Modified activity-stress paradigm in an animal model of the female athlete triad

Exercise training modifies the bone and endocrine response to graded reductions in energy availability in skeletally mature female rodents

Introduction

Reductions in energy availability leading to weight loss can induce loss of bone and impact important endocrine regulators of bone integrity. We sought to elucidate whether endurance exercise (EX) can mitigate bone loss observed in sedentary (SED) skeletally mature rodents subjected to graded energy deficits.

Methods

Female virgin rats (n=84, 5-mo-old; 12/group) were randomized to baseline controls and either sedentary (SED) or exercise (EX) conditions, and within each exercise status to adlib-fed (ADLIB), or moderate (MOD) or severe (SEV) energy restriction diets for 12 weeks. Rats assigned to EX groups performed treadmill running to increase weekly energy expenditure by 10%. MOD-ER-SED, SEV-ER-SED, MOD-ER-EX and SEV-ER-EX were fed modified AIN93M diets with 20%, 40% 10%, and 30% less energy content, respectively, with 100% of all other nutrients provided.

Results

Energy availability (EA) was effectively reduced by ~14% and ~30% in the MOD-ER and SEV-ER groups, respectively. MOD-ER for 12 weeks resulted in few negative impacts on bone and, except for serum leptin in MOD-ER-SED rats, no significant changes in endocrine factors. By contrast, SEV-ER in SED rats resulted in significantly lower total body and femoral neck bone mass, and reduced serum estradiol, IGF-1 and leptin. EX rats experiencing the same reduction in energy availability as SEV-ER-SED exhibited higher total body mass, lean mass, total BMC, and higher serum IGF-1 at the end of 12 weeks. Bone mechanical properties at 3 bone sites (mid-femur, distal femur, femoral neck) were minimally impacted by ER but positively affected by EX.

Discussion

These findings indicate that combining increased EX energy expenditure with smaller reductions in energy intake to achieve a targeted reduction in EA provides some protection against loss of bone mass and lean mass in skeletally mature female rats, likely due to better preservation of circulating IGF-1, and that bone mechanical integrity is not significantly degraded with either moderate or severe reduced EA.

Running exercise and food restriction affect bone chemical properties in young female rats

PURPOSE

To investigate the effects of a combination of running and food restriction on the chemical properties of the bone in young female rats using Raman spectroscopy. Furthermore, we investigated whether the chemical property parameters correlated with the bone-breaking strength.

METHODS

Female Sprague-Dawley rats (7 weeks old) were randomly divided into four groups: sedentary and ad libitum feeding (SED, n = 8), voluntary running exercise and ad libitum feeding (EX, n = 8), sedentary and 30% food-restricted (SED-FR, n = 8), and voluntary running exercise and 30% food-restricted (EXFR, n = 8). The experiment was conducted for a period of 12 weeks. Four parameters measured by Raman spectroscopy were used to evaluate the bone chemical quality.

RESULTS

Exercise and restriction had significant interactions on the mineral to matrix ratio. The mineral- to-matrix ratio in the SED-FR group was significantly higher than that in the SED group and significantly lower in the EX-FR group than that in the SED-FR group. Running exercise had significant effects on increasing the crystallinity and carbonate-to-phosphate ratio. In the ad libitum intake condition, there were significant positive correlations between breaking energy and crystallinity (r = 0.593) and between breaking energy and carbonate-to-phosphate ratio (r = 0.854).

CONCLUSION

Our findings show that running exercise and food restriction, alone or in combination, affect the chemical properties of bone. Furthermore, under ad libitum intake conditions, positive correlations were found between the breaking energy and crystallinity, or carbonate-to-phosphate ratio.

A low-intensity lifelong exercise routine changes miRNA expression in aging and prevents osteosarcopenic obesity by modulating inflammation

Osteosarcopenic obesity (OSO) has been associated with increase immobility, falls, fractures, and other dysfunctions, which could increase mortality risk during aging. However, its etiology remains unknown. Recent studies revealed that sedentarism, fat gain, and epigenetic regulators are critical in its development. One effective intervention to prevent and treat OSO is exercise. Therefore, in the present study, by keeping rats in conditions of sedentarism and others under a low-intensity exercise routine, we established an experimental model of OSO. We determined the degree of sarcopenia, obesity, and osteopenia at different ages and analyzed the miRNA expression during the lifespan using miRNA microarrays from gastrocnemius muscle. Interestingly microarrays results showed that there is a set of miRNAs that changed their expression with exercise. The pathway enrichment analysis showed that these miRNAs are strongly associated with immune regulation. Further inflammatory profiles with IL-6/IL-10 and TNF-α/IL-10 ratios showed that exercised rats presented a lower pro-inflammatory profile than sedentary rats. Also, the body fat gain in the sedentary group increased the inflammatory profile, ultimately leading to muscle dysfunction. Exercise prevented strength loss over time and maintained skeletal muscle functionality over time. Differential expression of miRNAs suggests that they might participate in this process by regulating the inflammatory response associated with aging, thus preventing the development of OSO.

