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Sliwowska JH, Woods NE, Alzahrani AR, Paspali E, Tate RJ, Ferro VA. Kisspeptin a potential therapeutic target in treatment of both metabolic and reproductive dysfunction. J Diabetes 2024; 16:e13541. [PMID: 38599822 PMCID: PMC11006622 DOI: 10.1111/1753-0407.13541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Kisspeptins (KPs) are proteins that were first recognized to have antimetastatic action. Later, the critical role of this peptide in the regulation of reproduction was proved. In recent years, evidence has been accumulated supporting a role for KPs in regulating metabolic processes in a sexual dimorphic manner. It has been proposed that KPs regulate metabolism both indirectly via gonadal hormones and/or directly via the kisspeptin receptor in the brain, brown adipose tissue, and pancreas. The aim of the review is to provide both experimental and clinical evidence indicating that KPs are peptides linking metabolism and reproduction. We propose that KPs could be used as a potential target to treat both metabolic and reproductive abnormalities. Thus, we focus on the consequences of disruptions in KPs and their receptors in metabolic conditions such as diabetes, undernutrition, obesity, and reproductive disorders (hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and polycystic ovary syndrome). Data from both animal models and human subjects indicate that alterations in KPs in the case of metabolic imbalance lead also to disruptions in reproductive functions. Changes both in the hypothalamic and peripheral KP systems in animal models of the aforementioned disorders are discussed. Finally, an overview of current clinical studies involving KP in fertility and metabolism show fewer studies on metabolism (15%) and only one to date on both. Presented data indicate a dynamic and emerging field of KP studies as possible therapeutic targets in treatments of both reproductive and metabolic dysfunctions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Helena Sliwowska
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Laboratory of Neurobiology, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - Nicola Elizabeth Woods
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
| | - Abdullah Rzgallah Alzahrani
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Elpiniki Paspali
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
| | - Rothwelle Joseph Tate
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
| | - Valerie Anne Ferro
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
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Song Q, Gao Q, Chen T, Wen T, Wu P, Luo X, Chen QY. FAM3A Ameliorates Brain Impairment Induced by Hypoxia-Ischemia in Neonatal Rat. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2023; 43:251-264. [PMID: 34853925 PMCID: PMC9813043 DOI: 10.1007/s10571-021-01172-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Accepted: 11/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Hypoxia-ischemia (HI) during crucial periods of brain formation can lead to changes in brain morphology, propagation of neuronal stimuli, and permanent neurodevelopmental impairment, which can have profound effects on cognitive function later in life. FAM3A, a subgroup of family with sequence similarity 3 (FAM3) gene family, is ubiquitously expressed in almost all cells. Overexpression of FAM3A has been evidenced to reduce hyperglycemia via the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway and protect mitochondrial function in neuronal HT22 cells. This study aims to evaluate the protective role of FAM3A in HI-induced brain impairment. Experimentally, maternal rats underwent uterine artery bilateral ligation to induce neonatal HI on day 14 of gestation. At 6 weeks of age, cognitive development assessments including NSS, wire grip, and water maze were carried out. The animals were then sacrificed to assess cerebral mitochondrial function as well as levels of FAM3A, TNF-α and IFN-γ. Results suggest that HI significantly reduced FAM3A expression in rat brain tissues, and that overexpression of FAM3A through lentiviral transduction effectively improved cognitive and motor functions in HI rats as reflected by improved NSS evaluation, cerebral water content, limb strength, as well as spatial learning and memory. At the molecular level, overexpression of FAM3A was able to promote ATP production, balance mitochondrial membrane potential, and reduce levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IFN-γ. We conclude that FAM3A overexpression may have a protective effect on neuron morphology, cerebral mitochondrial as well as cognitive function. Created with Biorender.com.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Song
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, Shaanxi, China.
| | - Qingying Gao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, Shaanxi, China
- The Third Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Medical University, Xi'an, 710049, Shaanxi, China
| | - Taotao Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, Shaanxi, China
| | - Ting Wen
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, Shaanxi, China
| | - Peng Wu
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, Shaanxi, China
| | - Xiao Luo
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, China.
- Institute of Neuroscience, Translational Medicine Institute, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi'an, 710061, Shaanxi, China.
| | - Qiao Yi Chen
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, Shaanxi, China.
