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Rehman M, Agarwal V, Chaudhary R, Kaushik AS, Srivastava S, Srivastava S, Kumar A, Singh S, Mishra V. Pharmacological inhibition of histone deacetylase alleviates chronic unpredictable stress induced atherosclerosis and endothelial dysfunction via upregulation of BDNF. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2024; 735:150485. [PMID: 39098273 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2024.150485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2024] [Revised: 07/26/2024] [Accepted: 07/30/2024] [Indexed: 08/06/2024]
Abstract
Long-term stress is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, including atherosclerosis and endothelial dysfunction. Moreover, prolonged stress has shown to negatively regulate central BDNF expression. The role of central BDNF in CNS disorders is well studied until recently the peripheral BDNF was also found to be involved in endothelial function regulation and atherosclerosis. The peripheral BDNF and its role in chronic stress-induced atherosclerosis and endothelial dysfunction remain unclear. Therefore, we aimed to elucidate the role of BDNF and its modulation by the HDAC inhibitor valproic acid (VA) in chronic unpredictable stress (CUS)-induced atherosclerosis and endothelial dysfunction. We demonstrated that a 10-week CUS mouse model substantially decreases central and peripheral BDNF expression, resulting in enhanced serum lipid indices, plaque deposition, fibrosis, and CD68 expression in thoracic aortas. Further, parameters associated with endothelial dysfunction such as increased levels of endothelin-1 (ET-1), adhesion molecules like VCAM-1, M1 macrophage markers, and decreased M2 macrophage markers, eNOS expression, and nitrite levels in aortas, were also observed. VA (50 mg/kg, 14 days, i. p.) was administered to mice following 8 weeks of CUS exposure until the end of the experimental procedure. VA significantly prevented the decrease in BDNF, eNOS and nitrite levels, reduced lesion formation and fibrosis in thoracic aortas and increased ET-1, and VCAM-1 followed by M2 polarization in VA-treated mice. The study highlights the potential of epigenetic modulation of BDNF as a therapeutic target, in stress-induced cardiovascular pathologies and suggests that VA could be a promising agent for mitigating CUS-induced endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis by BDNF modulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mujeeba Rehman
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Vidya Vihar, Raebareli Road, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, 226025, India
| | - Vipul Agarwal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Vidya Vihar, Raebareli Road, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, 226025, India
| | - Rishabh Chaudhary
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Vidya Vihar, Raebareli Road, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, 226025, India
| | - Arjun Singh Kaushik
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Vidya Vihar, Raebareli Road, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, 226025, India
| | - Siddhi Srivastava
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Vidya Vihar, Raebareli Road, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, 226025, India
| | - Sukriti Srivastava
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Vidya Vihar, Raebareli Road, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, 226025, India
| | - Anand Kumar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Vidya Vihar, Raebareli Road, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, 226025, India
| | - Sanjay Singh
- Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Vidya Vihar, Raebareli Road, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, 226025, India.
| | - Vikas Mishra
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Vidya Vihar, Raebareli Road, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, 226025, India.
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Chaudhary R, Azam MA, Dowand B, Singh A, Rehman M, Agarwal V, Kumar A, Kaushik AS, Srivastava S, Srivastava S, Mishra V. Chronic stress-mediated dysregulations in inflammatory, immune and oxidative circuitry impairs the therapeutic response of methotrexate in experimental autoimmune disease models. NAUNYN-SCHMIEDEBERG'S ARCHIVES OF PHARMACOLOGY 2024:10.1007/s00210-024-03529-2. [PMID: 39453502 DOI: 10.1007/s00210-024-03529-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2024] [Accepted: 10/07/2024] [Indexed: 10/26/2024]
Abstract
Chronic stress is significantly implicated in the worsening of autoimmune disorders, contributing to elevated inflammation and diminished therapeutic efficacy. Here, in this study, we investigated the detrimental impact of an 8-week chronic unpredictable stress (CUS) protocol on the progression of arthritis and psoriasis using collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) and imiquimod (IMQ)-induced psoriasis rat models, respectively. Our objective was to elucidate how prolonged stress exacerbates disease severity and impairs the effectiveness of treatment drug. Following the induction of CIA and IMQ, rats were subjected to an 8-week CUS paradigm designed to simulate chronic stress conditions. Moreover, after 5 weeks of CUS, methotrexate (MTX; 2 mg/kg, administered once weekly for 3 weeks, intraperitoneally) was introduced as a therapeutic intervention. The severity of CUS-induced effects and the therapeutic impairment of MTX in arthritis and psoriasis rats were assessed through pathological examination of joint and epidermal tissues, respectively. Additionally, we measured various pro-inflammatory cytokine levels, including NF-κB (nuclear factor kappa B), IFN-γ (interferon-gamma), TNF-α (tumour necrosis factor alpha), IL (interleukin)-1β, IL-6, IL-17 and IL-23 using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), analysed immune cells through complete haematological profiling and evaluated oxidative stress markers. Our findings revealed that CUS significantly aggravated the pathological features of both arthritis and psoriasis. Prolonged stress exposure led to heightened inflammatory responses, increased oxidative stress and more severe tissue damage. Moreover, the therapeutic efficacy of MTX was notably reduced in stressed rats compared to non-stressed, underscoring the detrimental effects of chronic stress on treatment outcomes. Taken together, our results emphasize the importance of considering chronic stress as a critical factor in the management of autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rishabh Chaudhary
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Vidya Vihar, Raebareli Road, Lucknow, 226025, U.P., India
| | - Mohd Akhtar Azam
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Vidya Vihar, Raebareli Road, Lucknow, 226025, U.P., India
| | - Bhavana Dowand
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Vidya Vihar, Raebareli Road, Lucknow, 226025, U.P., India
| | - Alpana Singh
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Vidya Vihar, Raebareli Road, Lucknow, 226025, U.P., India
| | - Mujeeba Rehman
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Vidya Vihar, Raebareli Road, Lucknow, 226025, U.P., India
| | - Vipul Agarwal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Vidya Vihar, Raebareli Road, Lucknow, 226025, U.P., India
| | - Anand Kumar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Vidya Vihar, Raebareli Road, Lucknow, 226025, U.P., India
| | - Arjun Singh Kaushik
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Vidya Vihar, Raebareli Road, Lucknow, 226025, U.P., India
| | - Sukriti Srivastava
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Vidya Vihar, Raebareli Road, Lucknow, 226025, U.P., India
| | - Siddhi Srivastava
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Vidya Vihar, Raebareli Road, Lucknow, 226025, U.P., India
| | - Vikas Mishra
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Vidya Vihar, Raebareli Road, Lucknow, 226025, U.P., India.
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3
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High MW, Quadir SG, Arleth GM, Echeveste Sanchez M, Effinger DP, Herman MA. Sex-Specific changes in stress circuitry of the nucleus tractus solitarius following food deprivation in two rat strains. Neurosci Lett 2024; 839:137931. [PMID: 39128819 PMCID: PMC11411499 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2024.137931] [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: 06/10/2024] [Revised: 08/06/2024] [Accepted: 08/08/2024] [Indexed: 08/13/2024]
Abstract
Food deprivation is used in many experimental models and is becoming increasingly prevalent in human diets. The impact of food deprivation on specific brain regions, including the nucleus of the tractus solitarius (NTS), a region that is involved in hunger and satiety sensing, remains to be determined. The NTS is a heterogeneous nucleus that includes corticotropin releasing factor receptor 1 (CRF1) neurons. CRF1 is implicated in both stress and appetite regulation, but the effects of food deprivation on CRF1 NTS neurons are unclear. We used immunofluorescence to examine the effects of 24-hour food deprivation on NTS activity in male and female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats and CRF1-cre rats using cFos, an immediate early gene and neuronal marker of activation. NTS activity was increased in food deprived male but not female SD rats. In food deprived CRF1-cre rats, males had an increased proportion of active CRF1 + neurons with no change in females. In CRF1-cre rats, increased global NTS activity was observed in food deprived and refed males. Activation of CRF1 + neurons was also increased after deprivation but was reduced by refeeding. In females, food deprivation decreased global NTS activity that was then increased by refeeding, while CRF1 activity was unchanged. Collectively, these data suggest the NTS is differentially activated after food deprivation in a sex-specific manner, whereby males are more sensitive than females. These results provide insight into the role of brainstem stress circuitry in changes associated with conditions including intermittent fasting and eating disorders like anorexia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaret W High
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States; Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States
| | - Sema G Quadir
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States; Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States
| | - Gillian M Arleth
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States
| | - Maria Echeveste Sanchez
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States
| | - Devin P Effinger
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States; Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States
| | - Melissa A Herman
- Bowles Center for Alcohol Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States; Department of Pharmacology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, United States.
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Krolick KN, Cao J, Gulla EM, Bhardwaj M, Marshall SJ, Zhou EY, Kiss AJ, Choueiry F, Zhu J, Shi H. Subregion-specific transcriptomic profiling of rat brain reveals sex-distinct gene expression impacted by adolescent stress. Neuroscience 2024; 553:19-39. [PMID: 38977070 PMCID: PMC11444371 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2024.07.002] [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: 01/18/2024] [Revised: 05/14/2024] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 07/10/2024]
Abstract
Stress during adolescence clearly impacts brain development and function. Sex differences in adolescent stress-induced or exacerbated emotional and metabolic vulnerabilities could be due to sex-distinct gene expression in hypothalamic, limbic, and prefrontal brain regions. However, adolescent stress-induced whole-genome expression changes in key subregions of these brain regions were unclear. In this study, female and male adolescent Sprague Dawley rats received one-hour restraint stress daily from postnatal day (PD) 32 to PD44. Corticosterone levels, body weights, food intake, body composition, and circulating adiposity and sex hormones were measured. On PD44, brain and blood samples were collected. Using RNA-sequencing, sex-specific differences in stress-induced differentially expressed (DE) genes were identified in subregions of the hypothalamus, limbic system, and prefrontal cortex. Canonical pathways reflected well-known sex-distinct maladies and diseases, substantiating the therapeutic potential of the DE genes found in the current study. Thus, we proposed specific sex distinct, adolescent stress-induced transcriptional changes found in the current study as examples of the molecular bases for sex differences witnessed in stress induced or exacerbated emotional and metabolic disorders. Future behavioral studies and single-cell studies are warranted to test the implications of the DE genes identified in this study in sex-distinct stress-induced susceptibilities.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jingyi Cao
- Department of Biology, Miami University, Oxford, OH 45056, USA.
| | - Evelyn M Gulla
- Department of Biology, Miami University, Oxford, OH 45056, USA.
| | - Meeta Bhardwaj
- Department of Biology, Miami University, Oxford, OH 45056, USA.
| | | | - Ethan Y Zhou
- Department of Biology, Miami University, Oxford, OH 45056, USA.
| | - Andor J Kiss
- Center for Bioinformatics & Functional Genomics, Miami University, Oxford, OH 45056, USA.
| | - Fouad Choueiry
- Department of Human Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
| | - Jiangjiang Zhu
- Department of Human Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA; James Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
| | - Haifei Shi
- Department of Biology, Miami University, Oxford, OH 45056, USA.
