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Rasic-Markovic A, Djuric E, Skrijelj D, Bjekic-Macut J, Ignjatovic Đ, Sutulovic N, Hrncic D, Mladenovic D, Marković A, Radenković S, Radić L, Radunovic N, Stanojlovic O. Neuroactive steroids in the neuroendocrine control of food intake, metabolism, and reproduction. Endocrine 2024:10.1007/s12020-024-03755-x. [PMID: 38635064 DOI: 10.1007/s12020-024-03755-x] [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: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
Neuroactive steroids are a type of steroid hormones produced within the nervous system or in peripheral glands and then transported to the brain to exert their neuromodulatory effects. Neuroactive steroids have pleiotropic effects, that include promoting myelination, neuroplasticity, and brain development. They also regulate important physiological functions, such as metabolism, feeding, reproduction, and stress response. The homoeostatic processes of metabolism and reproduction are closely linked and mutually dependent. Reproductive events, such as pregnancy, bring about significant changes in metabolism, and metabolic status may affect reproductive function in mammals. In females, the regulation of reproduction and energy balance is controlled by the fluctuations of oestradiol and progesterone throughout the menstrual cycle. Neurosteroids play a key role in the neuroendocrine control of reproduction. The synthesis of neuroestradiol and neuroprogesterone within the brain is a crucial process that facilitates the release of GnRH and LH, which in turn, regulate the transition from oestrogen-negative to oestrogen-positive feedback. In addition to their function in the reproductive system, oestrogen has a key role in the regulation of energy homoeostasis by acting at central and peripheral levels. The oestrogenic effects on body weight homoeostasis are primarily mediated by oestrogen receptors-α (ERα), which are abundantly expressed in multiple brain regions that are implicated in the regulation of food intake, basal metabolism, thermogenesis, and brown tissue distribution. The tight interplay between energy balance and reproductive physiology is facilitated by shared regulatory pathways, namely POMC, NPY and kisspeptin neurons, which are targets of oestrogen regulation and likely participate in different aspects of the joint control of energy balance and reproductive function. The aim of this review is to present a summary of the progress made in uncovering shared regulatory pathways that facilitate the tight coupling between energy balance and reproductive physiology, as well as their reciprocal interactions and the modulation induced by neurosteroids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Rasic-Markovic
- Institute of Medical Physiology "Richard Burian", School of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia.
| | - Emilija Djuric
- Institute of Medical Physiology "Richard Burian", School of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Daniel Skrijelj
- Institute of Medical Physiology "Richard Burian", School of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Jelica Bjekic-Macut
- Department of Endocrinology, UMC Bežanijska kosa, School of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Đurđica Ignjatovic
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković" - National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Nikola Sutulovic
- Institute of Medical Physiology "Richard Burian", School of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Dragan Hrncic
- Institute of Medical Physiology "Richard Burian", School of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Dusan Mladenovic
- Institute of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Aleksandra Marković
- Department of Endocrinology, Internal Medicine Clinic, University Clinical Centre of the Republic of Srpska, Faculty of Medicine, University of Banja Luka, Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Saša Radenković
- Clinic for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases, University Clinical Center Niš, Faculty of Medicine, University of Niš, Niš, Serbia
| | - Lena Radić
- Clinic for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases, University Clinical Centre of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia
| | | | - Olivera Stanojlovic
- Institute of Medical Physiology "Richard Burian", School of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
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Haspula D, Cui Z. Neurochemical Basis of Inter-Organ Crosstalk in Health and Obesity: Focus on the Hypothalamus and the Brainstem. Cells 2023; 12:1801. [PMID: 37443835 PMCID: PMC10341274 DOI: 10.3390/cells12131801] [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: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Precise neural regulation is required for maintenance of energy homeostasis. Essential to this are the hypothalamic and brainstem nuclei which are located adjacent and supra-adjacent to the circumventricular organs. They comprise multiple distinct neuronal populations which receive inputs not only from other brain regions, but also from circulating signals such as hormones, nutrients, metabolites and postprandial signals. Hence, they are ideally placed to exert a multi-tier control over metabolism. The neuronal sub-populations present in these key metabolically relevant nuclei regulate various facets of energy balance which includes appetite/satiety control, substrate utilization by peripheral organs and glucose homeostasis. In situations of heightened energy demand or excess, they maintain energy homeostasis by restoring the balance between energy intake and expenditure. While research on the metabolic role of the central nervous system has progressed rapidly, the neural circuitry and molecular mechanisms involved in regulating distinct metabolic functions have only gained traction in the last few decades. The focus of this review is to provide an updated summary of the mechanisms by which the various neuronal subpopulations, mainly located in the hypothalamus and the brainstem, regulate key metabolic functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dhanush Haspula
- Molecular Signaling Section, Laboratory of Bioorganic Chemistry, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Zhenzhong Cui
- Mouse Metabolism Core, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA;