Female Athlete Triad and Male Athlete Triad Syndrome Induced by Low Energy Availability: An Animal Model

Energy availability (EA) is defined the difference in energy intake and exercise energy expenditure. Reduction of EA (i.e. Low energy availability, LEA) often causes abnormalities of reproduction system and drastic bone loss in some female athletes, the phenomenon is called as female athlete triad. More than ever before, it is considered a serious problem, the reason of these are (1) the syndrome occurred in female athletes but also male athletes, (2) LEA is leads to dysfunction of various organs other than reproductive system (Relative energy deficiency in sport, RED-S). On the other hand, we have focused on this syndrome and have proposed novel insights into the physiological effects of LEA on bone and solutions through nutritional treatment by recreating it in animal models. In this review, we will summarize the epidemiological and physiological perspectives of these diseases from historical background to recent findings, and introduce the usefulness of using animal models to explore mechanisms and treatments.

Does Physical Exercise Always Improve Bone Quality in Rats?

For decades, the osteogenic effect from different physical activities on bone in rodents remained uncertain. This literature review presents for the first time the effects on five exercise models (treadmill running, wheel running, swimming, resistance training and vibration modes) in three different experimental rat groups (males, females, osteopenic) on bone quality. The bone parameters presented are bone mineral density, micro-architectural and mechanical properties, and osteoblast/osteocyte and osteoclast parameters. This review shows that physical activities have a positive effect (65% of the results) on bone status, but we clearly observed a difference amongst the different protocols. Even if treadmill running is the most used protocol, the resistance training constitutes the first exercise model in term of osteogenic effects (87% of the whole results obtained on this model). The less osteogenic model is the vibration mode procedure (31%). It clearly appears that the gender plays a role on the bone response to swimming and wheel running exercises. Besides, we did not observe negative results in the osteopenic population with impact training, wheel running and vibration activities. Moreover, about osteoblast/osteocyte parameters, we conclude that high impact and resistance exercise (such jumps and tower climbing) seems to increase bone formation more than running or aerobic exercise. Among the different protocols, literature has shown that the treadmill running procedure mainly induces osteogenic effects on the viability of the osteocyte lineage in both males and females or ovariectomized rats; running in voluntary wheels contributes to a negative effect on bone metabolism in older male models; whole-body vertical vibration is not an osteogenic exercise in female and ovariectomized rats; whereas swimming provides controversial results in female models. For osteoclast parameters only, running in a voluntary wheel for old males, the treadmill running program at high intensity in ovariectomized rats, and the swimming program in a specific ovariectomy condition have detrimental consequences.

Jump Exercise and Food Restriction on Bone Parameters in Young Female Rats

We examined the effect of jump exercise on bone parameters in young female rats under food restriction. Seven-week-old female rats were divided into four groups: a sedentary and ad libitum feeding group (n = 10), a jump exercise and ad libitum feeding group (n = 9), a sedentary and 30% food restriction group (n = 9), and a jump exercise and 30% food restriction group (n = 10). The jump groups jumped 20 times/day, 5 times/week. The experiment lasted for 13 weeks. There were no interactions of jump exercise and food restriction on bone. Jump exercise under food restriction conditions induced higher bone strength, bone mineral content, bone area, bone mineral density (BMD), and cortical bone volume in young female rats, similar to rats under ad libitum feeding conditions. Bone strength parameters were not significantly different between ad libitum intake and food restriction with jump exercise training; however, BMD, bone size, and bone mass in the food restriction groups did not reach the levels of those in the ad libitum conditions group with jump exercise training. Neither jump exercise nor food restriction had a significant effect on serum estradiol or IGF-1. Our study reveals jump exercise attenuates loss of biomechanical properties and some bone sites with food restriction in young female rats.