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Stapf CA, Keefer SE, McInerney JM, Cheer JF, Calu DJ. Dorsomedial Striatum CB1R signaling is required for Pavlovian outcome devaluation in male Long Evans rats and reduces inhibitory synaptic transmission in both sexes. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.05.01.592059. [PMID: 38746352 PMCID: PMC11092566 DOI: 10.1101/2024.05.01.592059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Cannabinoid-1 receptor (CB1R) signaling in the dorsal striatum regulates the shift from flexible to habitual behavior in instrumental outcome devaluation. Based on prior work establishing individual, sex, and experience-dependent differences in Pavlovian behaviors, we predicted a role for dorsomedial striatum CB1R signaling in driving rigid responding in Pavlovian autoshaping and outcome devaluation. We trained male and female Long Evans rats in Pavlovian Lever Autoshaping (PLA). We gave intra-dorsomedial striatum (DMS) infusions of the CB1R inverse agonist, rimonabant, before satiety-induced outcome devaluation test sessions, where we sated rats on training pellets or home cage chow and tested them in brief nonreinforced Pavlovian Lever Autoshaping sessions. Overall, inhibition of DMS CB1R signaling prevented Pavlovian outcome devaluation but did not affect behavior in reinforced PLA sessions. Males were sensitive to devaluation while females were not and DMS CB1R inhibition impaired devaluation sensitivity in males. We then investigated how DMS CB1R signaling impacts local inhibitory synaptic transmission in male and female Long Evans rats. We recorded spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents (sIPSC) from DMS neurons at baseline and before and after application of a CB1R agonist, WIN 55,212-2. We found that male rats showed decreased sIPSC frequency compared to females, and that CB1R activation reduced DMS inhibitory transmission independent of sex. Altogether our results demonstrate that DMS CB1Rs regulate Pavlovian devaluation sensitivity and inhibitory synaptic transmission and suggest that basal sex differences in inhibitory synaptic transmission may underly sex differences in DMS function and behavioral flexibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine A Stapf
- Program in Neuroscience, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, MD, 21201
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201
| | - Sara E Keefer
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201
| | - Jessica M McInerney
- Program in Neuroscience, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, MD, 21201
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201
| | - Joseph F Cheer
- Program in Neuroscience, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, MD, 21201
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201
| | - Donna J Calu
- Program in Neuroscience, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, MD, 21201
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201
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Beltran-Ornelas JH, Silva-Velasco DL, Tapia-Martínez JA, Sánchez-López A, Cano-Europa E, Huerta de la Cruz S, Centurión D. Sodium Hydrosulfide Reverts Chronic Stress-Induced Cardiovascular Alterations by Reducing Oxidative Stress. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol 2024; 83:317-329. [PMID: 38207007 DOI: 10.1097/fjc.0000000000001538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Chronic stress induces a group of unrecognized cardiovascular impairments, including elevated hemodynamic variables and vascular dysfunction. Moreover, hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S), a gasotransmitter that regulates the cardiovascular system decreases under chronic stress. Thus, this study assessed the impact of sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS) (H 2 S donor) on chronic restraint stress (CRS)-induced cardiovascular changes. For that purpose, male Wistar rats were restrained for 2 hours a day in a transparent acrylic tube over 8 weeks. Then, body weight, relative adrenal gland weight, serum corticosterone, H 2 S-synthesizing enzymes, endothelial nitric oxide synthetize expression, reactive oxygen species levels, lipid peroxidation, and reduced glutathione-to-oxidized glutathione (GSH 2 :GSSG) ratio were determined in the thoracic aorta. The hemodynamic variables were measured in vivo by the plethysmograph method. The vascular function was evaluated in vitro as vasorelaxant responses induced by carbachol or sodium nitroprusside, and norepinephrine (NE)-mediated vasocontractile responses in the thoracic aorta. CRS increased (1) relative adrenal gland weight; (2) hemodynamic variables; (3) vasoconstrictor responses induced by NE, (4) reactive oxygen species levels, and (5) lipid peroxidation in the thoracic aorta. In addition, CRS decreased (1) body weight; (2) vasorelaxant responses induced by carbachol; (3) GSH content, and (4) GSH 2 :GSSG ratio. Notably, NaHS administration (5.6 mg/kg) restored hemodynamic variables and lipid peroxidation and attenuated the vasoconstrictor responses induced by NE in the thoracic aorta. In addition, NaHS treatment increased relative adrenal gland weight and the GSH 2 :GSSG ratio. Taken together, our results demonstrate that NaHS alleviates CRS-induced hypertension by reducing oxidative stress and restoring vascular function in the thoracic aorta.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Edgar Cano-Europa
- Laboratorio de Metabolismo I, Departamento de Fisiología, Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México, México
| | | | - David Centurión
- Departamento de Farmacobiología, Cinvestav-Coapa, Ciudad de México, México ; and
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Chaudhary R, Prasad A, Agarwal V, Rehman M, Kumar A, Kaushik AS, Srivastava S, Srivastava S, Mishra V. Chronic stress predisposes to the aggravation of inflammation in autoimmune diseases with focus on rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis. Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 125:111046. [PMID: 37879231 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.111046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023]
Abstract
The global incidence of autoimmune diseases is on the rise, and many healthcare professionals believe that chronic stress plays a prominent role in both the aggravation and remission of these conditions. It is believed that prolonged exposure to stress is associated with neuroimmune axis malfunction, which eventually dysregulates multiple immunological factors as well as deregulates autoimmune responses that play a central role in various autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis. Herein, we performed validation of an 8-week long rat model of chronic unpredictable stress (CUS) which consisted of exposing groups of rats to random stressors daily for 8 weeks. Additionally, we developed a novel rat model combining 8-week long random stressor-induced CUS with CIA-triggered arthritis and IMQ-triggered psoriasis and have successfully used both these models to assess the role of chronic stress in the aggravation of arthritis and psoriasis, respectively. Notably, the 8-week CUS protocol extensively aggravated and prolonged both arthritis and psoriasis condition in the rat model by upregulating the release of different pro-inflammatory cytokines, dysregulation of immune cell responses and oxidative stress system, which were all related to severe inflammation. Further, CUS aggravated macroscopic features and the increase in destruction of joint tissue and epidermal thickness induced by CIA and IMQ, respectively, in rats. In conclusion, this study suggests that exposure to an 8-week long CUS paradigm aggravates the distinctive characteristics of rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis in rats via amplifying the inflammatory circuits and immune cell responses linked to these autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rishabh Chaudhary
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Vidya Vihar, Raebareli Road, Lucknow 226025, U.P., India
| | - Ajay Prasad
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Vidya Vihar, Raebareli Road, Lucknow 226025, U.P., India
| | - Vipul Agarwal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Vidya Vihar, Raebareli Road, Lucknow 226025, U.P., India
| | - Mujeeba Rehman
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Vidya Vihar, Raebareli Road, Lucknow 226025, U.P., India
| | - Anand Kumar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Vidya Vihar, Raebareli Road, Lucknow 226025, U.P., India
| | - Arjun Singh Kaushik
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Vidya Vihar, Raebareli Road, Lucknow 226025, U.P., India
| | - Siddhi Srivastava
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Vidya Vihar, Raebareli Road, Lucknow 226025, U.P., India
| | - Sukriti Srivastava
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Vidya Vihar, Raebareli Road, Lucknow 226025, U.P., India
| | - Vikas Mishra
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Vidya Vihar, Raebareli Road, Lucknow 226025, U.P., India.
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Lai CW, Chang CH. Pharmacological activation of the amygdala, but not single prolonged footshock-induced acute stress, interferes with cue-induced motivation toward food rewards in rats. Front Behav Neurosci 2023; 17:1252868. [PMID: 37781505 PMCID: PMC10538645 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2023.1252868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023] Open
Abstract
In the face of threats, animals adapt their behaviors to cope with the situation. Under such circumstances, irrelevant behaviors are usually suppressed. In this study, we examined whether food-seeking motivation would decrease under activation of the amygdala, an important nucleus in the regulation of stress response in the central nervous system, or after a physical acute stress session. In Experiment 1, we pharmacologically activated the basolateral nucleus (BLA) or the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) before a cue-induced reinstatement test in rats. Our results showed that activation of the BLA or the CeA abolished cue-induced motivation toward food rewards, while locomotor activity and free food intake were not affected. In Experiments 2 and 3, we further assessed anxiety and despair levels, as well as cue-induced reinstatement, after a single prolonged footshock-induced acute stress in rats. Behaviorally, acute stress did not affect anxiety level, despair level, or cue-induced motivation toward food rewards. Physiologically, there was no difference in cellular activities of the amygdala immediately after acute stress. To conclude, our results suggested that pharmacological activation of the amygdala decreased cue-induced motivation toward food reward. However, physiological acute stress did not immediately interfere with the negative emotions, motivation, or amygdala activities of the animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chien-Wen Lai
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Chun-hui Chang
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
- Institute of Systems Neuroscience, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
- Brain Research Center, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
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Rehman M, Chaudhary R, Rajput S, Agarwal V, Kaushik AS, Srivastava S, Srivastava S, Singh R, Aziz I, Singh S, Mishra V. Butein Ameliorates Chronic Stress Induced Atherosclerosis via Targeting Anti-inflammatory, Anti-fibrotic and BDNF Pathways. Physiol Behav 2023; 267:114207. [PMID: 37100219 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2023.114207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/23/2023] [Indexed: 04/28/2023]
Abstract
Chronic stress is a major risk factor for various diseases, including cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Chronic stress enhances the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines like IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α, making individuals susceptible to atherosclerosis which is dominant cause for CVDs. In present study, we validated a mouse model of chronic unpredictable stress (CUS), and assessed the characteristic features of atherosclerosis in thoracic aortas of CUS mice. The CUS procedure consisted of exposing groups of mice to random stressors daily for 10-weeks. The stress response was verified by presence of depressive-like behaviors and increased serum corticosterone in mice which was determined by battery of behavioural tests (SPT, EPMT, NSFT) and ELISA, respectively. Atherosclerosis parameters in CUS mice were evaluated by lipid indices estimation followed by histological assessment of plaque deposition and fibrosis in thoracic aorta. Further, we assessed the efficacy of a polyphenol, i.e. Butein in conferring protection against chronic stress-induced atherosclerosis and the possible mechanism of action. Butein (20mg/kg x 28 days, alternatively, i.p.) was administered to CUS mice after 6-weeks of CUS exposure till the end of the protocol. Butein treatment decreased peripheral IL-1β and enhanced peripheral as well as central BDNF levels. Histological assessment revealed decreased macrophage expression and reduced fibrosis in thoracic aorta of Butein treated mice. Further, treatment with Butein lowered lipid indices in CUS mice. Our findings thus, suggest that 10-weeks of CUS induce characteristic features of atherosclerosis in mice and Butein can offer protection in CUS-induced atherosclerosis through multiple mechanisms including anti-inflammatory, antifibrotic and anti-adipogenic actions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mujeeba Rehman
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Vidya Vihar, Raebareli Road, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 226025(.) India
| | - Rishabh Chaudhary
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Vidya Vihar, Raebareli Road, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 226025(.) India
| | - Sonu Rajput
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Vidya Vihar, Raebareli Road, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 226025(.) India
| | - Vipul Agarwal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Vidya Vihar, Raebareli Road, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 226025(.) India
| | - Arjun Singh Kaushik
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Vidya Vihar, Raebareli Road, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 226025(.) India
| | - Siddhi Srivastava
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Vidya Vihar, Raebareli Road, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 226025(.) India
| | - Sukriti Srivastava
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Vidya Vihar, Raebareli Road, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 226025(.) India
| | - Rohit Singh
- Centre for Animal Disease Research and Diagnosis, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izzatnagar, Bareilly 243122, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Irfan Aziz
- Integral University, Kursi road, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 226026, India
| | - Sanjay Singh
- Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Vidya Vihar, Raebareli Road, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 226025, India.
| | - Vikas Mishra
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Vidya Vihar, Raebareli Road, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 226025(.) India.
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10
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Eskandari F, Salimi M, Binayi F, Abdollahifar MA, Eftekhary M, Hedayati M, Ghanbarian H, Zardooz H. Investigating the Effects of Maternal Separation on Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis and Glucose Homeostasis under Chronic Social Defeat Stress in Young Adult Male Rat Offspring. Neuroendocrinology 2022; 113:361-380. [PMID: 36088912 DOI: 10.1159/000526989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Given the suggested metabolic regulatory effects of stress-responsive genes and based on the impacts of early-life stress on HPA axis development, this study aimed to characterize the maternal separation (MS) impact on the communication between glucose metabolism and HPA axis dysregulations under chronic social defeat stress (CSDS). METHODS During the first 2 weeks of life, male Wistar rats were either exposed to MS or left undisturbed with their mothers (Std). Starting on postnatal day 50, the animals of each group were either left undisturbed in the standard group housing (Con) or underwent CSDS for 3 weeks. There were four groups (n = 10/group): Std-Con, MS-Con, Std-CSDS, and MS-CSDS. RESULTS Early and/or adult life adversity reduced β-cell number, muscular FK506-binding protein 51 (FKBP51) content, and BMI in adulthood. The reduction of β-cell number and BMI in the MS-CSDS rats were more profound than MS-Con group. CSDS either alone or in combination with MS reduced locomotor activity and increased and decreased corticotropin-releasing factor type 1 receptor (CRFR1) content, respectively, in hypothalamus and pancreas. Although, under CSDS, MS intensified HPA axis overactivity and reduced isolated islets' insulin secretion, it could promote resilience to depression symptoms. No differences were observed in hypothalamic Fkbp5 gene DNA methylation and glucose tolerance among groups. CONCLUSION MS exacerbated HPA axis overactivity and the endocrine pancreas dysfunctions under CSDS. The intensified corticosterone secretion and the diminished content of pancreatic CRFR1 protein could be involved in the reduced β-cell number and islets' insulin secretion under CSDS. The decreased muscular FKBP51 content might be a homeostatic response to slow down insulin resistance development under chronic stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farzaneh Eskandari
- Neurophysiology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mina Salimi
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fateme Binayi
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad-Amin Abdollahifar
- Department of Biology and Anatomical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohamad Eftekhary
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehdi Hedayati
- Cellular and Molecular Endocrine Research Center, Research Institute for Endocrine Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hossein Ghanbarian
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Homeira Zardooz
- Neurophysiology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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11
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Agarwal V, Kaushik AS, Rehman M, Chaudhary R, Jawaid T, Kamal M, Mishra V. Interleukin-6 expression and its modulation by diacerein in a rat model of chronic stress induced cardiac dysfunction. Heliyon 2021; 7:e08522. [PMID: 34917808 PMCID: PMC8665349 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2021.e08522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Revised: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
People with chronic stress have higher levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which enhance their susceptibility to cardiovascular diseases. Diacerein has ability to modulate pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β and IL-6; however, its efficacy in chronic stress associated cardiovascular diseases is not yet assessed. In this study, we standardized a rat model of chronic unpredictable stress (CUS) demonstrating cardiovascular dysfunctions and further assessed the effect of IL-6 modulator, diacerein, on cardiovascular functions in CUS exposed rats. The CUS procedure consisted of exposing male albino Wistar rats to random stressors, everyday for 8 weeks. The binding affinity of diacerein with IL-6 was ascertained using Docking tools viz AutoDock and SwissDock. Moreover, diacerein was administered (50 mg/kg/day x 20 days P.O) post CUS exposure to rats and the serum IL-6 levels and heart functions of CUS rats were determined by ELISA and ECG-HRV analysis, respectively. 8 weeks of CUS exposure resulted in two-fold increase in serum corticosterone and IL-6 levels in rats. The ECG and HRV analysis of CUS rats showed altered sinus rhythm, elevated heart rate, systolic blood pressure and sympathetic tone. Molecular docking studies revealed diacerein high binding affinity towards IL-6 receptor. The post-treatment of diacerein in CUS rats prevented these cardiovascular dysfunctions. Our findings thus suggests that IL-6 may have a prominent role in chronic stress induced cardiovascular dysfunctions and diacerein, could be used as a preventive measure for such conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vipul Agarwal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Vidya Vihar, Raebareli Road, Lucknow, 226025, UP, India
| | - Arjun Singh Kaushik
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Vidya Vihar, Raebareli Road, Lucknow, 226025, UP, India
| | - Mujeeba Rehman
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Vidya Vihar, Raebareli Road, Lucknow, 226025, UP, India
| | - Rishabh Chaudhary
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Vidya Vihar, Raebareli Road, Lucknow, 226025, UP, India
| | - Talha Jawaid
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU), Riyadh 13317, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mehnaz Kamal
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box- 173, Al-Kharj 11942, Saudi Arabia
| | - Vikas Mishra
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University, Vidya Vihar, Raebareli Road, Lucknow, 226025, UP, India
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12
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A review of sex differences in the mechanisms and drivers of overeating. Front Neuroendocrinol 2021; 63:100941. [PMID: 34454955 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2021.100941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Revised: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Disordered eating is often associated with marked psychological and emotional distress, and severe adverse impact on quality of life. Several factors can influence eating behavior and drive food consumption in excess of energy requirements for homeostasis. It is well established that stress and negative affect contribute to the aetiology of eating disorders and weight gain, and there is substantial evidence suggesting sex differences in sub-clinical and clinical types of overeating. This review will examine how negative affect and stress shape eating behaviors, and how the relationship between the physiological, endocrine, and neural responses to stress and eating behaviors differs between men and women. We will examine several drivers of overeating and explore possible mechanisms underlying sex differences in eating behavior.