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Hernandez CC, Gimenez LE, Dahir NS, Peisley A, Cone RD. The unique structural characteristics of the Kir 7.1 inward rectifier potassium channel: a novel player in energy homeostasis control. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2023; 324:C694-C706. [PMID: 36717105 PMCID: PMC10026989 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00335.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
The inward rectifier potassium channel Kir7.1, encoded by the KCNJ13 gene, is a tetramer composed of two-transmembrane domain-spanning monomers, closer in homology to Kir channels associated with potassium transport such as Kir1.1, 1.2, and 1.3. Compared with other channels, Kir7.1 exhibits small unitary conductance and low dependence on external potassium. Kir7.1 channels also show a phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) dependence for opening. Accordingly, retinopathy-associated Kir7.1 mutations mapped at the binding site for PIP2 resulted in channel gating defects leading to channelopathies such as snowflake vitreoretinal degeneration and Leber congenital amaurosis in blind patients. Lately, this channel's role in energy homeostasis was reported due to the direct interaction with the melanocortin type 4 receptor (MC4R) in the hypothalamus. As this channel seems to play a multipronged role in potassium homeostasis and neuronal excitability, we will discuss what is predicted from a structural viewpoint and its possible implications for hunger control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ciria C Hernandez
- Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States
| | - Luis E Gimenez
- Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States
| | - Naima S Dahir
- Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States
| | - Alys Peisley
- Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States
| | - Roger D Cone
- Life Sciences Institute, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States
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Decourt C, Connolly GADP, Ancel C, Inglis MA, Anderson GM. Agouti-related peptide neuronal silencing overcomes delayed puberty in neonatally underfed male mice. J Neuroendocrinol 2022; 34:e13190. [PMID: 36306199 PMCID: PMC9788270 DOI: 10.1111/jne.13190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Revised: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Agouti-related peptide (AgRP) neurons are thought to indirectly regulate the activity of hypothalamic gonadotrophin-releasing hormone neurons which control fertility. AgRP neurons also drive caloric intake and are modulated by metabolically-relevant hormones, providing a link to the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. In mice expressing Cre-dependant designer receptors (DREADDs) in AgRP neurons, we activated or silenced these neurons in vivo using the synthetic ligand clozapine-N-oxide (CNO) to observe the effect of AgRP neuron activity on timing of puberty. To validate these animals, we chronically treated both stimulatory (hM3Dq) and inhibitory (hM4Di) DREADD × AgRP-Cre mice with CNO, observing a pronounced increase and decrease of food intake, respectively, consistent with the known orexigenic effects of these neurons. RNAscope was performed to visually confirm the activation of AgRP neurons. Puberty onset was assessed in males and females. There was no effect on preputial separation in males or vaginal opening and first oestrus in females after CNO treatment from day 26 to 30 to chronically modulate AgRP neurons. Next, to determine whether the delay in puberty onset occurring in response to neonatal underfeeding could be overcome by inhibiting AgRP neuronal activity, mice were raised in large (neonatally underfed) or normal litter sizes. The delay in puberty from underfeeding was completely reversed in CNO-treated AgRP-hM4Di male mice. These data highlight the inhibitory role of AgRP neurons to delay puberty onset when undernutrition occurs during the neonatal period, at least in male mice. TRAIL REGISTRATION NUMBER: JNE-22-0081-OA.R2.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - George A. D. P. Connolly
- Centre for Neuroendocrinology and Department of AnatomyUniversity of Otago School of Biomedical SciencesDunedinNew Zealand
| | - Caroline Ancel
- Centre for Neuroendocrinology and Department of AnatomyUniversity of Otago School of Biomedical SciencesDunedinNew Zealand
| | - Megan A. Inglis
- Centre for Neuroendocrinology and Department of AnatomyUniversity of Otago School of Biomedical SciencesDunedinNew Zealand
| | - Greg M. Anderson
- Centre for Neuroendocrinology and Department of AnatomyUniversity of Otago School of Biomedical SciencesDunedinNew Zealand
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The impact of caloric availability on eating behavior and ultra-processed food reward. Appetite 2022; 178:106274. [PMID: 35963586 DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2022.106274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 08/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The food environment has changed rapidly and dramatically in the last 50 years. While industrial food processing has increased the safety and stability of the food supply, a rapid expansion in the scope and scale of food processing in the 1980's has resulted in a market dominated by ultra-processed foods. Here, we use the NOVA definition of category 4 ultra-processed foods (UPFs) as they make up around 58% of total calories consumed in the US and 66% of calories in US children. UPFs are formulated from ingredients with no or infrequent culinary use, contain additives, and have a long shelf-life, spending long periods in contact with packaging materials, allowing for the absorption of compounds from those materials. The full implications of this dietary shift to UPFs on human health and disease outcomes are difficult, if not impossible, to quantify. However, UPF consumption is linked with various forms of cancer, increased cardiovascular disease, and increased all-cause mortality. Understanding food choice is, therefore, a critical problem in health research. Although many factors influence food choice, here we focus on the properties of the foods themselves. UPFs are generally treated as food, not as the highly refined, industrialized substances that they are, whose properties and components must be studied. Here, we examine one property of UPFs, that they deliver useable calories rapidly as a potential factor driving UPF overconsumption. First, we explore evidence that UPFs deliver calories more rapidly. Next, we examine the role of the gut-brain axis and its interplay with canonical reward systems, and last, we describe how speed affects both basic learning processes and drugs of abuse.
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