Anti-Osteoporotic Effect of Soy Isoflavones Intake on Low Bone Mineral Density Caused by Voluntary Exercise and Food Restriction in Mature Female Rats

Female athlete triad (FAT) is an interrelationship between menstrual dysfunction, low energy availability with or without eating disorder, and decreased bone mineral density (BMD) in female athletes. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether isoflavone intake can prevent bone loss caused by voluntary wheel running under energy-restricted condition. We used a female rat model of osteoporosis for female athletes established previously. Fourteen female Sprague-Dawley rats (8-wk old) were fed ad libitum and had free access to wheels throughout the study. At 18 wk of age, the rats were divided randomly into the following groups: 1) running control (RC), 2) running energy restriction (RR), and 3) running energy restriction and isoflavone-fed (RR+Iso) groups. The RR group was 30% dietary restricted. The RR+Iso group was 30% dietary restricted and fed the diet containing 0.5% isoflavone powder (Fujiflavone P40). The experimental period lasted 31 wk. At the end of this experiment, BMD of the proximal femur in the RR group was significantly lower than that in the RC group. However, the BMD in the RR+Iso group was not significantly different from that in the RC group. Moreover, the plasma estradiol (E2) level in the RR and RR+Iso groups was significantly lower than that in the RC group. These findings suggest that isoflavone intake inhibited bone loss when the E2 level was low in female mature rat model. Our findings may reveal the possible novel role of isoflavone in osteoporosis among female athletes.

Fat and Lean Mass Predict Bone Mass During Energy Restriction in Sedentary and Exercising Rodents

Energy restriction (ER) causes bone loss, but the impact of exercise during ER is less understood. In this study, we examined the impact of metabolic hormones and body composition on both total body bone mineral content (BMC) and local (proximal tibia) volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD) during short- (4 weeks) and long-term (12 weeks) ER with and without exercise in adult female rats. Our first goal was to balance energy between sedentary and exercising groups to determine the impact of exercise during ER. Second, we aimed to determine the strongest predictors of bone outcomes during ER with energy-matched exercising groups.

Methods: Female Sprague–Dawley rats were divided into three sedentary groups (ad libitum, –20% ER, and –40% ER) and three exercising groups (ad libitum, –10% ER, and –30% ER). Approximately a 10% increase in energy expenditure was achieved via moderate treadmill running (∼60–100 min 4 days/week) in EX groups. n per group = 25–35. Data were analyzed as a 2 × 3 ANOVA with multiple linear regression to predict bone mass outcomes.

Results: At 4 weeks, fat and lean mass and serum insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) predicted total body BMC (R² = 0.538). Fat mass decreased with ER at all levels, while lean mass was not altered. Serum IGF-I declined in the most severe ER groups (–40 and –30%). At 12 weeks, only fat and lean mass predicted total body BMC (R² = 0.718). Fat mass declined with ER level regardless of exercise status and lean mass increased due to exercise (+5.6–6.7% vs. energy-matched sedentary groups). At the same time point, BMC declined with ER, but increased with exercise (+7.0–12.5% vs. energy-matched sedentary groups). None of our models predicted vBMD at the proximal tibia at either time point.

Conclusion: Both fat and lean mass statistically predicted total body BMC during both short- and long-term ER. Fat and lean mass decreased with ER, while lean mass increased with EX at each energy level. Measures that predicted total body skeletal changes did not predict site-specific changes. These data highlight the importance of maintaining lean mass through exercise during periods of ER.

Low Energy Availability in Exercising Women: Historical Perspectives and Future Directions

Research on the health of female athletes has developed substantially over the past 50 years. This review aims to provide an overview of this research and identify directions for future work. While early cross-sectional studies focused primarily on menstruation, research has progressed to now encompass hormonal changes, bone health and lipid profiles. The seminal work of Loucks and colleagues distinguished that these health concerns were due to low energy availability (LEA) rather than exercise alone. LEA occurs when the body has insufficient energy available to meet the needs of training and normal physiological functioning. While there appears to be agreement that LEA is the underlying cause of this syndrome, controversy regarding terminology has emerged. Originally coined the female athlete triad (Triad), some researchers are now advocating the use of the term relative energy deficiency in sport (RED-S). This group argues that the term Triad excludes male athletes who also have the potential to experience LEA and its associated negative impact on health and performance. At present, implications of LEA among male athletes are poorly understood and should form the basis of future research. Other directions for future research include determination of the prevalence and long-term risks of LEA in junior and developmental athletes, and the development of standardised tools to diagnose LEA. These tools are required to aid comparisons between studies and to develop treatment strategies to attenuate the long-term health consequences of LEA. Continued advances in knowledge on LEA and its associated health consequences will aid development of more effective prevention, early detection and treatment strategies.