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13
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Wong WLE, Dawe GS, Young AH. The putative role of the relaxin-3/RXFP3 system in clinical depression and anxiety: A systematic literature review. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 131:429-450. [PMID: 34537263 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.09.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Revised: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The relaxin-3/RXFP3 system is one of several neuropeptidergic systems putatively implicated in regulating the behavioural alterations that characterise clinical depression and anxiety, making it a potential target for clinical translation. Accordingly, this systematic review identified published reports on the role of relaxin-3/RXFP3 signalling in these neuropsychiatric disorders and their behavioural endophenotypes, evaluating evidence from animal and human studies to ascertain any relationship. We searched PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO and Google Scholar databases up to February 2021, finding 609 relevant records. After stringent screening, 51 of these studies were included in the final synthesis. There was considerable heterogeneity in study designs and some inconsistency across study outcomes. However, experimental evidence is consistent with an ability of relaxin-3/RXFP3 signalling to promote arousal and suppress depressive- and anxiety-like behaviour. Moreover, meta-analyses of six to eight articles investigating food intake revealed that acute RXFP3 activation had strong orexigenic effects in rats. This appraisal also identified the lack of high-quality clinical studies pertinent to the relaxin-3/RXFP3 system, a gap that future research should attempt to bridge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Win Lee Edwin Wong
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore; Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom.
| | - Gavin Stewart Dawe
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore; Neurobiology and Ageing Programme, Life Sciences Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Allan H Young
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom; South London & Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, Bethlem Royal Hospital, Monks Orchard Road, London, United Kingdom
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14
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Errante EL, Chakkalamuri M, Akinbo OI, Yohn SE, Salamone JD, Matuszewich L. Sex differences in effort-related decision-making: role of dopamine D2 receptor antagonism. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2021; 238:1609-1619. [PMID: 33590311 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-021-05795-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2020] [Accepted: 02/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Depressed individuals demonstrate debilitating symptoms, including depressed mood, anhedonia, and effort-related deficits. Effort-related decision-making can be measured through providing subjects with a choice between high effort/reward and low effort/reward options, which is a dopamine (DA)-dependent behavior. While previous research has shown sex differences in depression rates, this has not been examined within operant-based effort-related decision-making tasks nor has DA been shown to underlie this behavior in female rats. OBJECTIVES The current study investigated sex differences in an effort-related decision-making task prior to and following administration of the DA D2 receptor antagonist haloperidol (HAL). METHODS Adult rats were food restricted or fed freely and trained in an effort-related progressive ratio choice task. After stable responding, HAL was administered acutely (0.05-0.2 mg/kg) prior to testing. RESULTS Results indicate a significant effect of sex on training variables, with males having a greater number of lever presses, higher ratios, and longer active lever times. Pretreatment with HAL significantly reduced the same measures in both sexes for the high-valued reward, while increasing chow consumption in the food restricted males. Food restricted rats showed a greater number of total lever presses and achieved higher ratios; however, the effect in male food restricted rats was greatest. CONCLUSIONS These data suggest that, although there are sex differences in training, HAL decreases behavior across sexes, demonstrating that the D2 mechanism is similar in both sexes. These findings provide a better understanding of motivational dysfunction in both sexes and potential treatment targets for depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily L Errante
- Division of Neuroscience and Behavior, Department of Psychology, Northern Illinois University, Dekalb, IL, 60115, USA
| | - Marilyn Chakkalamuri
- Division of Neuroscience and Behavior, Department of Psychology, Northern Illinois University, Dekalb, IL, 60115, USA.,Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine, Midwestern University, Downers Grove, IL, USA
| | - Oreoluwa I Akinbo
- Division of Neuroscience and Behavior, Department of Psychology, Northern Illinois University, Dekalb, IL, 60115, USA
| | - Samantha E Yohn
- Department of Psychology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - John D Salamone
- Department of Psychology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - Leslie Matuszewich
- Division of Neuroscience and Behavior, Department of Psychology, Northern Illinois University, Dekalb, IL, 60115, USA.
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15
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Gil-Miravet I, Mañas-Ojeda A, Ros-Bernal F, Castillo-Gómez E, Albert-Gascó H, Gundlach AL, Olucha-Bordonau FE. Involvement of the Nucleus Incertus and Relaxin-3/RXFP3 Signaling System in Explicit and Implicit Memory. Front Neuroanat 2021; 15:637922. [PMID: 33867946 PMCID: PMC8044989 DOI: 10.3389/fnana.2021.637922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2020] [Accepted: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Telencephalic cognitive and emotional circuits/functions are strongly modulated by subcortical inputs. The main focus of past research on the nature of this modulation has been on the widespread monoamine projections to the telencephalon. However, the nucleus incertus (NI) of the pontine tegmentum provides a strong GABAergic and peptidergic innervation of the hippocampus, basal forebrain, amygdala, prefrontal cortex, and related regions; and represents a parallel source of ascending modulation of cognitive and emotional domains. NI GABAergic neurons express multiple peptides, including neuromedin-B, cholecystokinin, and relaxin-3, and receptors for stress and arousal transmitters, including corticotrophin-releasing factor and orexins/hypocretins. A functional relationship exists between NI neurons and their associated peptides, relaxin-3 and neuromedin-B, and hippocampal theta rhythm, which in turn, has a key role in the acquisition and extinction of declarative and emotional memories. Furthermore, RXFP3, the cognate receptor for relaxin-3, is a Gi/o protein-coupled receptor, and its activation inhibits the cellular accumulation of cAMP and induces phosphorylation of ERK, processes associated with memory formation in the hippocampus and amygdala. Therefore, this review summarizes the role of NI transmitter systems in relaying stress- and arousal-related signals to the higher neural circuits and processes associated with memory formation and retrieval.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isis Gil-Miravet
- Unitat Predepartamental de Medicina, Facultat de Ciències de la Salut, Universitat Jaume I, Castelló de la Plana, Spain
| | - Aroa Mañas-Ojeda
- Unitat Predepartamental de Medicina, Facultat de Ciències de la Salut, Universitat Jaume I, Castelló de la Plana, Spain
| | - Francisco Ros-Bernal
- Unitat Predepartamental de Medicina, Facultat de Ciències de la Salut, Universitat Jaume I, Castelló de la Plana, Spain
| | - Esther Castillo-Gómez
- Unitat Predepartamental de Medicina, Facultat de Ciències de la Salut, Universitat Jaume I, Castelló de la Plana, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental, CIBERSAM, Madrid, Spain
| | - Hector Albert-Gascó
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, UK Dementia Research Institute, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew L Gundlach
- The Florey Institute for Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Francisco E Olucha-Bordonau
- Unitat Predepartamental de Medicina, Facultat de Ciències de la Salut, Universitat Jaume I, Castelló de la Plana, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental, CIBERSAM, Madrid, Spain
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16
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de Ávila C, Chometton S, Calvez J, Guèvremont G, Kania A, Torz L, Lenglos C, Blasiak A, Rosenkilde MM, Holst B, Conrad CD, Fryer JD, Timofeeva E, Gundlach AL, Cifani C. Estrous Cycle Modulation of Feeding and Relaxin-3/Rxfp3 mRNA Expression: Implications for Estradiol Action. Neuroendocrinology 2021; 111:1201-1218. [PMID: 33333517 DOI: 10.1159/000513830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 12/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Food intake varies during the ovarian hormone/estrous cycle in humans and rodents, an effect mediated mainly by estradiol. A potential mediator of the central anorectic effects of estradiol is the neuropeptide relaxin-3 (RLN3) synthetized in the nucleus incertus (NI) and acting via the relaxin family peptide-3 receptor (RXFP3). METHODS We investigated the relationship between RLN3/RXFP3 signaling and feeding behavior across the female rat estrous cycle. We used in situ hybridization to investigate expression patterns of Rln3 mRNA in NI and Rxfp3 mRNA in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN), lateral hypothalamic area (LHA), medial preoptic area (MPA), and bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST), across the estrous cycle. We identified expression of estrogen receptors (ERs) in the NI using droplet digital PCR and assessed the electrophysiological responsiveness of NI neurons to estradiol in brain slices. RESULTS Rln3 mRNA reached the lowest levels in the NI pars compacta during proestrus. Rxfp3 mRNA levels varied across the estrous cycle in a region-specific manner, with changes observed in the perifornical LHA, magnocellular PVN, dorsal BNST, and MPA, but not in the parvocellular PVN or lateral LHA. G protein-coupled estrogen receptor 1 (Gper1) mRNA was the most abundant ER transcript in the NI. Estradiol inhibited 33% of type 1 NI neurons, including RLN3-positive cells. CONCLUSION These findings demonstrate that the RLN3/RXFP3 system is modulated by the estrous cycle, and although further studies are required to better elucidate the cellular and molecular mechanisms of estradiol signaling, current results implicate the involvement of the RLN3/RXFP3 system in food intake fluctuations observed across the estrous cycle in female rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camila de Ávila
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, CRIUCPQ, Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada,
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark,
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, Arizona, USA,
- Department of Psychology, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA,
| | - Sandrine Chometton
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, CRIUCPQ, Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada
| | - Juliane Calvez
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, CRIUCPQ, Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada
| | - Geneviève Guèvremont
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, CRIUCPQ, Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada
| | - Alan Kania
- Department of Neurophysiology and Chronobiology, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Lola Torz
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- NNF CBMR, Nutrient and Metabolite Sensing, Faculty of Health and Medical Science, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Christophe Lenglos
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, CRIUCPQ, Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada
| | - Anna Blasiak
- Department of Neurophysiology and Chronobiology, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Mette M Rosenkilde
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Birgitte Holst
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- NNF CBMR, Nutrient and Metabolite Sensing, Faculty of Health and Medical Science, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Cheryl D Conrad
- Department of Psychology, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
| | - John D Fryer
- Department of Neuroscience, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, Arizona, USA
| | - Elena Timofeeva
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, CRIUCPQ, Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada
| | - Andrew L Gundlach
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Carlo Cifani
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, CRIUCPQ, Université Laval, Québec, Québec, Canada
- School of Pharmacy, Pharmacology Unit, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
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17
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Fasting and refeeding cycles alter subcutaneous white depot growth dynamics and the morphology of brown adipose tissue in female rats. Br J Nutr 2020; 126:460-469. [DOI: 10.1017/s0007114520004055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
AbstractIntermittent food restriction (IFR) is used mainly for weight loss; however, its effects on adipose tissue are not known when alternating with an obesogenic diet. To demonstrate its effects on morphological dynamics of fat deposits, female Wistar rats were distributed into groups: standard control (ST-C), with commercial diet; DIO control (DIO-C), with a diet that induces obesity (DIO) during the first and last 15 d, replaced by a standard diet for thirty intermediate days; standard restricted (ST-R), with standard diet during the first and last 15 d, with six cycles of IFR at 50 % of ST-C; and DIO restricted (DIO-R), in DIO during the first and last 15 d, with six cycles of IFR at 50 % of DIO-C. At 105 d of life, white adipose tissue (WAT) and brown adipose tissue (BAT) deposits were collected, weighed and histology performed. The DIO-R group showed higher total food intake (DIO-R 10 768·0 (SEM 357·52) kJ/g v. DIO-C 8868·6 (SEM 249·25) kJ/g, P < 0·0001), energy efficiency during RAI (DIO-R 2·26 (SEM 0·05) g/kJ v. DIO-C 0·70 (SEM 0·03) g/kJ, P < 0·0001) and WAT (DIO-R 5·65 (SEM 0·30) g/100 g v. DIO-C 4·56 (SEM 0·30) g/100 g) than their respective control. Furthermore, IFR groups presented hypertrophy of WAT and BAT, as well as fibrosis in BAT. Thus, IFR can establish prospective resistance to weight loss by favouring changes in adipose tissue morphology, increased energy intake and efficiency. Finally, the DIO diet before and after IFR aggravates the damages caused by the restriction.
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18
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Tapp DN, Zerkle HL, McMurray MS. Extent of food restriction affects probability but not delay-based decision-making. J Exp Anal Behav 2020; 114:179-192. [PMID: 32776567 DOI: 10.1002/jeab.624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2019] [Revised: 07/10/2020] [Accepted: 07/12/2020] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Rodent studies on decision-making often use food rewards and food-restrict subjects in order to motivate performance. However, food restriction has widespread effects on brain and behavior, which depend on factors including extent of restriction and feeding schedule. These factors are well recognized for their effects on motivation, but may also cause effects on decision-making independent of motivation. We examined how the degree of weight-based food restriction in rats influenced decision-making on the probability and delay discounting tasks. Additionally, we examined how the method of food restriction (consistent amount vs. time constrained feeding schedule) influenced decision-making. Our results showed that the degree of weight-based food restriction significantly altered probability, but not delay discounting, and that these effects were not entirely explainable by differences in motivation. Additionally, the method of food restriction did not significantly influence discounting when animals were within the same range of weight-based restriction. Together, our findings suggest that the degree of food restriction may modulate the neural circuitry responsible for selective aspects of decision-making related to probability. Further, these data support the need for tight control and reporting of weight and feeding in studies relying on food restriction, and suggest that the effects of food restriction may be broader than previously considered.
