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Zheng B, Hu X, Hu Y, Dong S, Xiao X, Qi H, Wang Y, Wang W, Wang Z. Type III adenylyl cyclase is essential for follicular development in female mice and their reproductive lifespan. iScience 2024; 27:110293. [PMID: 39050703 PMCID: PMC11267094 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.110293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2024] [Revised: 05/15/2024] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Premature ovarian failure (POF) is a complex and heterogeneous disease that causes infertility and subfertility. However, the molecular mechanism of POF has not been fully elucidated. Here, we show that the loss of adenylyl cyclase III (Adcy3) in female mice leads to POF and a shortened reproductive lifespan. We found that Adcy3 is abundantly expressed in mouse oocytes. Adcy3 knockout mice exhibited the excessive activation of primordial follicles, progressive follicle loss, follicular atresia, and ultimately POF. Mechanistically, we found that mitochondrial oxidative stress in oocytes significantly increased with age in Adcy3-deficient mice and was accompanied by oocyte apoptosis and defective folliculogenesis. In contrast, compared with wild-type female mice, humanized ADCY3 knock-in female mice exhibited improved fertility with age. Collectively, these results reveal that the previously unrecognized Adcy3 signaling pathway is tightly linked to female ovarian aging, providing potential pharmaceutical targets for preventing and treating POF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baofang Zheng
- School of Life Sciences, Institute of Life Science, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China
| | - Xiaoyu Hu
- School of Life Sciences, Institute of Life Science, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China
- Hebei Basic Science Center for Biotic Interaction, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China
| | - Yuanhui Hu
- School of Life Sciences, Institute of Life Science, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China
| | - Sheng Dong
- School of Life Sciences, Institute of Life Science, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China
| | - Xin Xiao
- School of Life Sciences, Institute of Life Science, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China
| | - Haoming Qi
- School of Life Sciences, Institute of Life Science, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China
| | - Yongdi Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Institute of Life Science, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China
| | - Weina Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Institute of Life Science, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China
| | - Zhenshan Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Institute of Life Science, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China
- Hebei Basic Science Center for Biotic Interaction, Hebei University, Baoding 071002, China
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2
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Fathi PA, Bales MB, Ayala JE. Time-dependent changes in feeding behavior and energy balance associated with weight gain in mice fed obesogenic diets. Obesity (Silver Spring) 2024; 32:1373-1388. [PMID: 38932722 DOI: 10.1002/oby.24052] [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: 01/09/2024] [Revised: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/01/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Obesity is characterized by dysregulated homeostatic mechanisms resulting in positive energy balance; however, when this dysregulation occurs is unknown. We assessed the time course of alterations to behaviors promoting weight gain in male and female mice switched to an obesogenic high-fat diet (HFD). METHODS Male and female C57BL/6J mice were housed in metabolic chambers and were switched from chow to a 60% or 45% HFD for 4 and 3 weeks, respectively. Food intake, meal patterns, energy expenditure (EE), and body weight were continuously measured. A separate cohort of male mice was switched from chow to a 60% HFD and was given access to locked or unlocked running wheels. RESULTS Switching mice to obesogenic diets promotes transient bouts of hyperphagia during the first 2 weeks followed by persistent caloric hyperphagia. EE increases but not sufficiently enough to offset increased caloric intake, resulting in a sustained net positive energy balance. Hyperphagia is associated with consumption of calorically larger meals (impaired satiation) more frequently (impaired satiety), particularly during the light cycle. Running wheel exercise delays weight gain in male mice fed a 60% HFD by enhancing satiation and increasing EE. However, exercise effects on satiation are no longer apparent after 2 weeks, coinciding with weight gain. CONCLUSIONS Exposure to obesogenic diets engages homeostatic regulatory mechanisms for ~2 weeks that ultimately fail, and consequent weight gain is characterized by impaired satiation and satiety. Insights into the etiology of obesity can be obtained by investigating changes to satiation and satiety mechanisms during the initial ~2 weeks of HFD exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Payam A Fathi