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Personalized Nutrition in the Management of Female Infertility: New Insights on Chronic Low-Grade Inflammation. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14091918. [PMID: 35565885 PMCID: PMC9105997 DOI: 10.3390/nu14091918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Revised: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Increasing evidence on the significance of nutrition in reproduction is emerging from both animal and human studies, suggesting a mutual association between nutrition and female fertility. Different “fertile” dietary patterns have been studied; however, in humans, conflicting results or weak correlations are often reported, probably because of the individual variations in genome, proteome, metabolome, and microbiome and the extent of exposure to different environmental conditions. In this scenario, “precision nutrition”, namely personalized dietary patterns based on deep phenotyping and on metabolomics, microbiome, and nutrigenetics of each case, might be more efficient for infertile patients than applying a generic nutritional approach. In this review, we report on new insights into the nutritional management of infertile patients, discussing the main nutrigenetic, nutrigenomic, and microbiomic aspects that should be investigated to achieve effective personalized nutritional interventions. Specifically, we will focus on the management of low-grade chronic inflammation, which is associated with several infertility-related diseases.
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Dana P, Hayati Roodbari N, Yaghmaei P, Hajebrahimi Z. Effects of empagliflozin on the expression of kisspeptin gene and reproductive system function in streptozotocin-induced diabetic male rats. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:1059942. [PMID: 36479221 PMCID: PMC9719967 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.1059942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
One of the main health concerns of diabetes is testicular dysfunction and impairment of reproductive function and sperm quality which can cause male infertility. kisspeptin is a hypothalamic neuropeptide hormone that is involved in the regulation of energy metabolism, gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH), and reproductive function. In the present study, the therapeutic effects of empagliflozin (sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors) on kisspeptin expression along with reproductive function were investigated in diabetic male Wistar rats. Diabetes was induced by a single dose injection of 60 mg/kg streptozotocin. Empagliflozin in doses of 10 and 25 mg/kg body weight was used for 8 weeks. Serum samples, testis, epididymis, and pancreas tissues were collected at the end of the experiments. Lipid profiles, oxidative stress markers, blood hormones, expression of kisspeptin along with pathological alterations of the testis were assayed using real-time PCR, biochemical, and histological technics. Data have shown that empagliflozin improved hyperglycemia, reproductive impairment, oxidative stress condition, and histopathological alterations of pancreatic and testis tissues in diabetic animals. It improved the serum levels of sex hormones, insulin, leptin, and the expression of kisspeptin in the testes tissues. Spermatogenesis is also improved in treated animals. Data indicated that the administration of empagliflozin can ameliorate symptoms of diabetes. It probably has promising antidiabetic potential and may improve the male infertility of diabetic subjects. To our knowledge, this is the first experimental evidence for the potential impact of empagliflozin on kisspeptin expression in diabetic male rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parisa Dana
- Department of Biology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nasim Hayati Roodbari
- Department of Biology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
- *Correspondence: Nasim Hayati Roodbari,
| | - Parichehreh Yaghmaei
- Department of Biology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zahra Hajebrahimi
- A&S Research Institute, Ministry of Science Research and Technology, Tehran, Iran
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Lussier AA, Bodnar TS, Moksa M, Hirst M, Kobor MS, Weinberg J. Prenatal Adversity Alters the Epigenetic Profile of the Prefrontal Cortex: Sexually Dimorphic Effects of Prenatal Alcohol Exposure and Food-Related Stress. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12111773. [PMID: 34828381 PMCID: PMC8622940 DOI: 10.3390/genes12111773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Revised: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 11/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Prenatal adversity or stress can have long-term consequences on developmental trajectories and health outcomes. Although the biological mechanisms underlying these effects are poorly understood, epigenetic modifications, such as DNA methylation, have the potential to link early-life environments to alterations in physiological systems, with long-term functional implications. We investigated the consequences of two prenatal insults, prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) and food-related stress, on DNA methylation profiles of the rat brain during early development. As these insults can have sex-specific effects on biological outcomes, we analyzed epigenome-wide DNA methylation patterns in prefrontal cortex, a key brain region involved in cognition, executive function, and behavior, of both males and females. We found sex-dependent and sex-concordant influences of these insults on epigenetic patterns. These alterations occurred in genes and pathways related to brain development and immune function, suggesting that PAE and food-related stress may reprogram neurobiological/physiological systems partly through central epigenetic changes, and may do so in a sex-dependent manner. Such epigenetic changes may reflect the sex-specific effects of prenatal insults on long-term functional and health outcomes and have important implications for understanding possible mechanisms underlying fetal alcohol spectrum disorder and other neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandre A. Lussier
- Psychiatric and Neurodevelopmental Genetics Unit, Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
- Correspondence: (A.A.L.); (J.W.)