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19
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Kania A, Szlaga A, Sambak P, Gugula A, Blasiak E, Micioni Di Bonaventura MV, Hossain MA, Cifani C, Hess G, Gundlach AL, Blasiak A. RLN3/RXFP3 Signaling in the PVN Inhibits Magnocellular Neurons via M-like Current Activation and Contributes to Binge Eating Behavior. J Neurosci 2020; 40:5362-5375. [PMID: 32532885 PMCID: PMC7343322 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.2895-19.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2019] [Revised: 04/17/2020] [Accepted: 05/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Binge-eating disorder is the most common eating disorder. Various neuropeptides play important roles in the regulation of feeding behavior, including relaxin-3 (RLN3), which stimulates food intake in rats through the activation of the relaxin-family peptide-3 receptor (RXFP3). Here we demonstrate that a likely mechanism underlying the orexigenic action of RLN3 is RXFP3-mediated inhibition of oxytocin- and arginine-vasopressin-synthesizing paraventricular nucleus (PVN) magnocellular neurosecretory cells. Moreover, we reveal that, in male and female rats, this action depends on M-like potassium conductance. Notably, higher intra- and peri-PVN RLN3 fiber densities were observed in females, which may constitute an anatomic substrate for observed sex differences in binge-eating disorder. Finally, in a model of binge-eating in female rats, RXFP3 blockade within the PVN prevented binge-eating behavior. These data demonstrate a direct RLN3/RXFP3 action in the PVN of male and female rats, identify the associated ionic mechanisms, and reveal that hypothalamic RLN3/RXFP3 signaling regulates binge-eating behavior.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Binge-eating disorder is the most common eating disorder worldwide, affecting women twice as frequently as men. Various neuropeptides play important roles in the regulation of feeding behavior, including relaxin-3, which acts via the relaxin-family peptide-3 receptor (RXFP3). Using a model of binge-eating, we demonstrated that relaxin-3/RXFP3 signaling in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) is necessary for the expression of binge-eating behavior in female rats. Moreover, we elucidated the neuronal mechanism of RLN3/RXFP3 signaling in PVN in male and female rats and characterized sex differences in the RLN3 innervation of the PVN. These findings increase our understanding of the brain circuits and neurotransmitters involved in binge-eating disorder pathology and identify RXFP3 as a therapeutic target for binge-like eating disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan Kania
- Department of Neurophysiology and Chronobiology, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Faculty of Biology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, 30-387, Poland
- School of Pharmacy, Pharmacology Unit, University of Camerino, Camerino, 62032, Italy
| | - Agata Szlaga
- Department of Neurophysiology and Chronobiology, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Faculty of Biology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, 30-387, Poland
| | - Patryk Sambak
- Department of Neurophysiology and Chronobiology, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Faculty of Biology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, 30-387, Poland
| | - Anna Gugula
- Department of Neurophysiology and Chronobiology, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Faculty of Biology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, 30-387, Poland
| | - Ewa Blasiak
- Department of Physical Biochemistry, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, 30-387, Poland
| | | | - Mohammad Akhter Hossain
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, and Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, 3010 Victoria, Australia
| | - Carlo Cifani
- School of Pharmacy, Pharmacology Unit, University of Camerino, Camerino, 62032, Italy
| | - Grzegorz Hess
- Department of Neurophysiology and Chronobiology, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Faculty of Biology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, 30-387, Poland
| | - Andrew L Gundlach
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, and Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, 3010 Victoria, Australia
| | - Anna Blasiak
- Department of Neurophysiology and Chronobiology, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Faculty of Biology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, 30-387, Poland
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20
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de Ávila C, Chometton S, Ma S, Pedersen LT, Timofeeva E, Cifani C, Gundlach AL. Effects of chronic silencing of relaxin-3 production in nucleus incertus neurons on food intake, body weight, anxiety-like behaviour and limbic brain activity in female rats. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2020; 237:1091-1106. [PMID: 31897576 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-019-05439-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2019] [Accepted: 12/17/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Eating disorders are frequently triggered by stress and are more prevalent in women than men. First signs often appear during early adolescence, but the biological basis for the sex-specific differences is unknown. Central administration of native relaxin-3 (RLN3) peptide or chimeric/truncated analogues produces differential effects on food intake and HPA axis activity in adult male and female rats, but the precise role of endogenous RLN3 signalling in metabolic and neuroendocrine control is unclear. Therefore, we examined the effects of microRNA-induced depletion (knock-down) of RLN3 mRNA/(peptide) production in neurons of the brainstem nucleus incertus (NI) in female rats on a range of physiological, behavioural and neurochemical indices, including food intake, body weight, anxiety, plasma corticosterone, mRNA levels of key neuropeptides in the paraventricular nucleus of hypothalamus (PVN) and limbic neural activity patterns (reflected by c-fos mRNA). Validated depletion of RLN3 in NI neurons of female rats (n = 8) produced a small, sustained (~ 2%) decrease in body weight, an imbalance in food intake and an increase in anxiety-like behaviour in the large open field, but not in the elevated plus-maze or light/dark box. Furthermore, NI RLN3 depletion disrupted corticosterone regulation, increased oxytocin and arginine-vasopressin, but not corticotropin-releasing factor, mRNA, in PVN, and decreased basal levels of c-fos mRNA in parvocellular and magnocellular PVN, bed nucleus of stria terminalis and the lateral hypothalamic area, brain regions involved in stress and feeding. These findings support a role for NI RLN3 neurons in fine-tuning stress and neuroendocrine responses and food intake regulation in female rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camila de Ávila
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, CRIUCPQ, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Québec, Canada. .,The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia. .,NNF CBMR, Nutrient and Metabolite Sensing, Faculty of Health and Medical Science, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Sandrine Chometton
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, CRIUCPQ, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
| | - Sherie Ma
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Monash University, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Lola Torz Pedersen
- NNF CBMR, Nutrient and Metabolite Sensing, Faculty of Health and Medical Science, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Elena Timofeeva
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, CRIUCPQ, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Québec, Canada
| | - Carlo Cifani
- Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, CRIUCPQ, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Québec, Canada.,Pharmacology Unit, School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
| | - Andrew L Gundlach
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
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21
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Yang L, Li Y, Wu Y, Sun S, Song Q, Wei J, Sun L, Li M, Wang D, Zhou L. Rln3a is a prerequisite for spermatogenesis and fertility in male fish. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2020; 197:105517. [PMID: 31678357 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2019.105517] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2019] [Revised: 10/10/2019] [Accepted: 10/25/2019] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The essential roles of Relaxin3 (RLN3) in energy homeostasis had been well investigated, while the mechanisms of RLN3 regulating reproduction remain to be elusive in mammals. Although two rln3 paralogues have been characterized in several teleosts, their functions still remain largely unknown. In this study, two paralogous rln3 genes, represented as rln3a and rln3b, were identified from the testis of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Rln3a was dominantly expressed in testis, while the most abundant rln3b expression was in brain. In situ hybridization demonstrated that rln3a is abundantly expressed in the Leydig cells of the testis. To understand the role of Rln3 in the testicular development, homologous null-rln3a gene mutant line was constructed by CRISPR/Cas9 technology. Morphological observation demonstrated that null mutation of rln3a gene caused testicular hypertrophy and a significant increase of GSI. However, a significant decrease of spermatogenic cells at different phases, i.e. spermatogonia, spermatocytes, spermatids and sperms was found. Silencing of rln3a gene repressed the expression of key genes in germ cell and Leydig cell. Deficiency of Rln3a led to the significant decrease of 11-KT production, which stimulated the up-regulation of both FSH and LH production in the pituitary via a negative feedback manner possibly. Mutation of rln3a in XY fish led to the hypogonadism with sperm deformation, significant decrease of fertility, and sperm motility, revealing as the high mortality of the offspring obtained by crossing the wild type female and rln3a-/- XY fish. Interestingly, recombinant human RLN3 injection significantly enhanced the sperm motility in rln3a-/- XY fish. Moreover, hCG treatment stimulated the expression of steroidogenic enzyme genes and 11-KT production, which were repressed by rln3a mutation in XY fish. Taken together, this study, for the first time by using a gene knockout model, proved that Rln3a is an indispensable mediator for androgen production in testis via HPG axis, and plays an essential role in spermatogenesis, sperm motility and male fertility in fish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lanying Yang
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Yanlong Li
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - You Wu
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Shaohua Sun
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Qiang Song
- Chongqing Three Gorges Central Hospital, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Jing Wei
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Lina Sun
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Minghui Li
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Deshou Wang
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China.
| | - Linyan Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Fish Reproduction and Development (Ministry of Education), Key Laboratory of Aquatic Science of Chongqing, School of Life Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715, China.
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22
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Freire-Regatillo A, Fernández-Gómez MJ, Díaz F, Barrios V, Sánchez-Jabonero I, Frago LM, Argente J, García-Segura LM, Chowen JA. Sex differences in the peripubertal response to a short-term, high-fat diet intake. J Neuroendocrinol 2020; 32:e12756. [PMID: 31179596 DOI: 10.1111/jne.12756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2019] [Revised: 06/06/2019] [Accepted: 06/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Obesity is one of the most important health problems facing developed countries because being overweight is associated with a higher incidence of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer, as well as other comorbidities. Although increased weight gain results from a combination of poor dietary habits and decreased energy expenditure, not all individuals have equal propensities to gain weight or to develop secondary complications of obesity. This is partially a result not only of genetics, including sex, but also the time during which an individual is exposed to an obesogenic environment. In the present study, we have compared the response of male and female mice to short-term exposure to a high-fat diet (HFD) or a low-fat diet during the peripubertal period (starting at 42 days of age) because this is a stage of dramatic hormonal and metabolic modifications. After 1 week on a HFD, there was no significant increase in body weight, although females significantly increased their energy intake. Serum leptin levels increased in both sexes, even though no change in fat mass was detected. Glyceamia and homeostasis model assessment increased in males, suggesting a rapid change in glucose metabolism. Hypothalamic pro-opiomelanocortin mRNA levels were significantly higher in females on a HFD compared to all other groups, which may be an attempt to reduce their increased energy intake. Hypothalamic inflammation and gliosis have been implicated in the development of secondary complications of obesity; however, no indication of activation of inflammatory processes or gliosis was found in response to 1 week of HFD in the hypothalamus, hippocampus or cerebellum of these young mice. These results indicate that there are both sex and age effects in the response to poor dietary intake because peripubertal male and female mice respond differently to short-term dietary changes and this response is different from that reported in adult rodents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandra Freire-Regatillo
- Department of Endocrinology, Hospital Infantil Universitario Niño Jesús, Instituto de Investigación la Princesa, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Pediatrics, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- CIBEROBN (Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red: Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición), Instituto Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - María J Fernández-Gómez
- Department of Endocrinology, Hospital Infantil Universitario Niño Jesús, Instituto de Investigación la Princesa, Madrid, Spain
| | - Francisca Díaz
- Department of Endocrinology, Hospital Infantil Universitario Niño Jesús, Instituto de Investigación la Princesa, Madrid, Spain
- CIBEROBN (Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red: Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición), Instituto Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Vicente Barrios
- Department of Endocrinology, Hospital Infantil Universitario Niño Jesús, Instituto de Investigación la Princesa, Madrid, Spain
- CIBEROBN (Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red: Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición), Instituto Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Laura M Frago
- Department of Endocrinology, Hospital Infantil Universitario Niño Jesús, Instituto de Investigación la Princesa, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Pediatrics, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- CIBEROBN (Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red: Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición), Instituto Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jesús Argente
- Department of Endocrinology, Hospital Infantil Universitario Niño Jesús, Instituto de Investigación la Princesa, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Pediatrics, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- CIBEROBN (Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red: Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición), Instituto Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- IMDEA Food Institute, CEI UAM + CSIC, Madrid, Spain
| | - Luis Miguel García-Segura
- Instituto Cajal, CSIC (Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas), Madrid, Spain
- CIBERFES (Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Fragilidad y Envejecimiento Saludable), Instituto Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Julie A Chowen
- Department of Endocrinology, Hospital Infantil Universitario Niño Jesús, Instituto de Investigación la Princesa, Madrid, Spain
- CIBEROBN (Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red: Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición), Instituto Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
- IMDEA Food Institute, CEI UAM + CSIC, Madrid, Spain
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23
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Kanasaki H, Tumurbaatar T, Tumurgan Z, Oride A, Okada H, Kyo S. Effect of relaxin-3 on Kiss-1, gonadotropin-releasing hormone, and gonadotropin subunit gene expression. Reprod Med Biol 2019; 18:397-404. [PMID: 31607801 PMCID: PMC6780024 DOI: 10.1002/rmb2.12298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2019] [Revised: 08/09/2019] [Accepted: 08/20/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Relaxin-3 is a hypothalamic neuropeptide that belongs to the insulin superfamily. We examined whether relaxin-3 could affect hypothalamic Kiss-1, gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), and pituitary gonadotropin subunit gene expression. METHODS Mouse hypothalamic cell models, mHypoA-50 (originated from the hypothalamic anteroventral periventricular region), mHypoA-55 (originated from arcuate nucleus), and GT1-7, and the mouse pituitary gonadotroph LβT2 were used. Expression of Kiss-1, GnRH, and luteinizing hormone (LH)/follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) β-subunits was determined after stimulation with relaxin-3. RESULTS RXFP3, a principle relaxin-3 receptor, was expressed in these cell models. In mHypoA-50 cells, relaxin-3 did not exert a significant effect on Kiss-1 expression. In contrast, the Kiss-1 gene in mHypoA-55 was significantly increased by 1 nmol/L relaxin-3. These cells also express GnRH mRNA, and its expression was significantly stimulated by relaxin-3. In GT1-7 cells, relaxin-3 significantly upregulated Kiss-1 expression; however, GnRH mRNA expression in GT1-7 cells was not altered. In primary cultures of fetal rat neuronal cells, 100 nmol/L relaxin-3 significantly increased GnRH expression. In pituitary gonadotroph LβT2, both LHβ- and FSHβ-subunit were significantly increased by 1 nmol/L relaxin-3. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that relaxin-3 exerts its effect by modulating the expression of Kiss-1, GnRH, and gonadotropin subunits, all of which are part of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haruhiko Kanasaki
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyShimane University School of MedicineIzumoJapan
| | | | - Zolzaya Tumurgan
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyShimane University School of MedicineIzumoJapan
| | - Aki Oride
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyShimane University School of MedicineIzumoJapan
| | - Hiroe Okada
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyShimane University School of MedicineIzumoJapan
| | - Satoru Kyo
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyShimane University School of MedicineIzumoJapan
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24
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Farinetti A, Aspesi D, Marraudino M, Marzola E, Amianto F, Abbate-Daga G, Gotti S. Sexually dimorphic behavioral effects of maternal separation in anorexic rats. Dev Psychobiol 2019; 62:297-309. [PMID: 31502241 DOI: 10.1002/dev.21909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2019] [Revised: 07/25/2019] [Accepted: 07/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to negative events during the neonatal period is one of the leading factors contributing to the development of psychiatric disorders, including anorexia nervosa. In this study, we investigated the effects of maternal separation (MS) on the development of anorexia in rodents using the mild-stress form of the activity-based anorexia (ABA) model (2 hr of free access to a running wheel and a 1-hr feeding test) in both male and female rats. We assessed anxiety-like and locomotor behavior and hyperactivity with the open field and elevated plus maze tests. Our results showed that ABA rats of both sexes displayed hyperactive behavior associated with reduced anxiety-like behavior when compared to controls. However, a sexually dimorphic effect of MS emerged in anorexic rats: while the females exposed to MS + ABA were hyperactive with diminished anxiety-related behaviors compared to females of the ABA group, MS in males attenuated or did not alter the effects of the ABA protocol. In conclusion, our data reveal that the synergistic effects of MS and ABA on physical activity and anxiety-like behavior act in opposite directions in the two sexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Farinetti