The influence of different calorie restriction protocols on serum pro-inflammatory cytokines, adipokines and IGF-I levels in female C57BL6 mice: short term and long term diet effects

Calorie restriction (CR) is an effective intervention to prevent chronic diseases including cancer. Although many factors, i.e., sex hormones, IGF-I and mTOR have been studied in response to CR, the molecular mechanisms of CR remain to be identified. Our objective was to determine the short and long-term effects of different CR protocols on pro-inflammatory cytokines. Our hypothesis was that Intermittent CR (ICR) would result in greater inhibition of pro-inflammatory serum cytokines compared to Chronic CR (CCR) as we previously found ICR to be more protective in the prevention of mammary tumor development. From ten weeks of age female C57BL6 mice were maintained on either ad libitum (AL) fed, ICR or CCR protocols (overall CR of ~75% of AL) for up to 74 weeks of age. Blood samples were collected for measurements of serum interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), adiponectin, leptin, IGF-I and insulin at specified ages. For ICR mice samples were collected following 3 weeks of restriction (ICR-R) and after one week of refeeding (ICR-RF). In general, both modes of CR significantly reduced serum IL-6, TNF-α, IGF-I and leptin levels compared to AL with IL-6 levels 24 and 3.5 fold and TNF-α levels t 11 and 1.5 fold lower in ICR and CCR groups, respectively at study termination. There was a trend for adiponectin and insulin to be highest in ICR-RF mice. Body weights were positively correlated with IL-6, TNF-α, insulin and leptin but negatively correlated with adiponectin-to-leptin ratio. Moreover, there was a positive correlation between IL-6 and TNF-α. Beneficial effects of ICR may function through pro-inflammatory cytokine pathways.

Exercise during energy restriction mitigates bone loss but not alterations in estrogen status or metabolic hormones

Energy restriction causes bone loss, increasing stress fracture risk. The impact of exercise during energy restriction on bone and endocrine factors is examined. Exercise with energy restriction did not influence endocrine factors, but did mitigate some bone loss seen with energy restriction in sedentary rats.

INTRODUCTION

Chronic dietary energy restriction (ER) leads to bone loss and increased fracture risk. Strictly controlled trials of long-term ER with and without vigorous exercise are required to determine whether exercise loading can counterbalance ER-induced bone loss. The aim of this current project is to elucidate the impact of exercise and ER on bone mass, estrogen status, and metabolic hormones.

METHODS

Twenty-four virgin female Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 8/group) were divided into three groups-ad libitum fed + exercise (Adlib + EX), 40 % energy restricted + exercise (ER + EX), and 40 % energy restricted + sedentary (ER + SED). Energy availability between ER groups was equal. Treadmill running was performed 4 days/week at 70 % VO2max for 12 weeks.

RESULTS

Fat and lean mass and areal bone mineral density (aBMD) were lower after 12 weeks (p < 0.05) for ER + EX vs Adlib + EX, but ER + EX aBMD was higher than ER + SED (p < 0.0001). Serum leptin and a urinary estrogen metabolite, estrone-1-glucuronide (E1G), were lower at week 12 (p = 0.0002) with ER, with no impact of exercise. Serum insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) declined (p = 0.02) from baseline to week 12 in both ER groups. ER + EX exhibited higher cortical volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD) at the midshaft tibia (p = 0.006) vs ER + SED.

CONCLUSION

Exercise during ER mitigated some, but not all, of the bone loss observed in sedentary ER rats, but had little impact on changes in urinary E1G and serum IGF-I and leptin. These data highlight the importance of both adequate energy intake and the mechanical loading of exercise in maintaining bone mass.