| | - Tamara S. Bodnar
- Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada;
| | - Michelle Moksa
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada; (M.M.); (M.H.)
| | - Martin Hirst
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Michael Smith Laboratories, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z4, Canada; (M.M.); (M.H.)
- Canada’s Michael Smith Genome Sciences Centre, BC Cancer, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4S6, Canada
| | - Michael S. Kobor
- BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4H4, Canada;
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4H4, Canada
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Therapeutics, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4H4, Canada
- Program in Child and Brain Development, CIFAR, MaRS Centre, West Tower, 661 University Ave., Suite 505, Toronto, ON M5G 1M1, Canada
| | - Joanne Weinberg
- Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3, Canada;
- Correspondence: (A.A.L.); (J.W.)
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Rashad NM, Al-Sayed RM, Yousef MS, Saraya YS. Kisspeptin and body weight homeostasis in relation to phenotypic features of polycystic ovary syndrome; metabolic regulation of reproduction. Diabetes Metab Syndr 2019; 13:2086-2092. [PMID: 31235141 DOI: 10.1016/j.dsx.2019.04.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2019] [Accepted: 04/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a heterogeneous disorder characterized by a diverse collection of reproductive and metabolic abnormalities. kisspeptin (KISS) is novel peptides associated with regulation of metabolism, food intake, puberty and reproduction. The aim of the present study was to estimate KISS level in patients with PCOS, and to evaluate the possible relationship between KISS level with anthropometric measures as well as clinic-morphological features of PCOS. MATERIALS AND METHODS cross section control study enrolled 90 control group and 105 patients with PCOS and they were stratified according to their body mass index (BMI) to; underweight (n = 9, BMI ˂19), normal weight (n = 25, BMI = 19.1-25), over weight (n = 34,BMI = 25.1-30), obese grade I (n = 12, BMI = 30.1-35) , obese grade II (n = 13, BMI 35.1-40) and obese grade III (n = 12, BMI˃40).Circulating KISS levels were measured using ELISA. RESULTS Our results revealed that, KISS levels were higher in PCOS patients compared to controls. Among PCOS group, there were significant lower level of KISS levels in underweight, overweight and obese compared to normal weight group. Even more importantly, KISS levels decreased with increasing of BMI as the following, grade I, grade II and grade III. Moreover, it was negatively correlated to anthropometric measures, glycemic, lipid profile and positively correlated the phenotype characteristics of PCOS. Linear regression test observed that hirsutism score, HOMA-IR and LH were the main predictors of KISS levels in PCOS. CONCLUSION circulating KISS is an important regulator of body weight and reproduction especially in PCOS women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nearmeen M Rashad
- Internal Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt.