- Department of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini", University of Turin, Turin, Italy.,NICO- Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi, Turin, Italy
| | - Dario Aspesi
- Department of Psychiatry, The Psychiatric Institute, University of Illinois, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Marilena Marraudino
- Department of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini", University of Turin, Turin, Italy.,NICO- Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi, Turin, Italy
| | - Enrica Marzola
- Department of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini", University of Turin, Turin, Italy.,Eating disorders Unit of AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Federico Amianto
- Department of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini", University of Turin, Turin, Italy.,Eating disorders Unit of AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Giovanni Abbate-Daga
- Department of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini", University of Turin, Turin, Italy.,Eating disorders Unit of AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Stefano Gotti
- Department of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini", University of Turin, Turin, Italy.,NICO- Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi, Turin, Italy
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25
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Rytova V, Ganella DE, Hawkes D, Bathgate RAD, Ma S, Gundlach AL. Chronic activation of the relaxin-3 receptor on GABA neurons in rat ventral hippocampus promotes anxiety and social avoidance. Hippocampus 2019; 29:905-920. [PMID: 30891856 DOI: 10.1002/hipo.23089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2018] [Revised: 02/19/2019] [Accepted: 02/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Anxiety disorders are highly prevalent in modern society and better treatments are required. Key brain areas and signaling systems underlying anxiety include prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, and amygdala, and monoaminergic and peptidergic systems, respectively. Hindbrain GABAergic projection neurons that express the peptide, relaxin-3, broadly innervate the forebrain, particularly the septum and hippocampus, and relaxin-3 acts via a Gi/o -protein-coupled receptor known as the relaxin-family peptide 3 receptor (RXFP3). Thus, relaxin-3/RXFP3 signaling is implicated in modulation of arousal, motivation, mood, memory, and anxiety. Ventral hippocampus (vHip) is central to affective and cognitive processing and displays a high density of relaxin-3-positive nerve fibers and RXFP3 binding sites, but the identity of target neurons and associated effects on behavior are unknown. Therefore, in adult, male rats, we assessed the neurochemical nature of hippocampal RXFP3 mRNA-expressing neurons and anxiety-like and social behavior following chronic RXFP3 activation in vHip by viral vector expression of an RXFP3-selective agonist peptide, R3/I5. RXFP3 mRNA detected by fluorescent in situ hybridization was topographically distributed across the hippocampus in somatostatin- and parvalbumin-mRNA expressing GABA neurons. Chronic RXFP3 activation in vHip increased anxiety-like behavior in the light-dark box and elevated-plus maze, but not the large open-field test, and reduced social interaction with a conspecific stranger. Our data reveal disruptive effects of persistent RXFP3 signaling on hippocampal GABA networks important in anxiety; and identify a potential therapeutic target for anxiety disorders that warrants further investigation in relevant preclinical models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Rytova
- Discovery Science, The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Despina E Ganella
- Discovery Science, The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - David Hawkes
- Discovery Science, The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ross A D Bathgate
- Discovery Science, The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Sherie Ma
- Discovery Science, The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Andrew L Gundlach
- Discovery Science, The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
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26
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de Bruijn R, Romero LM. The role of glucocorticoids in the vertebrate response to weather. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2018; 269:11-32. [PMID: 30012539 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2018.07.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2018] [Revised: 06/29/2018] [Accepted: 07/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Changes in the environment related to inclement weather can threaten survival and reproductive success both through direct adverse exposure and indirectly by decreasing food availability. Glucocorticoids, released during activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis as part of the stress response, are an important candidate for linking vertebrate coping mechanisms to weather. This review attempts to determine if there is a consensus response of glucocorticoids to exposure to weather-related stimuli, including food availability, precipitation, temperature and barometric pressure. The included studies cover field and laboratory studies for all vertebrate taxa, and are separated into four exposure periods, e.g., hours, days, weeks and months. Each reported result was assigned a score based on the glucocorticoid response, e.g., increased, no change, or decreased. Short-term exposure to weather-related stimuli, of up to 24 h, is generally associated with increased glucocorticoids (79% of studies), suggesting that these stimuli are perceived as stressors by most animals. In contrast, the pattern for exposures longer than 24 h shows more variation, even though a majority of studies still report an increase (64%). Lack of glucocorticoid increases appeared to result from instances where: (1) prolonged exposure was a predictable part of the life history of an animal; (2) environmental context was important for the ultimate effect of a stimulus (e.g., precipitation limited food availability in one environment, but increased food in another); (3) prolonged exposure induced chronic stress; and (4) long-term responses appeared to reflect adaptations to seasonal shifts, instead of to short-term weather. However, there is a strong bias towards studies in domesticated laboratory species and wild animals held in captivity, indicating a need for field studies, especially in reptiles and amphibians. In conclusion, the accumulated literature supports the hypothesis that glucocorticoids can serve as the physiological mechanism promoting fitness during inclement weather.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert de Bruijn
- Department of Biology, Tufts University, Medford, MA 02155, USA.
| | - L Michael Romero
- Department of Biology, Tufts University, Medford, MA 02155, USA.
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27
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Wen S, Wang C, Gong M, Zhou L. An overview of energy and metabolic regulation. SCIENCE CHINA-LIFE SCIENCES 2018; 62:771-790. [PMID: 30367342 DOI: 10.1007/s11427-018-9371-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2018] [Accepted: 08/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The physiology and behaviors related to energy balance are monitored by the nervous and humoral systems. Because of the difficulty in treating diabetes and obesity, elucidating the energy balance mechanism and identifying critical targets for treatment are important research goals. Therefore, the purpose of this article is to describe energy regulation by the central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral humoral pathway. Homeostasis and rewarding are the basis of CNS regulation. Anorexigenic or orexigenic effects reflect the activities of the POMC/CART or NPY/AgRP neurons within the hypothalamus. Neurotransmitters have roles in food intake, and responsive brain nuclei have different functions related to food intake, glucose monitoring, reward processing. Peripheral gut- or adipose-derived hormones are the major source of peripheral humoral regulation systems. Nutrients or metabolites and gut microbiota affect metabolism via a discrete pathway. We also review the role of peripheral organs, the liver, adipose tissue, and skeletal muscle in peripheral regulation. We discuss these topics and how the body regulates metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Song Wen
- Department of Endocrinology, Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201399, China
| | - Chaoxun Wang
- Department of Endocrinology, Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201399, China
| | - Min Gong
- Department of Endocrinology, Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201399, China
| | - Ligang Zhou
- Department of Endocrinology, Shanghai Pudong Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201399, China.
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28
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Hohlbaum K, Bert B, Dietze S, Palme R, Fink H, Thöne-Reineke C. Impact of repeated anesthesia with ketamine and xylazine on the well-being of C57BL/6JRj mice. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0203559. [PMID: 30231081 PMCID: PMC6145541 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0203559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2018] [Accepted: 08/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Within the scope of the 3Rs of Russel and Burch, the number of laboratory animals can be reduced by repeated use of an animal. This strategy only becomes relevant, if the total amount of pain, distress or harm the individual animal experiences does not exceed the severity of a single manipulation. For example, when using imaging techniques, an animal can be examined several times during a study, but it has to be anesthetized each time imaging is performed. The severity of anesthesia is thought to be mild according to the Directive 2010/63/EU. However, the Directive does not differentiate between single and repeated anesthesia, although repeated anesthesia may have a greater impact on well-being. Hence, we compared the impact of single and repeated anesthesia (six times at an interval of three to four days) by injection of ketamine and xylazine (KX) on the well-being of adult female and male C57BL/6JRj mice. After anesthesia, well-being of mice was assessed according to a protocol for systematic assessment of well-being including nesting, the Mouse Grimace Scale (MGS), a test for trait anxiety, home cage activity, and the rotarod test for motor activity, food intake, and body weight, as well as corticosterone (metabolite) analysis. Repeated anesthesia increased the MGS in mice of both sexes and caused short-term effects on well-being of female mice in the immediate post-anesthetic period, indicated by longer lasting effects on trait anxiety-related behavior. However, corticosterone metabolite concentrations suggested that mice habituated to the stress induced by repeated KX administration. Hence, the mildly negative effects on well-being of repeated KX anesthesia do not seem to accumulate over time using the respective regimen. However, further observations for severity classification are warranted in order to more specifically determine the duration of mild distress and trait anxiety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Hohlbaum
- Institute of Animal Welfare, Animal Behavior and Laboratory Animal Science, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- * E-mail:
| | - Bettina Bert
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Silke Dietze
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Rupert Palme
- Unit of Physiology, Pathophysiology and Experimental Endocrinology, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna, Austria
| | - Heidrun Fink
- Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christa Thöne-Reineke
- Institute of Animal Welfare, Animal Behavior and Laboratory Animal Science, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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García-Díaz C, Sánchez-Catalán MJ, Castro-Salazar E, García-Avilés A, Albert-Gascó H, Sánchez-Sarasúa de la Bárcena S, Sánchez-Pérez AM, Gundlach AL, Olucha-Bordonau FE. Nucleus incertus ablation disrupted conspecific recognition and modified immediate early gene expression patterns in 'social brain' circuits of rats. Behav Brain Res 2018; 356:332-347. [PMID: 30195021 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2018.08.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2018] [Revised: 08/14/2018] [Accepted: 08/31/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Social interaction involves neural activity in prefrontal cortex, septum, hippocampus, amygdala and hypothalamus. Notably, these areas all receive projections from the nucleus incertus (NI) in the pontine tegmentum. Therefore, we investigated the effect of excitotoxic lesions of NI neurons in adult male, Wistar rats on performance in a social discrimination test, and associated changes in immediate-early gene protein levels. NI was lesioned with quinolinic acid, and after recovery, rats underwent two trials in the 3-chamber test. In the first trial, NI-lesioned and sham-lesioned rats spent longer exploring a conspecific than an inanimate object. By contrast, in the second trial, NI-lesioned rats visited the familiar and novel conspecific chambers equally, whereas sham-lesioned rats spent longer engaging with the novel rat. Quantification of Fos- and Egr-1-immunoreactivity (IR) levels in brain areas implicated in social behaviour, revealed that social encounter and NI lesion produced complex, differential changes. For example, Egr-1-IR was broadly decreased in several amygdala nuclei in NI-lesioned rats relative to sham, but Fos-IR levels were unaltered. In hippocampus, NI-lesioned rats displayed decreased Fos-IR in CA2 and CA3, while Egr-1-IR was increased in the polymorphic dentate gyrus, CA1, CA2 and subiculum of NI-lesioned rats, relative to sham. Social encounter-related Egr-1-IR was also decreased in septum and anterior and lateral hypothalamus of NI-lesioned rats. Overall, these data suggest NI networks can modulate the activity of sensory, emotional and executive brain areas involved in social recognition, with a likely involvement of neuronal Egr-1 activation in amygdala, septum and hypothalamus, and Erg-1 inhibition in hippocampus.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - A L Gundlach
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
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30
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Olucha-Bordonau FE, Albert-Gascó H, Ros-Bernal F, Rytova V, Ong-Pålsson EKE, Ma S, Sánchez-Pérez AM, Gundlach AL. Modulation of forebrain function by nucleus incertus and relaxin-3/RXFP3 signaling. CNS Neurosci Ther 2018; 24:694-702. [PMID: 29722152 DOI: 10.1111/cns.12862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2018] [Revised: 03/22/2018] [Accepted: 03/28/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The nucleus incertus (NI) in the pontine tegmentum sends ascending projections to the midbrain, hypothalamus, amygdala, basal forebrain, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex, and has a postulated role in modulating several forebrain functions. A substantial population of GABAergic NI neurons expresses the neuropeptide, relaxin-3, which acts via the Gi/o -protein-coupled receptor, RXFP3, present throughout the forebrain target regions. Broad and specific manipulations of these systems by activation or inhibition of the NI or modulating RXFP3 signaling have revealed key insights into the likely influence of the NI/relaxin-3/RXFP3 system on modalities including arousal, feeding, stress responses, anxiety and addiction, and attention and memory. This range of actions corresponds to a likely impact of NI/(relaxin-3) projections on multiple integrated circuits, but makes it difficult to draw conclusions about a generalized function for this network. This review will focus on the key physiological process of oscillatory theta rhythm and the neural circuits that promote it during behavioral activation, highlighting the ability of NI and relaxin-3/RXFP3 signaling systems to modulate these circuits. A better understanding of these mechanisms may provide a way to therapeutically adjust malfunction of forebrain activity present in several pathological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Héctor Albert-Gascó
- Department of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, Universitat Jaume I, Castellón de la Plana, Spain
| | - Francisco Ros-Bernal
- Department of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, Universitat Jaume I, Castellón de la Plana, Spain
| | - Valeria Rytova
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Vic., Australia
| | - Emma K E Ong-Pålsson
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Vic., Australia
| | - Sherie Ma
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Vic., Australia
| | - Ana M Sánchez-Pérez
- Department of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, Universitat Jaume I, Castellón de la Plana, Spain
| | - Andrew L Gundlach
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Vic., Australia
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31
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Novati A, Hentrich T, Wassouf Z, Weber JJ, Yu-Taeger L, Déglon N, Nguyen HP, Schulze-Hentrich JM. Environment-dependent striatal gene expression in the BACHD rat model for Huntington disease. Sci Rep 2018; 8:5803. [PMID: 29643462 PMCID: PMC5895842 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-24243-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2017] [Accepted: 03/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Huntington disease (HD) is an autosomal dominant neurodegenerative disorder caused by a mutation in the huntingtin (HTT) gene which results in progressive neurodegeneration in the striatum, cortex, and eventually most brain areas. Despite being a monogenic disorder, environmental factors influence HD characteristics. Both human and mouse studies suggest that mutant HTT (mHTT) leads to gene expression changes that harbor potential to be modulated by the environment. Yet, the underlying mechanisms integrating environmental cues into the gene regulatory program have remained largely unclear. To better understand gene-environment interactions in the context of mHTT, we employed RNA-seq to examine effects of maternal separation (MS) and environmental enrichment (EE) on striatal gene expression during development of BACHD rats. We integrated our results with striatal consensus modules defined on HTT-CAG length and age-dependent co-expression gene networks to relate the environmental factors with disease progression. While mHTT was the main determinant of expression changes, both MS and EE were capable of modulating these disturbances, resulting in distinctive and in several cases opposing effects of MS and EE on consensus modules. This bivalent response to maternal separation and environmental enrichment may aid in explaining their distinct effects observed on disease phenotypes in animal models of HD and related neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arianna Novati
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Thomas Hentrich
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Zinah Wassouf
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Jonasz J Weber
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Libo Yu-Taeger
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Nicole Déglon
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences (DNC), Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Huu Phuc Nguyen
- Institute of Medical Genetics and Applied Genomics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany. .,Department of Human Genetics, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany.