- Department of Molecular Physiology & Biophysics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Michelle B Bales
- Department of Molecular Physiology & Biophysics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
| | - Julio E Ayala
- Department of Molecular Physiology & Biophysics, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
- Vanderbilt Mouse Metabolic Phenotyping Center, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
- Vanderbilt Center for Addiction Research, Nashville, Tennessee, USA
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3
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Skalski HJ, Arendt AR, Harkins SK, MacLachlan M, Corbett CJM, Goy RW, Kapoor A, Hostetter G, Chandler RL. Key Considerations for Studying the Effects of High-Fat Diet on the Nulligravid Mouse Endometrium. J Endocr Soc 2024; 8:bvae104. [PMID: 38854907 PMCID: PMC11156617 DOI: 10.1210/jendso/bvae104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/11/2024] Open
Abstract
The obesity epidemic continues to increase, with half of US women predicted to be obese by 2030. Women with obesity are at increased risk for not only cardiovascular and liver disease, but also reproductive disorders. Although mouse models are useful in studying the effects of obesity, there is inconsistency in obesity-induction methods, diet composition, and mouse strains, and studies using female mice are limited. In this study, we sought to compare the effects of a 45% high-fat diet (HFD) versus a 60% HFD on the uterine estrous cycle of nulligravid C57BL/6J mice. For 22 weeks, we placed a total of 20 mice on either a 60% HFD, 45% HFD, or each HFD-matched control diet (CD). Both HFDs produced significant weight gain, with 60% HFD and 45% HFD gaining significant weight after 2 weeks and 15 weeks, respectively. Additionally, both HFDs led to glucose intolerance, fatty liver, and adipocyte hypertrophy. Mice fed 60% HFD displayed hyperphagia in the first 12 weeks of HFD treatment. Moreover, 60% HFD-treated mice had a longer estrous cycle length and an increased percentage of estrus stage samplings compared to CD-treated mice. Estrous cycle stage-controlled 60% HFD-treated mice displayed an increased estrogen-to-progesterone ratio and decreased ovarian corpora lutea compared to CD-treated mice, which may underlie the observed estrous cycle differences. There was no significant difference between diets regarding endometrial morphology or the percent of endometrial CD45+ immune cells. Our results indicate that consideration is needed when selecting a HFD-induced obesity mouse model for research involving female reproductive health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hilary J Skalski
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
| | - Amelia R Arendt
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
| | - Shannon K Harkins
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
| | - Madison MacLachlan
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
| | - Cody J M Corbett
- Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, Assay Services, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53715, USA
| | - Robinson W Goy
- Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, Assay Services, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53715, USA
| | - Amita Kapoor
- Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, Assay Services, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53715, USA
| | - Galen Hostetter
- Pathology and Biorepository Core, Van Andel Research Institute, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
| | - Ronald L Chandler
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
- Department for Epigenetics, Van Andel Research Institute, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
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Fathi PA, Bales MB, Ayala JE. Time dependent changes in feeding behavior and energy balance associated with weight gain in mice fed obesogenic diets. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.01.10.575043. [PMID: 38260337 PMCID: PMC10802492 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.10.575043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