| | - Radwa M Al-Sayed
- Physiology Department, Faculty of Medicine-Zagazig University, Egypt
| | - Mohammed S Yousef
- Internal Medicine Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
| | - Yasser S Saraya
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
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Nalivaeva NN, Turner AJ, Zhuravin IA. Role of Prenatal Hypoxia in Brain Development, Cognitive Functions, and Neurodegeneration. Front Neurosci 2018; 12:825. [PMID: 30510498 PMCID: PMC6254649 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2018.00825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2018] [Accepted: 10/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
This review focuses on the role of prenatal hypoxia in the development of brain functions in the postnatal period and subsequent increased risk of neurodegenerative disorders in later life. Accumulating evidence suggests that prenatal hypoxia in critical periods of brain formation results in significant changes in development of cognitive functions at various stages of postnatal life which correlate with morphological changes in brain structures involved in learning and memory. Prenatal hypoxia also leads to a decrease in brain adaptive potential and plasticity due to the disturbance in the process of formation of new contacts between cells and propagation of neuronal stimuli, especially in the cortex and hippocampus. On the other hand, prenatal hypoxia has a significant impact on expression and processing of a variety of genes involved in normal brain function and their epigenetic regulation. This results in changes in the patterns of mRNA and protein expression and their post-translational modifications, including protein misfolding and clearance. Among proteins affected by prenatal hypoxia are a key enzyme of the cholinergic system-acetylcholinesterase, and the amyloid precursor protein (APP), both of which have important roles in brain function. Disruption of their expression and metabolism caused by prenatal hypoxia can also result, apart from early cognitive dysfunctions, in development of neurodegeneration in later life. Another group of enzymes affected by prenatal hypoxia are peptidases involved in catabolism of neuropeptides, including amyloid-β peptide (Aβ). The decrease in the activity of neprilysin and other amyloid-degrading enzymes observed after prenatal hypoxia could result over the years in an Aβ clearance deficit and accumulation of its toxic species which cause neuronal cell death and development of neurodegeneration. Applying various approaches to restore expression of neuronal genes disrupted by prenatal hypoxia during postnatal development opens an avenue for therapeutic compensation of cognitive dysfunctions and prevention of Aβ accumulation in the aging brain and the model of prenatal hypoxia in rodents can be used as a reliable tool for assessment of their efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia N. Nalivaeva
- I. M. Sechenov Institute of Evolutionary Physiology and Biochemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg, Russia
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Anthony J. Turner
- Faculty of Biological Sciences, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Igor A. Zhuravin
- I. M. Sechenov Institute of Evolutionary Physiology and Biochemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg, Russia
- Research Centre, Saint-Petersburg State Pediatric Medical University, St. Petersburg, Russia
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Sliwowska JH, Ziarniak K, Dudek M, Matuszewska J, Tena-Sempere M. Dangerous liaisons for pubertal maturation: the impact of alcohol consumption and obesity on the timing of puberty†. Biol Reprod 2018; 100:25-40. [DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioy168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2018] [Accepted: 07/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Joanna H Sliwowska
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Institute of Zoology, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - Kamil Ziarniak
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Institute of Zoology, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - Monika Dudek
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Institute of Zoology, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - Julia Matuszewska
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Institute of Zoology, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Poznan, Poland
| | - Manuel Tena-Sempere
- Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, University of Cordoba, and Instituto Maimonides de Investigación Biomédica de Cordoba (IMIBIC), Cordoba, Spain
- CIBEROBN - Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Cordoba, Spain
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Comasco E, Rangmar J, Eriksson UJ, Oreland L. Neurological and neuropsychological effects of low and moderate prenatal alcohol exposure. Acta Physiol (Oxf) 2018; 222. [PMID: 28470828 DOI: 10.1111/apha.12892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2017] [Revised: 02/17/2017] [Accepted: 04/27/2017] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Several explanations for the diverse results in research on foetal alcohol spectrum disorders or alcohol-related neurodevelopmental disorder might be at hand: timing, amount and patterns of alcohol exposure, as well as complex epigenetic responses. The genetic background of the offspring and its interaction with other prenatal and post-natal environmental cues are likely also of importance. In the present report, key findings about the possible effects of low and moderate doses of maternal alcohol intake on the neuropsychological development of the offspring are reviewed and plausible mechanisms discussed. Special focus is put on the serotonergic system within developmental and gene-environment frameworks. The review also suggests guidelines for future studies and also summarizes some of to-be-answered questions of relevance to clinical practice. Contradictory findings and paucity of studies on the effects of exposure to low alcohol levels during foetal life for the offspring's neuropsychological development call for large prospective studies, as well as for studies including neuroimaging and multi-omics analyses to dissect the neurobiological underpinnings of alcohol exposure-related phenotypes and to identify biomarkers. Finally, it remains to be investigated whether any safe threshold of alcohol drinking during pregnancy can be identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- E. Comasco