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Murphy M, Dijkstra DJ, Duncan JS, Horgan GW, Mercer JG. A spontaneous binge-like eating model in mice using unpredictable once weekly access to palatable diets. Appetite 2018; 126:137-146. [PMID: 29627345 DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2018.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2017] [Revised: 04/04/2018] [Accepted: 04/04/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Many pre-clinical models of binge-like eating involve predictable, scheduled, access to a palatable diet high in fat (HF), where access may be preceded by anticipatory behaviour. Here, to introduce spontaneity into the binge-type consumption of palatable diets, mice were allowed 2 h access on a random day once per week and at a random time within an 8 h window either side of the transition from dark phase to light phase. Despite normal intake of a stock diet prior to unpredictable access to HF diet, mice immediately initiated a substantial eating episode when presented with HF diet. Following this consumption, compensatory hypophagia was observed relative to stock diet-fed controls, and cumulative energy intakes converged. There were no effects of HF diet on body weight or body composition over a 12-week period. Binge-like consumption was also observed on unpredictable access to the complete liquid diet, chocolate Ensure, but not with a 10% sucrose solution. Binge-like responses to unpredictable access to HF diet or Ensure were similar in male and female mice, although there were effects of sex on caloric consumption from stock diet in the compensatory period following palatable diet intake, with higher intakes in females. The timing of the 2h access period relative to light phase transition affected intake of palatable diets, but less robustly than the equivalent effect on stock diet intake during the same timed periods - the diurnal patterning of energy intake was diet sensitive. The large spontaneous binge-like consumption on unpredictable access to either solid or liquid palatable diets in mice of either sex offers the potential to combine these attributes with other manipulations where a developing obesity is part of the binge-like eating phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Murphy
- University of Aberdeen Rowett Institute, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, UK
| | - Dorieka J Dijkstra
- University of Aberdeen Rowett Institute, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, UK; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Medical Centre Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Jacqueline S Duncan
- University of Aberdeen Rowett Institute, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, UK
| | - Graham W Horgan
- Biomathematics & Statistics Scotland, Rowett Institute, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, UK
| | - Julian G Mercer
- University of Aberdeen Rowett Institute, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, AB25 2ZD, UK.
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Rosas Fernández MA, Concha Vilca CM, Batista LO, Ramos VW, Cinelli LP, Tibau de Albuquerque K. Intermittent food restriction in female rats induces SREBP high expression in hypothalamus and immediately postfasting hyperphagia. Nutrition 2018; 48:122-126. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nut.2017.11.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2017] [Revised: 10/16/2017] [Accepted: 11/11/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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34
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Vieira JO, Duarte JO, Costa-Ferreira W, Morais-Silva G, Marin MT, Crestani CC. Sex differences in cardiovascular, neuroendocrine and behavioral changes evoked by chronic stressors in rats. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2018; 81:426-437. [PMID: 28823849 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2017.08.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2017] [Revised: 08/15/2017] [Accepted: 08/15/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
This study investigated the physiological, somatic and behavioral changes evoked by daily exposure to the same type of stressor (homotypic) or different aversive stressor stimuli (heterotypic) in male and female rats. For this, adult Wistar rats were subjected to a 10days regimen of repeated restraint stress (RRS, homotypic stressor) or chronic variable stress (CVS, heterotypic stressor). Effects evoked by CVS included: (i) adrenal hypertrophy and decreased body weight gain in male animals, (ii) a sympathetically-mediated increase in basal heart rate in males, and (iii) a rise in plasma corticosterone concentration and anxiogenic effects in female animals. The homotypic stressor RRS also induced an increase in plasma corticosterone and anxiogenic effects in females, decreased body weight gain in males and evoked a sympathetically-mediated increase in heart rate in both sexes. Changes in cardiovascular function and autonomic activity evoked by both stressors were followed by impairment of baroreflex activity in males, but not female animals. Both chronic stressors evoked changes in blood pressure responsiveness to vasoconstrictor and vasodilator agents in both sexes. Taken together, these results indicate that regardless of chronic stress regimen males are more vulnerable to somatic effects of chronic stressors, while females appear to be more susceptible to neuroendocrine and behavioral changes. Present findings also indicate that females are selectively vulnerable to cardiovascular and autonomic changes evoked by homotypic stressors. Nevertheless, homotypic and heterotypic stressors similarly affect cardiovascular function and autonomic activity in males.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonas O Vieira
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Araraquara, SP, Brazil; Joint UFSCar-UNESP Graduate Program in Physiological Sciences, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Josiane O Duarte
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Araraquara, SP, Brazil; Joint UFSCar-UNESP Graduate Program in Physiological Sciences, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Willian Costa-Ferreira
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Araraquara, SP, Brazil; Joint UFSCar-UNESP Graduate Program in Physiological Sciences, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Gessynger Morais-Silva
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Araraquara, SP, Brazil; Joint UFSCar-UNESP Graduate Program in Physiological Sciences, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Marcelo T Marin
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Araraquara, SP, Brazil; Joint UFSCar-UNESP Graduate Program in Physiological Sciences, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Carlos C Crestani
- Laboratory of Pharmacology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Araraquara, SP, Brazil; Joint UFSCar-UNESP Graduate Program in Physiological Sciences, São Carlos, SP, Brazil.
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Zhang C, Baimoukhametova DV, Smith CM, Bains JS, Gundlach AL. Relaxin-3/RXFP3 signalling in mouse hypothalamus: no effect of RXFP3 activation on corticosterone, despite reduced presynaptic excitatory input onto paraventricular CRH neurons in vitro. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2017; 234:1725-1739. [PMID: 28314951 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-017-4575-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2016] [Accepted: 02/16/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Relaxin-3/RXFP3 signalling is proposed to be involved in the neuromodulatory control of arousal- and stress-related neural circuits. Furthermore, previous studies in rats have led to the proposal that relaxin-3/RXFP3 signalling is associated with activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, but direct evidence for RXFP3-related actions on the activity of hypothalamic corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) neurons is lacking. In this study, we investigated characteristics of the relaxin-3/RXFP3 system in mouse hypothalamus. Administration of an RXFP3 agonist (RXFP3-A2) intra-cerebroventricularly or directly into the paraventricular nucleus of hypothalamus (PVN) of C57BL/6J mice did not alter corticosterone levels. Similarly, there were no differences between serum corticosterone levels in Rxfp3 knockout (C57BL/6JRXFP3TM1) and wild-type mice at baseline and after stress, despite detection of the predicted stress-induced increases in serum corticosterone. We examined the nature of the relaxin-3 innervation of PVN in wild-type mice and in Crh-IRES-Cre;Ai14 mice that co-express the tdTomato fluorophore in CRH neurons, identifying abundant relaxin-3 fibres in the peri-PVN region, but only sparse fibres associated with densely packed CRH neurons. In whole-cell voltage-clamp recordings of tdTomato-positive CRH neurons in these mice, we observed a reduction in sEPSC frequency following local application of RXFP3-A2, consistent with an activation of RXFP3 on presynaptic glutamatergic afferents in the PVN region. These studies clarify the relationship between relaxin-3/RXFP3 inputs and CRH neurons in mouse PVN, with implications for the interpretation of current and previous in vivo studies and future investigations of this stress-related signalling network in normal and transgenic mice, under normal and pathological conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Zhang
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, 30 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia.,Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - D V Baimoukhametova
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - C M Smith
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, 30 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia.,Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - J S Bains
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Andrew L Gundlach
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, 30 Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia. .,Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia.
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36
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Chronic social instability increases anxiety-like behavior and ethanol preference in male Long Evans rats. Physiol Behav 2017; 173:179-187. [DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2017.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2016] [Revised: 02/09/2017] [Accepted: 02/10/2017] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
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Blasiak A, Gundlach AL, Hess G, Lewandowski MH. Interactions of Circadian Rhythmicity, Stress and Orexigenic Neuropeptide Systems: Implications for Food Intake Control. Front Neurosci 2017; 11:127. [PMID: 28373831 PMCID: PMC5357634 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2017.00127] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2016] [Accepted: 03/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Many physiological processes fluctuate throughout the day/night and daily fluctuations are observed in brain and peripheral levels of several hormones, neuropeptides and transmitters. In turn, mediators under the “control” of the “master biological clock” reciprocally influence its function. Dysregulation in the rhythmicity of hormone release as well as hormone receptor sensitivity and availability in different tissues, is a common risk-factor for multiple clinical conditions, including psychiatric and metabolic disorders. At the same time circadian rhythms remain in a strong, reciprocal interaction with the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Recent findings point to a role of circadian disturbances and excessive stress in the development of obesity and related food consumption and metabolism abnormalities, which constitute a major health problem worldwide. Appetite, food intake and energy balance are under the influence of several brain neuropeptides, including the orexigenic agouti-related peptide, neuropeptide Y, orexin, melanin-concentrating hormone and relaxin-3. Importantly, orexigenic neuropeptide neurons remain under the control of the circadian timing system and are highly sensitive to various stressors, therefore the potential neuronal mechanisms through which disturbances in the daily rhythmicity and stress-related mediator levels contribute to food intake abnormalities rely on reciprocal interactions between these elements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Blasiak
- Department of Neurophysiology and Chronobiology, Institute of Zoology, Jagiellonian University Krakow, Poland
| | - Andrew L Gundlach
- Neuropeptides Division, The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental HealthParkville, VIC, Australia; Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of MelbourneParkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Grzegorz Hess
- Department of Neurophysiology and Chronobiology, Institute of Zoology, Jagiellonian UniversityKrakow, Poland; Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of SciencesKrakow, Poland
| | - Marian H Lewandowski
- Department of Neurophysiology and Chronobiology, Institute of Zoology, Jagiellonian University Krakow, Poland
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Kania A, Gugula A, Grabowiecka A, de Ávila C, Blasiak T, Rajfur Z, Lewandowski MH, Hess G, Timofeeva E, Gundlach AL, Blasiak A. Inhibition of oxytocin and vasopressin neuron activity in rat hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus by relaxin-3-RXFP3 signalling. J Physiol 2017; 595:3425-3447. [PMID: 28098344 DOI: 10.1113/jp273787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2016] [Accepted: 12/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
KEY POINTS Relaxin-3 is a stress-responsive neuropeptide that acts at its cognate receptor, RXFP3, to alter behaviours including feeding. In this study, we have demonstrated a direct, RXFP3-dependent, inhibitory action of relaxin-3 on oxytocin and vasopressin paraventricular nucleus (PVN) neuron electrical activity, a putative cellular mechanism of orexigenic actions of relaxin-3. We observed a Gαi/o -protein-dependent inhibitory influence of selective RXFP3 activation on PVN neuronal activity in vitro and demonstrated a direct action of RXFP3 activation on oxytocin and vasopressin PVN neurons, confirmed by their abundant expression of RXFP3 mRNA. Moreover, we demonstrated that RXFP3 activation induces a cadmium-sensitive outward current, which indicates the involvement of a characteristic magnocellular neuron outward potassium current. Furthermore, we identified an abundance of relaxin-3-immunoreactive axons/fibres originating from the nucleus incertus in close proximity to the PVN, but associated with sparse relaxin-3-containing fibres/terminals within the PVN. ABSTRACT The paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN) plays an essential role in the control of food intake and energy expenditure by integrating multiple neural and humoral inputs. Recent studies have demonstrated that intracerebroventricular and intra-PVN injections of the neuropeptide relaxin-3 or selective relaxin-3 receptor (RXFP3) agonists produce robust feeding in satiated rats, but the cellular and molecular mechanisms of action associated with these orexigenic effects have not been identified. In the present studies, using rat brain slices, we demonstrated that relaxin-3, acting through its cognate G-protein-coupled receptor, RXFP3, hyperpolarized a majority of putative magnocellular PVN neurons (88%, 22/25), including cells producing the anorexigenic neuropeptides, oxytocin and vasopressin. Importantly, the action of relaxin-3 persisted in the presence of tetrodotoxin and glutamate/GABA receptor antagonists, indicating its direct action on PVN neurons. Similar inhibitory effects on PVN oxytocin and vasopressin neurons were produced by the RXFP3 agonist, RXFP3-A2 (82%, 80/98 cells). In situ hybridization histochemistry revealed a strong colocalization of RXFP3 mRNA with oxytocin and vasopressin immunoreactivity in rat PVN neurons. A smaller percentage of putative parvocellular PVN neurons was sensitive to RXFP3-A2 (40%, 16/40 cells). These data, along with a demonstration of abundant peri-PVN and sparse intra-PVN relaxin-3-immunoreactive nerve fibres, originating from the nucleus incertus, the major source of relaxin-3 neurons, identify a strong inhibitory influence of relaxin-3-RXFP3 signalling on the electrical activity of PVN oxytocin and vasopressin neurons, consistent with the orexigenic effect of RXFP3 activation observed in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan Kania
- Department of Neurophysiology and Chronobiology, Institute of Zoology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387, Krakow, Poland
| | - Anna Gugula
- Department of Neurophysiology and Chronobiology, Institute of Zoology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387, Krakow, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Grabowiecka
- Department of Neurophysiology and Chronobiology, Institute of Zoology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387, Krakow, Poland
| | - Camila de Ávila
- Faculté de Médecine, Département de Psychiatrie et de Neurosciences, Centre de Recherche de l'Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada, G1V 0A6
| | - Tomasz Blasiak
- Department of Neurophysiology and Chronobiology, Institute of Zoology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387, Krakow, Poland
| | - Zenon Rajfur
- Faculty of Physics, Astronomy and Applied Computer Science, Institute of Physics, Jagiellonian University, 30-348, Krakow, Poland
| | - Marian H Lewandowski
- Department of Neurophysiology and Chronobiology, Institute of Zoology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387, Krakow, Poland
