Possible role of the histaminergic system in autonomic and cardiovascular responses to neuropeptide Y

Potential for NPY receptor-related therapies for polycystic ovary syndrome: an updated review

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex endocrine disease that can cause female infertility and bring economic burden to families and to society. The clinical and/or biochemical manifestations include hyperandrogenism, persistent anovulation, and polycystic ovarian changes, often accompanied by insulin resistance and obesity. Although its pathogenesis is unclear, PCOS involves the abnormal regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis and the abnormal activation of GnRH neurons. Neuropeptide Y (NPY) is widely distributed in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus and functions as the physiological integrator of two neuroendocrine systems, one governing feeding and the other controlling reproduction. In recent years, an increasing number of studies have focused on the improvement of the reproductive and metabolic status of PCOS through the therapeutic application of NPY and its receptors. In this review, we summarize the central and peripheral regulation of NPY and its receptors in the development of PCOS and discuss the potential for NPY receptor-related therapies for PCOS.

Anesthesia and analgesia for experimental craniotomy in mice and rats: a systematic scoping review comparing the years 2009 and 2019

Experimental craniotomies are a common surgical procedure in neuroscience. Because inadequate analgesia appears to be a problem in animal-based research, we conducted this review and collected information on management of craniotomy-associated pain in laboratory mice and rats. A comprehensive search and screening resulted in the identification of 2235 studies, published in 2009 and 2019, describing craniotomy in mice and/or rats. While key features were extracted from all studies, detailed information was extracted from a random subset of 100 studies/year. Reporting of perioperative analgesia increased from 2009 to 2019. However, the majority of studies from both years did not report pharmacologic pain management. Moreover, reporting of multimodal treatments remained at a low level, and monotherapeutic approaches were more common. Among drug groups, reporting of pre- and postoperative administration of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, opioids, and local anesthetics in 2019 exceeded that of 2009. In summary, these results suggest that inadequate analgesia and oligoanalgesia are persistent issues associated with experimental intracranial surgery. This underscores the need for intensified training of those working with laboratory rodents subjected to craniotomies.

Systematic review registration

https://osf.io/7d4qe.

NPY mediates the rapid feeding and glucose metabolism regulatory functions of AgRP neurons

Activation of Agouti-Related Peptide (AgRP)-expressing neurons promotes feeding and insulin resistance. Here, we examine the contribution of neuropeptide Y (NPY)-dependent signaling to the diverse physiological consequences of activating AgRP neurons. NPY-deficient mice fail to rapidly increase food intake during the first hour of either chemo- or optogenetic activation of AgRP neurons, while the delayed increase in feeding is comparable between control and NPY-deficient mice. Acutely stimulating AgRP neurons fails to induce systemic insulin resistance in NPY-deficient mice, while increased locomotor activity upon AgRP neuron stimulation in the absence of food remains unaffected in these animals. Selective re-expression of NPY in AgRP neurons attenuates the reduced feeding response and reverses the protection from insulin resistance upon optogenetic activation of AgRP neurons in NPY-deficient mice. Collectively, these experiments reveal a pivotal role of NPY-dependent signaling in mediating the rapid feeding inducing effect and the acute glucose regulatory function governed by AgRP neurons.

AgRP-expressing neurons regulate feeding, glucose homeostasis and locomotor activity, but the neurotransmitters that mediate these effects are unclear. Here the authors show that neuropeptide Y in these neurons regulates rapid feeding responses and insulin sensitivity, but not locomotor activity.

Nesfatin-1: a new energy-regulating peptide with pleiotropic functions. Implications at cardiovascular level

Nesfatin-1 is a new energy-regulating peptide widely expressed at both central and peripheral tissues with pleiotropic effects. In the last years, the study of nesfatin-1 actions and its possible implication in the development of different diseases has created a great interest among the scientific community. In this review, we will summarize nesfatin-1 main functions, focusing on its cardiovascular implications.