Effect of feeding a high-fat diet independently of caloric intake on reproductive function in diet-induced obese female rats

INTRODUCTION

Globally, the prevalence of overweight and obesity is increasing, predisposing females to health hazards including compromised reproductive capacity. Our objective was to investigate the effect of ad libitum, isocalorically and hypocalorically restricted high-fat diet (HFD) feeding on reproductive function in diet-induced obese female rats.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Twenty female albino Sprague Dawley rats were used; 5 rats were kept on a standard pellet animal diet to serve as a control group (A) and 15 rats were fed a HFD for 9 weeks to induce obesity. The HFD fed animals were equally divided into three groups: an ad libitum HFD group (B), an isocalorically restricted HFD group (C), and a hypocalorically restricted HFD group (D). Estrous cyclicity, hormonal levels, ovarian histopathology and caspase-3 immunoreactivity were evaluated.

RESULTS

The HFD-fed rats in groups B, C and D had significant irregularity in estrous cyclicity Vs group A (p = 0.001, 0.003 and 0.034 respectively). Groups C and D had significant reduction in serum progesterone level (p = 0.006 and 0.018 Vs A). Isocaloric restriction of HFD feeding significantly increased serum LH. Groups B and C had a significant increase in caspase-3 expression in the ovary (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Ad libitum HFD interfered with the normal estrous cycle and enhanced apoptosis of luteal cells in obese female rats. The HFD restriction interfered with the normal estrous cycle and caused functional insufficiency of the corpus luteum in obese female rats. These results suggest that HFD feeding determinately affects female reproductive function independently of caloric intake.

The Preventive Effect of Calcium Supplementation on Weak Bones Caused by the Interaction of Exercise and Food Restriction in Young Female Rats During the Period from Acquiring Bone Mass to Maintaining Bone Mass

Increasing calcium (Ca) intake is important for female athletes with a risk of weak bone caused by inadequate food intake. The aim of the present study was to examine the preventive effect of Ca supplementation on low bone strength in young female athletes with inadequate food intake, using the rats as an experimental model. Seven-week-old female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups: the sedentary and ad libitum feeding group (SED), voluntary running exercise and ad libitum feeding group (EX), voluntary running exercise and 30% food restriction group (EX-FR), and a voluntary running exercise, 30% food-restricted and high-Ca diet group (EX-FR+Ca). To Ca supplementation, we used 1.2% Ca diet as "high-Ca diet" that contains two-fold Ca of normal Ca diet. The experiment lasted for 12 weeks. As a result, the energy availability, internal organ weight, bone strength, bone mineral density, and Ca absorption in the EX-FR group were significantly lower than those in the EX group. The bone strength and Ca absorption in the EX-FR+Ca group were significantly higher than those in the EX-FR group. However, the bone strength in the EX-FR+Ca group did not reach that in the EX group. These results suggested that Ca supplementation had a positive effect on bone strength, but the effect was not sufficient to prevent lower bone strength caused by food restriction in young female athletes.

The Interaction of Voluntary Running Exercise and Food Restriction Induces Low Bone Strength and Low Bone Mineral Density in Young Female Rats

There is a concern that the combination of exercise with food intake reduction has a risk of reducing bone strength and bone mass in young female athletes. We examined the influence of the interaction of voluntary running exercise and food restriction on bone in young female rats. Seven-week-old female Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups: the sedentary and ad libitum feeding group (SED), voluntary running exercise and ad libitum feeding group (EX), sedentary and 30 % food restriction group (SED-FR), and voluntary running exercise and 30 % food restriction group (EX-FR). The experiment lasted 12 weeks. Statistical analysis was carried out by two-way analysis of variance with exercise and restriction as the between-subjects factors. As a result, there were significant interactions of running and restriction on energy availability, breaking force, breaking energy, and bone mineral density (BMD). Breaking force and energy in the EX group were significantly higher than in the SED group; breaking force and energy were significantly lower in the EX-FR group than in the EX group, and breaking force in the EX-FR group was significantly lower than that in the SED-FR group. BMD in the EX-FR group was significantly lower than in the EX and SED-FR groups. These results suggest that food restriction induced low bone strength in young female rats engaging in voluntary running exercise. Also, through the interaction of exercise and food restriction, voluntary running exercise combined food restriction, unlike ad libitum feeding conditions, induced low bone strength, and low BMD in young female rats.