| | - Grzegorz Hess
- Department of Neurophysiology and Chronobiology, Institute of Zoology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387, Krakow, Poland.,Institute of Pharmacology, Polish Academy of Sciences, 31-343, Krakow, Poland
| | - Elena Timofeeva
- Faculté de Médecine, Département de Psychiatrie et de Neurosciences, Centre de Recherche de l'Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada, G1V 0A6
| | - Andrew L Gundlach
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia.,Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, VIC, 3010, Australia.,Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, The University of Melbourne, VIC, 3010, Australia
| | - Anna Blasiak
- Department of Neurophysiology and Chronobiology, Institute of Zoology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387, Krakow, Poland
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Haidar M, Guèvremont G, Zhang C, Bathgate RAD, Timofeeva E, Smith CM, Gundlach AL. Relaxin-3 inputs target hippocampal interneurons and deletion of hilar relaxin-3 receptors in "floxed-RXFP3" mice impairs spatial memory. Hippocampus 2017; 27:529-546. [PMID: 28100033 DOI: 10.1002/hipo.22709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2016] [Revised: 01/10/2017] [Accepted: 01/12/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Hippocampus is innervated by γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) "projection" neurons of the nucleus incertus (NI), including a population expressing the neuropeptide, relaxin-3 (RLN3). In studies aimed at gaining an understanding of the role of RLN3 signaling in hippocampus via its Gi/o -protein-coupled receptor, RXFP3, we examined the distribution of RLN3-immunoreactive nerve fibres and RXFP3 mRNA-positive neurons in relation to hippocampal GABA neuron populations. RLN3-positive elements were detected in close-apposition with a substantial population of somatostatin (SST)- and GABA-immunoreactive neurons, and a smaller population of parvalbumin- and calretinin-immunoreactive neurons in different hippocampal areas, consistent with the relative distribution patterns of RXFP3 mRNA and these marker transcripts. In light of the functional importance of the dentate gyrus (DG) hilus in learning and memory, and our anatomical data, we examined the possible influence of RLN3/RXFP3 signaling in this region on spatial memory. Using viral-based Cre/LoxP recombination methods and adult mice with a floxed Rxfp3 gene, we deleted Rxfp3 from DG hilar neurons and assessed spatial memory performance and affective behaviors. Following infusions of an AAV(1/2) -Cre-IRES-eGFP vector, Cre expression was observed in DG hilar neurons, including SST-positive cells, and in situ hybridization histochemistry for RXFP3 mRNA confirmed receptor depletion relative to levels in floxed-RXFP3 mice infused with an AAV(1/2) -eGFP (control) vector. RXFP3 depletion within the DG hilus impaired spatial reference memory in an appetitive T-maze task reflected by a reduced percentage of correct choices and increased time to meet criteria, relative to control. In a continuous spontaneous alternation Y-maze task, RXFP3-depleted mice made fewer alternations in the first minute, suggesting impairment of spatial working memory. However, RXFP3-depleted and control mice displayed similar locomotor activity, anxiety-like behavior in light/dark box and elevated-plus maze tests, and learning and long-term memory retention in the Morris water maze. These data indicate endogenous RLN3/RXFP3 signaling can modulate hippocampal-dependent spatial reference and working memory via effects on SST interneurons, and further our knowledge of hippocampal cognitive processing. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Haidar
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - G Guèvremont
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, Laval University, Quebec, Canada
| | - C Zhang
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - R A D Bathgate
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - E Timofeeva
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, Laval University, Quebec, Canada
| | - C M Smith
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,School of Medicine, Deakin University, Victoria, Australia
| | - A L Gundlach
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Ma S, Smith CM, Blasiak A, Gundlach AL. Distribution, physiology and pharmacology of relaxin-3/RXFP3 systems in brain. Br J Pharmacol 2016; 174:1034-1048. [PMID: 27774604 DOI: 10.1111/bph.13659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2016] [Revised: 10/12/2016] [Accepted: 10/17/2016] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Relaxin-3 is a member of a superfamily of structurally-related peptides that includes relaxin and insulin-like peptide hormones. Soon after the discovery of the relaxin-3 gene, relaxin-3 was identified as an abundant neuropeptide in brain with a distinctive topographical distribution within a small number of GABAergic neuron populations that is well conserved across species. Relaxin-3 is thought to exert its biological actions through a single class-A GPCR - relaxin-family peptide receptor 3 (RXFP3). Class-A comprises GPCRs for relaxin-3 and insulin-like peptide-5 and other peptides such as orexin and the monoamine transmitters. The RXFP3 receptor is selectively activated by relaxin-3, whereas insulin-like peptide-5 is the cognate ligand for the related RXFP4 receptor. Anatomical and pharmacological evidence obtained over the last decade supports a function of relaxin-3/RXFP3 systems in modulating responses to stress, anxiety-related and motivated behaviours, circadian rhythms, and learning and memory. Electrophysiological studies have identified the ability of RXFP3 agonists to directly hyperpolarise thalamic neurons in vitro, but there are no reports of direct cell signalling effects in vivo. This article provides an overview of earlier studies and highlights more recent research that implicates relaxin-3/RXFP3 neural network signalling in the integration of arousal, motivation, emotion and related cognition, and that has begun to identify the associated neural substrates and mechanisms. Future research directions to better elucidate the connectivity and function of different relaxin-3 neuron populations and their RXFP3-positive target neurons in major experimental species and humans are also identified. LINKED ARTICLES This article is part of a themed section on Recent Progress in the Understanding of Relaxin Family Peptides and their Receptors. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v174.10/issuetoc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sherie Ma
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Craig M Smith
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,School of Medicine, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
| | - Anna Blasiak
- Department of Neurophysiology and Chronobiology, Institute of Zoology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Andrew L Gundlach
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Stress differentially regulates brain expression of corticotropin-releasing factor in binge-like eating prone and resistant female rats. Appetite 2016; 107:585-595. [DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2016.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2016] [Revised: 09/06/2016] [Accepted: 09/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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Calvez J, de Ávila C, Guèvremont G, Timofeeva E. Sex-Specific Effects of Chronic Administration of Relaxin-3 on Food Intake, Body Weight and the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Gonadal Axis in Rats. J Neuroendocrinol 2016; 28. [PMID: 27791297 DOI: 10.1111/jne.12439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [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: 01/12/2016] [Revised: 09/23/2016] [Accepted: 10/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The present study examined the effects of chronic central administration of relaxin-3 (RLN3) on food intake, body weight and fat mass in intact and sterilised male and female rats, as well as on hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis activity in intact male and female rats that received i.c.v. infusions of RLN3 (400 pmol/day) or vehicle during a 14-day period. The intact RLN3-injected rats displayed a higher body weight than the vehicle-treated groups, and this increase was statistically significantly stronger in female rats compared to male rats. In addition, feed efficiency and gonadal white adipose tissue weight were higher in female RLN3-injected rats. Chronic i.c.v. administration of RLN3 activated the HPG axis in intact male rats, whereas inhibition of the HPG axis was observed in intact female rats. RLN3 significantly increased the plasma levels of luteinising hormone and follicular-stimulating hormone in male rats but not in female rats. Conversely, hypothalamic expression of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone mRNA was decreased by RLN3 in female rats but not in male rats. In addition, the plasma levels of oestradiol were significantly decreased by RLN3 administration in female rats. Consequently, intact RLN3-injected female rats failed to display phasic inhibition of eating during oestrus. Sex-specific effects of RLN3 on food intake and body weight were also observed in ovariectomised female and orchidectomised male rats, suggesting that the sex-specific effects of RLN3 on energy metabolism are independent on the differential effects of RLN3 on HPG axis activity in male and female rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Calvez
- Faculté de Médecine, Département de Psychiatrie et de Neurosciences, Centre de recherche de l'Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - C de Ávila
- Faculté de Médecine, Département de Psychiatrie et de Neurosciences, Centre de recherche de l'Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - G Guèvremont
- Faculté de Médecine, Département de Psychiatrie et de Neurosciences, Centre de recherche de l'Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - E Timofeeva
- Faculté de Médecine, Département de Psychiatrie et de Neurosciences, Centre de recherche de l'Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
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Kumar JR, Rajkumar R, Jayakody T, Marwari S, Hong JM, Ma S, Gundlach AL, Lai MKP, Dawe GS. Relaxin' the brain: a case for targeting the nucleus incertus network and relaxin-3/RXFP3 system in neuropsychiatric disorders. Br J Pharmacol 2016; 174:1061-1076. [PMID: 27597467 PMCID: PMC5406295 DOI: 10.1111/bph.13564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2016] [Accepted: 07/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Relaxin‐3 has been proposed to modulate emotional–behavioural functions such as arousal and behavioural activation, appetite regulation, stress responses, anxiety, memory, sleep and circadian rhythm. The nucleus incertus (NI), in the midline tegmentum close to the fourth ventricle, projects widely throughout the brain and is the primary site of relaxin‐3 neurons. Over recent years, a number of preclinical studies have explored the function of the NI and relaxin‐3 signalling, including reports of mRNA or peptide expression changes in the NI in response to behavioural or pharmacological manipulations, effects of lesions or electrical or pharmacological manipulations of the NI, effects of central microinfusions of relaxin‐3 or related agonist or antagonist ligands on physiology and behaviour, and the impact of relaxin‐3 gene deletion or knockdown. Although these individual studies reveal facets of the likely functional relevance of the NI and relaxin‐3 systems for human physiology and behaviour, the differences observed in responses between species (e.g. rat vs. mouse), the clearly identified heterogeneity of NI neurons and procedural differences between laboratories are some of the factors that have prevented a precise understanding of their function. This review aims to draw attention to the current preclinical evidence available that suggests the relevance of the NI/relaxin‐3 system to the pathology and/or symptoms of certain neuropsychiatric disorders and to provide cognizant directions for future research to effectively and efficiently uncover its therapeutic potential. Linked Articles This article is part of a themed section on Recent Progress in the Understanding of Relaxin Family Peptides and their Receptors. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v174.10/issuetoc
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Affiliation(s)
- Jigna Rajesh Kumar
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore.,Neurobiology and Ageing Programme, Life Sciences Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore.,Singapore Institute for Neurotechnology (SINAPSE), Singapore.,NUS Graduate School for Integrative Sciences and Engineering (NGS), National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Ramamoorthy Rajkumar
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore.,Neurobiology and Ageing Programme, Life Sciences Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore.,Singapore Institute for Neurotechnology (SINAPSE), Singapore
| | - Tharindunee Jayakody
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore.,Neurobiology and Ageing Programme, Life Sciences Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore.,Singapore Institute for Neurotechnology (SINAPSE), Singapore
| | - Subhi Marwari
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore.,Neurobiology and Ageing Programme, Life Sciences Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore.,Singapore Institute for Neurotechnology (SINAPSE), Singapore
| | - Jia Mei Hong
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore.,Neurobiology and Ageing Programme, Life Sciences Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore.,Singapore Institute for Neurotechnology (SINAPSE), Singapore.,NUS Graduate School for Integrative Sciences and Engineering (NGS), National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Sherie Ma
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Andrew L Gundlach
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Mitchell K P Lai
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Gavin S Dawe
- Department of Pharmacology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore.,Neurobiology and Ageing Programme, Life Sciences Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore.,Singapore Institute for Neurotechnology (SINAPSE), Singapore.,NUS Graduate School for Integrative Sciences and Engineering (NGS), National University of Singapore, Singapore
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Calvez J, de Ávila C, Timofeeva E. Sex-specific effects of relaxin-3 on food intake and body weight gain. Br J Pharmacol 2016; 174:1049-1060. [PMID: 27245781 DOI: 10.1111/bph.13530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2016] [Revised: 05/16/2016] [Accepted: 05/19/2016] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Relaxin-3 (RLN3) is a neuropeptide that is strongly expressed in the pontine nucleus incertus (NI) and binds with high affinity to its cognate receptor RXFP3. Central administration of RLN3 in rats increases food intake and adiposity. In humans, RLN3 polymorphism has been associated with obesity and hypercholesterolaemia. Emerging evidence suggests that the effects of RLN3 may have sex-specific aspects. Thus, the RLN3 knockout female but not male mice are hypoactive. RLN3 produced stronger orexigenic and obesogenic effects in female rats compared with male rats. In addition, female rats demonstrated higher sensitivity to lower doses of RLN3. Repeated cycles of food restriction and stress were accompanied by an increase in RLN3 expression and hyperphagia in female but not in male rats. Furthermore, stress-induced binge eating in female rats was blocked by an RXFP3 receptor antagonist. RLN3 increased the expression of corticotropin releasing factor in the paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus in male but not in female rats. Conversely, in female rats, RLN3 increased the expression of orexin in the lateral hypothalamus. There is evidence that orexin directly activates the RLN3 neurons in the NI. The positive reinforcement of the RLN3 effects by orexin may intensify behavioural activation and feeding in females. Sex-specific effects of RLN3 may also depend on differential expression of RXFP3 receptors in the brain. Given the higher sensitivity of females to the orexigenic effects of RLN3 and the stress-induced activation of RLN3, the overall data suggest a possible role for RLN3 in eating disorders that show a higher propensity in women. LINKED ARTICLES This article is part of a themed section on Recent Progress in the Understanding of Relaxin Family Peptides and their Receptors. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v174.10/issuetoc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliane Calvez
- Faculté de Médecine, Département de Psychiatrie et de Neurosciences, Centre de recherche de l'Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Camila de Ávila
- Faculté de Médecine, Département de Psychiatrie et de Neurosciences, Centre de recherche de l'Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Elena Timofeeva
- Faculté de Médecine, Département de Psychiatrie et de Neurosciences, Centre de recherche de l'Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
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45
