, USA
| | - Charly Abi-Ghanem
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Albany Medical College, 47 New Scotland Avenue, MC-136, Albany, NY, 12208, USA
| | - Abigail E Salinero
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Albany Medical College, 47 New Scotland Avenue, MC-136, Albany, NY, 12208, USA
| | - Richard D Kelly
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Albany Medical College, 47 New Scotland Avenue, MC-136, Albany, NY, 12208, USA
| | - Heddwen L Brooks
- Department of Physiology, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, AZ, 85724, USA
| | - Kristen L Zuloaga
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, Albany Medical College, 47 New Scotland Avenue, MC-136, Albany, NY, 12208, USA.
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Smith JA, Soares RN, McMillan NJ, Jurrissen TJ, Martinez-Lemus LA, Padilla J, Manrique-Acevedo C. Young Women Are Protected Against Vascular Insulin Resistance Induced by Adoption of an Obesogenic Lifestyle. Endocrinology 2022; 163:bqac137. [PMID: 35974454 PMCID: PMC10233280 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqac137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Vascular insulin resistance is a feature of obesity and type 2 diabetes that contributes to the genesis of vascular disease and glycemic dysregulation. Data from preclinical models indicate that vascular insulin resistance is an early event in the disease course, preceding the development of insulin resistance in metabolically active tissues. Whether this is translatable to humans requires further investigation. To this end, we examined if vascular insulin resistance develops when young healthy individuals (n = 18 men, n = 18 women) transition to an obesogenic lifestyle that would ultimately cause whole-body insulin resistance. Specifically, we hypothesized that short-term (10 days) exposure to reduced ambulatory activity (from >10 000 to <5000 steps/day) and increased consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (6 cans/day) would be sufficient to prompt vascular insulin resistance. Furthermore, given that incidence of insulin resistance and cardiovascular disease is lower in premenopausal women than in men, we postulated that young females would be protected against vascular insulin resistance. Consistent with this hypothesis, we report that after reduced ambulation and increased ingestion of carbonated beverages high in sugar, young healthy men, but not women, exhibited a blunted leg blood flow response to insulin and suppressed skeletal muscle microvascular perfusion. These findings were associated with a decrease in plasma adropin and nitrite concentrations. This is the first evidence in humans that vascular insulin resistance can be provoked by short-term adverse lifestyle changes. It is also the first documentation of a sexual dimorphism in the development of vascular insulin resistance in association with changes in adropin levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- James A Smith
- Department of Nutrition and Exercise Physiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Rogerio N Soares
- Department of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Neil J McMillan
- Department of Nutrition and Exercise Physiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Thomas J Jurrissen
- Department of Nutrition and Exercise Physiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Luis A Martinez-Lemus
- Department of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
- Dalton Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
- Department of Medical Pharmacology and Physiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Jaume Padilla
- Department of Nutrition and Exercise Physiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
- Dalton Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
- Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans’ Hospital, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Camila Manrique-Acevedo
- Dalton Cardiovascular Research Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
- Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans’ Hospital, Columbia, MO, USA
- Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65212, USA
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