Mechanical loading increases detection of estrogen receptor-alpha in osteocytes and osteoblasts despite chronic energy restriction

Estrogen receptor-α (ER-α) is an important mediator of the bone response to mechanical loading. We sought to determine whether restricting dietary energy intake by 40% limits the bone formation rate (BFR) response to mechanical loading (LOAD) by downregulating ER-α-expressing osteocytes, or osteoblasts, or both. Female rats (n = 48, 7 mo old) were randomized to ADLIB-SHAM and ADLIB-LOAD groups fed AIN-93M purified diet ad libitum or to ER40-SHAM and ER40-LOAD groups fed modified AIN-93M with 40% less energy (100% of all other nutrients). After 12 wk, LOAD rats were subjected to a muscle contraction protocol three times every third day. ER40 produced lower proximal tibia bone volume (-22%), trabecular thickness (-14%), and higher trabecular separation (+127%) in SHAM but not LOAD rats. ER40 rats exhibited reductions in mineral apposition rate, but not percent mineralizing surface or BFR. LOAD induced similar relative increases in these kinetic measures of osteoblast activity/recruitment in both diet groups., but absolute values for ER40 LOAD rats were lower vs. ADLIB-LOAD. There were fourfold and eightfold increases in proportion of estrogen receptor-α protein-positive osteoblast and osteocytes, respectively, in LOAD vs. SHAM rats, with no effect of ER40. These data suggest that a brief period of mechanical loading significantly affects estrogen receptor-α in cancellous bone osteoblasts and osteocytes. Chronic energy restriction does result in lower absolute values in indices of osteoblast activity after mechanical loading, but not by a smaller increment relative to unloaded bones; this change is not explained by an associated downregulation of ER-α in osteoblasts or osteocytes.

Influence of food restriction combined with voluntary running on bone morphology and strength in male rats

Athletes, in particular endurance athletes and dancers, are chronically exposed to a state of low energy availability due to insufficient dietary energy intake and massive exercise energy expenditure. Low energy availability sometimes causes bone fragility, thereby increasing the risk of bone disorders. Although the decrease in energy availability shows no sexual dimorphism, epidemiological studies have reported that bone disorders are less frequent in male athletes than in female athletes. We hypothesized that bone tissue was not affected by low energy availability in males. The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of food restriction combined with voluntary running training on bone morphology and strength in adult male rats. Fourteen-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided randomly into four groups: control (C) group, food restriction (R) group, exercise (Ex) group, and food restriction plus exercise (REx) group. For the R and REx groups, 30 % food restriction was carried out in comparison with the C group. Bone strength, bone mineral density (BMD), bone architecture, and bone turnover rate were measured after a 13-week experimental period. Bone strength was not significantly lower in the REx group compared with the C group. BMD and trabecular bone volume showed no difference among groups. These findings indicate that bone morphology and strength were little affected by food restriction combined with exercise training in adult male rats.

Sex differences in the physiology of eating

Hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis function fundamentally affects the physiology of eating. We review sex differences in the physiological and pathophysiological controls of amounts eaten in rats, mice, monkeys, and humans. These controls result from interactions among genetic effects, organizational effects of reproductive hormones (i.e., permanent early developmental effects), and activational effects of these hormones (i.e., effects dependent on hormone levels). Male-female sex differences in the physiology of eating involve both organizational and activational effects of androgens and estrogens. An activational effect of estrogens decreases eating 1) during the periovulatory period of the ovarian cycle in rats, mice, monkeys, and women and 2) tonically between puberty and reproductive senescence or ovariectomy in rats and monkeys, sometimes in mice, and possibly in women. Estrogens acting on estrogen receptor-α (ERα) in the caudal medial nucleus of the solitary tract appear to mediate these effects in rats. Androgens, prolactin, and other reproductive hormones also affect eating in rats. Sex differences in eating are mediated by alterations in orosensory capacity and hedonics, gastric mechanoreception, ghrelin, CCK, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), glucagon, insulin, amylin, apolipoprotein A-IV, fatty-acid oxidation, and leptin. The control of eating by central neurochemical signaling via serotonin, MSH, neuropeptide Y, Agouti-related peptide (AgRP), melanin-concentrating hormone, and dopamine is modulated by HPG function. Finally, sex differences in the physiology of eating may contribute to human obesity, anorexia nervosa, and binge eating. The variety and physiological importance of what has been learned so far warrant intensifying basic, translational, and clinical research on sex differences in eating.