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Santos FN, Pereira CW, Sánchez-Pérez AM, Otero-García M, Ma S, Gundlach AL, Olucha-Bordonau FE. Comparative Distribution of Relaxin-3 Inputs and Calcium-Binding Protein-Positive Neurons in Rat Amygdala. Front Neuroanat 2016; 10:36. [PMID: 27092060 PMCID: PMC4823275 DOI: 10.3389/fnana.2016.00036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2015] [Accepted: 03/17/2016] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The neural circuits involved in mediating complex behaviors are being rapidly elucidated using various newly developed and powerful anatomical and molecular techniques, providing insights into the neural basis for anxiety disorders, depression, addiction, and dysfunctional social behaviors. Many of these behaviors and associated physiological processes involve the activation of the amygdala in conjunction with cortical and hippocampal circuits. Ascending subcortical projections provide modulatory inputs to the extended amygdala and its related nodes (or "hubs") within these key circuits. One such input arises from the nucleus incertus (NI) in the tegmentum, which sends amino acid- and peptide-containing projections throughout the forebrain. Notably, a distinct population of GABAergic NI neurons expresses the highly-conserved neuropeptide, relaxin-3, and relaxin-3 signaling has been implicated in the modulation of reward/motivation and anxiety- and depressive-like behaviors in rodents via actions within the extended amygdala. Thus, a detailed description of the relaxin-3 innervation of the extended amygdala would provide an anatomical framework for an improved understanding of NI and relaxin-3 modulation of these and other specific amygdala-related functions. Therefore, in this study, we examined the distribution of NI projections and relaxin-3-positive elements (axons/fibers/terminals) within the amygdala, relative to the distribution of neurons expressing the calcium-binding proteins, parvalbumin (PV), calretinin (CR) and/or calbindin. Anterograde tracer injections into the NI revealed a topographic distribution of NI efferents within the amygdala that was near identical to the distribution of relaxin-3-immunoreactive fibers. Highest densities of anterogradely-labeled elements and relaxin-3-immunoreactive fibers were observed in the medial nucleus of the amygdala, medial divisions of the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BST) and in the endopiriform nucleus. In contrast, sparse anterogradely-labeled and relaxin-3-immunoreactive fibers were observed in other amygdala nuclei, including the lateral, central and basal nuclei, while the nucleus accumbens lacked any innervation. Using synaptophysin as a synaptic marker, we identified relaxin-3 positive synaptic terminals in the medial amygdala, BST and endopiriform nucleus of amygdala. Our findings demonstrate the existence of topographic NI and relaxin-3-containing projections to specific nuclei of the extended amygdala, consistent with a likely role for this putative integrative arousal system in the regulation of amygdala-dependent social and emotional behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio N Santos
- Departamento de Anatomía y Embriología Humana, Facultad de Medicina, Universitat ValenciaValencia, Spain; Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade TiradentesAracaju, Brazil
| | - Celia W Pereira
- Departamento de Anatomía y Embriología Humana, Facultad de Medicina, Universitat ValenciaValencia, Spain; Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade TiradentesAracaju, Brazil
| | | | - Marcos Otero-García
- Departamento de Anatomía y Embriología Humana, Facultad de Medicina, Universitat Valencia Valencia, Spain
| | - Sherie Ma
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Andrew L Gundlach
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental HealthParkville, VIC, Australia; Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health and Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, The University of MelbourneMelbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Francisco E Olucha-Bordonau
- Departamento de Anatomía y Embriología Humana, Facultad de Medicina, Universitat ValenciaValencia, Spain; Unitat Predepartamental de Medicina, Universitat Jaume ICastellón, Spain
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46
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Calvez J, de Ávila C, Matte LO, Guèvremont G, Gundlach AL, Timofeeva E. Role of relaxin-3/RXFP3 system in stress-induced binge-like eating in female rats. Neuropharmacology 2015; 102:207-15. [PMID: 26607097 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2015.11.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2015] [Revised: 11/04/2015] [Accepted: 11/13/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Binge eating is frequently stimulated by stress. The neuropeptide relaxin-3 (RLN3) and its native receptor RXFP3 are implicated in stress and appetitive behaviors. We investigated the dynamics of the central RLN3/RXFP3 system in a newly established model of stress-induced binge eating. Female Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to unpredictable intermittent 1-h access to 10% sucrose. When sucrose intake stabilized, rats were assessed for consistency of higher or lower sucrose intake in response to three unpredictable episodes of foot-shock stress; and assigned as binge-like eating prone (BEP) or binge-like eating resistant (BER). BEP rats displayed elevated consumption of sucrose under non-stressful conditions (30% > BER) and an additional marked increase in sucrose intake (60% > BER) in response to stress. Conversely, sucrose intake in BER rats was unaltered by stress. Chow intake was similar in both phenotypes on 'non-stress' days, but was significantly reduced by stress in BER, but not BEP, rats. After stress, BEP, but not BER, rats displayed a significant increase in RLN3 mRNA levels in the nucleus incertus. In addition, in response to stress, BEP, but not BER, rats had increased RXFP3 mRNA levels in the paraventricular and supraoptic nuclei of the hypothalamus. Intracerebroventricular administration of a selective RXFP3 antagonist, R3(B1-22)R, blocked the stress-induced increase in sucrose intake in BEP rats and had no effect on sucrose intake in BER rats. These results provide important evidence for a role of the central RLN3/RXFP3 system in the regulation of stress-induced binge eating in rats, and have therapeutic implications for eating disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juliane Calvez
- Faculté de Médecine, Département de Psychiatrie et de Neurosciences, Centre de recherche de l'Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec, Université Laval, Québec, QC, G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Camila de Ávila
- Faculté de Médecine, Département de Psychiatrie et de Neurosciences, Centre de recherche de l'Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec, Université Laval, Québec, QC, G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Louis-Olivier Matte
- Faculté de Médecine, Département de Psychiatrie et de Neurosciences, Centre de recherche de l'Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec, Université Laval, Québec, QC, G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Geneviève Guèvremont
- Faculté de Médecine, Département de Psychiatrie et de Neurosciences, Centre de recherche de l'Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec, Université Laval, Québec, QC, G1V 0A6, Canada
| | - Andrew L Gundlach
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia; Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health and Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Elena Timofeeva
- Faculté de Médecine, Département de Psychiatrie et de Neurosciences, Centre de recherche de l'Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec, Université Laval, Québec, QC, G1V 0A6, Canada.
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47
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Calvez J, Lenglos C, de Ávila C, Guèvremont G, Timofeeva E. Differential effects of central administration of relaxin-3 on food intake and hypothalamic neuropeptides in male and female rats. GENES BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR 2015; 14:550-63. [DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2015] [Revised: 07/25/2015] [Accepted: 07/26/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- J. Calvez
- Faculté de Médecine, Département de Psychiatrie et de Neurosciences, Centre de recherche de l'Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec; Université Laval; Québec (QC) Canada
| | - C. Lenglos
- Faculté de Médecine, Département de Psychiatrie et de Neurosciences, Centre de recherche de l'Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec; Université Laval; Québec (QC) Canada
| | - C. de Ávila
- Faculté de Médecine, Département de Psychiatrie et de Neurosciences, Centre de recherche de l'Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec; Université Laval; Québec (QC) Canada
| | - G. Guèvremont
- Faculté de Médecine, Département de Psychiatrie et de Neurosciences, Centre de recherche de l'Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec; Université Laval; Québec (QC) Canada
| | - E. Timofeeva
- Faculté de Médecine, Département de Psychiatrie et de Neurosciences, Centre de recherche de l'Institut universitaire de cardiologie et de pneumologie de Québec; Université Laval; Québec (QC) Canada
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48
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Blasiak A, Siwiec M, Grabowiecka A, Blasiak T, Czerw A, Blasiak E, Kania A, Rajfur Z, Lewandowski MH, Gundlach AL. Excitatory orexinergic innervation of rat nucleus incertus--Implications for ascending arousal, motivation and feeding control. Neuropharmacology 2015; 99:432-47. [PMID: 26265304 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2015.08.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2015] [Revised: 07/17/2015] [Accepted: 08/07/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Orexin/hypocretin peptides play a central role in the integrated control of feeding/reward and behavioural activation, principally via interactions with other neural systems. A brainstem area involved in behavioural activation is the nucleus incertus (NI), located in the posterior ventromedial central grey. Several studies have implicated NI in control of arousal/stress and reward/feeding responses. Orexin receptor mRNA expression identifies NI as a putative target of orexin modulation. Therefore, in this study we performed neural tract-tracing and immunofluorescence staining to characterise the orexinergic innervation of NI. Our results indicate a convergent innervation of the NI area by different orexin neuron populations, with an abundance of orexin-A-containing axons making putative synaptic contacts with relaxin-3-positive NI neurons. The influence of orexin-A on NI neuron activity was investigated using patch-clamp recordings. Orexin-A depolarised the majority (64%) of recorded neurons and this effect was maintained in the presence of tetrodotoxin and glutamate and GABA receptor antagonists, indicating a likely postsynaptic action. Voltage-clamp experiments revealed that in 'type I' NI neurons comprising relaxin-3-positive cells, orexin-A acted via L-type calcium channels, whereas in 'type II' relaxin-3-negative neurons, activation of a sodium/calcium exchanger was involved. A majority of the orexin-A sensitive neurons tested for the presence of orexin receptor mRNA, were OX2 mRNA-positive. Immunohistochemical staining for putative orexin receptors on NI neurons, confirmed stronger expression of OX2 than OX1 receptors. Our data demonstrate a strong influence of orexin-A on NI neurons, consistent with an important role for this hypothalamic/tegmental circuit in the regulation of arousal/vigilance and motivated behaviours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Blasiak
- Department of Neurophysiology and Chronobiology, Institute of Zoology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Krakow, Poland.
| | - Marcin Siwiec
- Department of Neurophysiology and Chronobiology, Institute of Zoology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Krakow, Poland
| | - Agnieszka Grabowiecka
- Department of Neurophysiology and Chronobiology, Institute of Zoology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Krakow, Poland
| | - Tomasz Blasiak
- Department of Neurophysiology and Chronobiology, Institute of Zoology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Krakow, Poland
| | - Anna Czerw
- Department of Neurophysiology and Chronobiology, Institute of Zoology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Krakow, Poland
| | - Ewa Blasiak
- Department of Physical Biochemistry, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Krakow, Poland
| | - Alan Kania
- Department of Neurophysiology and Chronobiology, Institute of Zoology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Krakow, Poland
| | - Zenon Rajfur
- Faculty of Physics, Astronomy and Applied Computer Science, Institute of Physics, Jagiellonian University, 30-348 Krakow, Poland
| | - Marian H Lewandowski
- Department of Neurophysiology and Chronobiology, Institute of Zoology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Krakow, Poland
| | - Andrew L Gundlach
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia; Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia; Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, The University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Australia.
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Ma S, Gundlach AL. Ascending control of arousal and motivation: role of nucleus incertus and its peptide neuromodulators in behavioural responses to stress. J Neuroendocrinol 2015; 27:457-67. [PMID: 25612218 DOI: 10.1111/jne.12259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2014] [Revised: 01/12/2015] [Accepted: 01/15/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Arousal is a process that involves the activation of ascending neural pathways originating in the rostral pons that project to the forebrain through the midbrain reticular formation to promote the activation of key cortical, thalamic, hypothalamic and limbic centres. Established modulators of arousal include the cholinergic, serotonergic, noradrenergic and dopaminergic networks originating in the pons and midbrain. Recent data indicate that a population of largely GABAergic projection neurones located in the nucleus incertus (NI) are also involved in arousal and motivational processes. The NI has prominent efferent connections with distinct hypothalamic, amygdalar and thalamic nuclei, in addition to dense projections to key brain regions associated with the generation and pacing of hippocampal activity. The NI receives strong inputs from the prefrontal cortex, lateral habenula and the interpeduncular and median raphe nuclei, suggesting it is highly integrated in circuits regulating higher cognitive behaviours (hippocampal theta rhythm) and emotion. Anatomical and functional studies have revealed that the NI is a rich source of multiple peptide neuromodulators, including relaxin-3, and may mediate extra-hypothalamic effects of the stress hormone corticotrophin-releasing factor, as well as other key modulators such as orexins and oxytocin. This review provides an overview of earlier studies and highlights more recent research that implicates this neural network in the integration of arousal and motivated behaviours and has begun to identify the associated mechanisms. Future research that should help to better clarify the connectivity and function of the NI in major experimental species and humans is also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Ma
- Neuropeptides Division, The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - A L Gundlach
- Neuropeptides Division, The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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Lenglos C, Calvez J, Timofeeva E. Sex-specific effects of relaxin-3 on food intake and brain expression of corticotropin-releasing factor in rats. Endocrinology 2015; 156:523-33. [PMID: 25406021 DOI: 10.1210/en.2014-1743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
This study compared the effects of relaxin-3 (RLN3) on food intake, plasma corticosterone, and the expression of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) in male and female rats. RLN3 was injected into the lateral ventricle at 25, 200, and 800 pmol concentrations. RLN3 at 25 pmol increased food intake (grams) at 30 and 60 minutes after injection in female but not male rats. Female rats also showed higher increase in relative to body weight (BW) food intake (mg/g BW) for all RLN3 concentrations at 30 minutes and for 800 pmol of RLN3 at 60 minutes. Moreover, RLN3 at 800 pmol significantly increased 24-hour BW gain in female but not male rats. At 60 minutes after administration, 800 pmol of RLN3 produced a significant increase in plasma corticosterone and in the expression of CRF and c-fos mRNAs in the parvocellular paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus (PVN) in male but not female rats. The levels of c-fos mRNA in the magnocellular PVN were increased by RLN3 but did not differ between the sexes. Conversely, expression of CRF mRNA in the medial preoptic area was increased in female rats but was not sensitive to 800 pmol of RLN3. In the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, 800 pmol of RLN3 significantly increased CRF mRNA expression in female but not male rats. Therefore, female rats showed more sensitivity and stronger food intake increase in response to RLN3. The differential effects of RLN3 on CRF expression in the PVN and bed nucleus of the stria terminalis may contribute to the sex-specific difference in the behavioral response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christophe Lenglos
- Faculté de Médecine, Département de Psychiatrie et de Neurosciences, Centre de Recherche de l'Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec, Université Laval, Québec, Canada G1V 0A6
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