- Department of Neuroscience; Uppsala University; Uppsala Sweden
| | - J. Rangmar
- Department of Psychology; University of Gothenburg; Gothenburg Sweden
| | - U. J. Eriksson
- Department of Medical Cell Biology; Uppsala University; Uppsala Sweden
| | - L. Oreland
- Department of Neuroscience; Uppsala University; Uppsala Sweden
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Dudek M, Ziarniak K, Sliwowska JH. Kisspeptin and Metabolism: The Brain and Beyond. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2018; 9:145. [PMID: 29713310 PMCID: PMC5911457 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2018.00145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2017] [Accepted: 03/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Apart from the well-established role of kisspeptin (Kp) in the regulation of reproductive functions, recent data described its action in the control of metabolism. Of particular interest for the review is the population of Kp neurons localized in the arcuate nucleus (ARC) of the hypothalamus, the site of the brain where reproductive and metabolic cross talk occurs. However, within the hypothalamus Kp does not work alone, but rather interacts with other neuropeptides, e.g., neurokinin B, dynorphin A, proopiomelanocortin, the cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript, agouti-related peptide, and neuropeptide Y. Beyond the brain, Kp is expressed in peripheral tissues involved in metabolic functions. In this review, we will mainly focus on the local action of this peptide in peripheral organs such as the pancreas, liver, and the adipose tissue. We will concentrate on dysregulation of the Kp system in cases of metabolic imbalance, e.g., obesity and diabetes. Importantly, these patients besides metabolic health problems often suffer from disruptions of the reproductive system, manifested by abnormalities in menstrual cycles, premature child birth, miscarriages in women, decreased testosterone levels and spermatogenesis in men, hypogonadism, and infertility. We will review the evidence from animal models and clinical data indicating that Kp could serve as a promising agent with clinical applications in regulation of reproductive problems in individuals with obesity and diabetes. Finally, emerging data indicate a role of Kp in regulation of insulin secretion, potentially leading to development of further therapeutic uses of this peptide to treat metabolic problems in patients with these lifestyle diseases.
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Sliwowska JH, Comeau WL, Bodnar TS, Ellis L, Weinberg J. Prenatal Alcohol Exposure and Pair Feeding Differentially Impact Puberty and Reproductive Development in Female Rats: Role of the Kisspeptin System. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 2016; 40:2368-2376. [PMID: 27688161 DOI: 10.1111/acer.13233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2016] [Accepted: 09/02/2016] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Reproductive maturation is initiated with the onset of puberty, which activates the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis and coincidences with increased expression of the hormone kisspeptin within the hypothalamus. Maturational events are sensitive to environmental factors, including alcohol, which is known to delay reproductive development. We hypothesized that, similar to alcohol's adverse effects during reproductive maturation, prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) would alter pubertal markers, sex hormone profiles, and kisspeptin expression in the hypothalamus. METHODS Female offspring from control (C), pair-fed (PF), and PAE groups were sacrificed prior to puberty onset (postnatal day [PND] 30), during puberty [PND 35], or in adulthood [PND 65]. Estradiol (E2 ), progesterone (P4 ), prolactin, and luteinizing hormone levels, and Kiss1 mRNA expression were measured in the arcuate (ARC) and anteroventral periventricular (AVPV) nuclei of the hypothalamus. Pubertal markers (vaginal opening [VO], uterus/body wt ratio) were assessed. RESULTS Our findings indicate that (i) PAE inhibits the expected increases in E2 levels with age and delays maturational increases of P4 levels; (ii) PAE and pair feeding have similar adverse effects on VO and uterus/body wt ratio; (iii) differential relationships between PRL and P4 suggest that different mechanisms may underlie delayed maturation in PAE and PF; that is, PF females have low PRL levels and no increase in P4 with age, whereas PAE animals, despite low PRL, show the expected age-related increase in P4 ; and (iv) there is higher mean density of Kiss1 mRNA in the ARC of adult PAE females and altered Kiss1 expression in the AVPV of both PAE and PF females. CONCLUSIONS PAE and pair feeding have some overlapping but important differential effects on hormonal profiles and Kiss1 mRNA expression during reproductive development. Preadolescent alterations in Kiss1 expression in the AVPV and ARC, which may change the balance of function in these 2 nuclei, may differentially contribute to delayed reproductive maturation in PAE and PF compared to C females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Helena Sliwowska
- Department of Cellular & Physiological Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. .,Laboratory of Neurobiology, Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Institute of Zoology, Poznan University of Life Sciences, Poznan, Poland.
| | - Wendy L Comeau
- Department of Cellular & Physiological Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Tamara S Bodnar
- Department of Cellular & Physiological Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Linda Ellis
- Department of Cellular & Physiological Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Joanne Weinberg
- Department of Cellular & Physiological Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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