Lipoic acid and moderate swimming improves the estrous cycle and oxidative stress in Wistar rats

The generation of reactive oxygen species resulting from physical activity may trigger adaptive processes at the reproductive level and in the antioxidant defense system itself. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of moderate daily swimming and lipoic acid (LA) supplementation on estrous cycle duration and pro-oxident and antioxidant markers in young Wistar rats. Animals were submitted to daily swimming (for 1 h) for 30 days, between 1300 h and 1400 h. The following study groups were formed: group 1, sedentary; group 2, submitted to swimming; group 3, sedentary supplemented with 100 mg·kg(-1)·day(-1) of LA; and group 4, submitted to swimming and supplementation with 100 mg·kg(-1)·day(-1) of LA. The estrous cycle of the animals was evaluated daily, and the following oxidative stress markers were measured: plasma thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and glutathione (GSH), erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD), GSH peroxidase (GPx) and catalase (CAT) activity. The exercise protocol increased estrous cycle duration in group 2, especially in the diestrous phase. There was also a decrease in lipoperoxidation, with enhanced antioxidant activity of SOD and GPx. Group 4 showed no alteration in estrous cycle duration and maintained the beneficial effects on the antioxidant system observed in group 2. The increase in estrous cycle duration and improved oxidative stress markers may be an adaptive response to moderate exercise. LA impeded any exercise-induced alteration in the cycle but preserved improvements in the antioxidant system.

Different effects on bone strength and cell differentiation in pre pubertal caloric restriction versus hypothalamic suppression

Hypothalamic amenorrhea and energy restriction during puberty affect peak bone mass accrual. One hypothesis suggests energy restriction alters hypothalamic function resulting in suppressed estradiol levels leading to bone loss. However, both positive and negative results have been reported regarding energy restriction and bone strength. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate energy restriction and hypothalamic suppression during pubertal onset on bone mechanical strength and the osteogenic capacity of bone marrow-derived cells in two models: female rats treated with gonadotropin releasing hormone antagonists (GnRH-a) or 30% energy restriction. At 23 days of age, female Sprague Dawley rats were assigned to three groups: control group (C, n=10), GnRH-a group (n=10), and Energy Restriction (ER, n=12) group. GnRH-a animals received daily injections for 27 days. The animals in the ER group received 70% of the control animals' intake. After sacrifice (50 days of age), body weight, uterine and muscle weights were measured. Bone marrow-derived stromal cells were cultured and assayed for proliferation and differentiation into osteoblasts. Outcome measures included bone strength, bone histomorphometry and architecture, serum IGF-1 and osteocalcin. GnRH-a suppressed uterine weight, decreased osteoblast proliferation, bone strength, trabecular bone volume and architecture compared to control. Elevated serum IGF-1 and osteocalcin levels and body weight were found. The ER model had an increase in osteoblast proliferation compared to the GnRH-a group, similar bone strength relative to body weight and increased trabecular bone volume in the lumbar spine compared to control. The ER animals were smaller but had developed bone strength sufficient for their size. In contrast, suppressed estradiol via hypothalamic suppression resulted in bone strength deficits and trabecular bone volume loss. In summary, our results support the hypothesis that during periods of nutritional stress the increased vertebral bone volume may be an adaptive mechanism to store mineral which differs from suppressed estradiol resulting from hypothalamic suppression.

Establishment of the black-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) as a novel animal model for comparing smallpox vaccines administered preexposure in both high- and low-dose monkeypox virus challenges

The 2003 monkeypox virus (MPXV) outbreak and subsequent laboratory studies demonstrated that the black-tailed prairie dog is susceptible to MPXV infection and that the ensuing rash illness is similar to human systemic orthopoxvirus (OPXV) infection, including a 7- to 9-day incubation period and, likely, in some cases a respiratory route of infection; these features distinguish this model from others. The need for safe and efficacious vaccines for OPVX in areas where it is endemic or epidemic is important to protect an increasingly OPXV-naïve population. In this study, we tested current and investigational smallpox vaccines for safety, induction of anti-OPXV antibodies, and protection against mortality and morbidity in two MPXV challenges. None of the smallpox vaccines caused illness in this model, and all vaccinated animals showed anti-OPXV antibody responses and neutralizing antibody. We tested vaccine efficacy by challenging the animals with 10(5) or 10(6) PFU Congo Basin MPXV 30 days postvaccination and evaluating morbidity and mortality. Our results demonstrated that vaccination with either Dryvax or Acambis2000 protected the animals from death with no rash illness. Vaccination with IMVAMUNE also protected the animals from death, albeit with (modified) rash illness. Based on the results of this study, we believe prairie dogs offer a novel and potentially useful small animal model for the safety and efficacy testing of smallpox vaccines in pre- and postexposure vaccine testing, which is important for public health planning.