Obesity is characterized by dysregulated homeostatic mechanisms resulting in positive energy balance, yet when this dysregulation occurs is unknown. We assessed the time course of alterations to behaviors promoting weight gain in male and female mice switched to obesogenic 60% or 45% high fat diet (HFD). Switching mice to obesogenic diets promotes transient bouts of hyperphagia during the first 2 weeks followed by persistent caloric hyperphagia. Energy expenditure increases but not sufficiently to offset increased caloric intake, resulting in a sustained net positive energy balance. Hyperphagia is associated with consumption of calorically larger meals (impaired satiation) more frequently (impaired satiety) particularly during the light-cycle. Running wheel exercise delays weight gain in 60% HFD-fed male mice by enhancing satiation and increasing energy expenditure. However, exercise effects on satiation are no longer apparent after 2 weeks, coinciding with weight gain. Thus, exposure to obesogenic diets engages homeostatic regulatory mechanisms for ∼2 weeks that ultimately fail, and consequent weight gain is characterized by impaired satiation and satiety. Insights into the etiology of obesity can be obtained by investigating changes to satiation and satiety mechanisms during the initial ∼2 weeks of HFD exposure. What is already known about this subject? Obesity is associated with dysregulated homeostatic mechanisms.Increased caloric consumption contributes to obesity.Obese rodents tend to eat larger, more frequent meals. What are the new findings in your manuscript? Exposure to obesogenic diets promotes transient attempts to maintain weight homeostasis.After ∼2 weeks, caloric hyperphagia exceeds increased energy expenditure, promoting weight gain.This is associated with consumption of larger, more frequent meals. How might your results change the direction of research or the focus of clinical practice? Our findings suggest that molecular studies focusing on mechanisms that regulate meal size and frequency, particularly those engaged during the first ∼2 weeks of obesogenic diet feeding that eventually fail, can provide unique insight into the etiology of obesity.
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5
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Schuh KM, Ahmed J, Kwak E, Xu CX, Davis TT, Aronoff CB, Tronson NC. A mouse model of oral contraceptive exposure: Depression, motivation, and the stress response. Horm Behav 2024; 158:105470. [PMID: 38061232 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2023.105470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2024]
Abstract
Hormonal contraceptives, including oral contraceptives (OCs), regulate hormonal cycles and broadly affect physiological processes, including stress responsivity. Whereas many users describe overall improved mood, up to 10 % of OC users experience adverse effects, including depression and anxiety. Given the link between regulation of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, stress exposure, and risk for depression, it is likely that OC-effects on stress mediate increased risk or increased resilience to these disorders. In this study, we developed and characterized a tractable mouse model of OC exposure with which to identify the mechanisms underlying OC modulation of brain, behavior, and mood. Specifically, we aimed to determine whether translationally relevant doses of OC-hormones in mice mimic changes in stress responsivity observed in humans taking OCs and describe behavioral changes during OC exposure. Young adult female C57Bl/6 N mice received daily ethinyl estradiol (EE) and levonorgestrel (LVNG) in 10 % sucrose, EE and drospirenone (DRSP) in 10 % sucrose, or 10 % sucrose alone. Translationally relevant doses of EE + LVNG-exposure, but not EE + DRSP, suppressed the acute stress response, consistent with effects observed in human OC users. EE + LVNG caused a specific anhedonia-like effect, without broad changes in stress-coping behavior, other depression-like behaviors, or anxiety-like behaviors. The suppression of regular estrous cycling, together with the blunting of the corticosterone response to acute stress, demonstrate the utility of this model for future studies to identify the mechanisms underlying OC interactions with stress, motivation, and risk for depression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristen M Schuh
- Psychology Department, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States of America
| | - Jabir Ahmed
- Psychology Department, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States of America
| | - Esther Kwak
- Psychology Department, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States of America
| | - Cecilia X Xu
- Psychology Department, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States of America
| | - Tronjay T Davis
- Psychology Department, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States of America
| | - Chloe B Aronoff
- Psychology Department, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States of America
| | - Natalie C Tronson
- Psychology Department, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, United States of America.
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Velazquez C, Herrero Y, Bianchi MS, Cohen DJ, Cuasnicu P, Prost K, Marinoni R, Pascuali N, Parborell F, Abramovich D. Beneficial effects of metformin on mice female fertility after a high-fat diet intake. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2023; 575:111995. [PMID: 37364632 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2023.111995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
Female fertility is highly dependent on energy balance. High fat diet (HFD) intake entails a risk of infertility and ovulatory disorders. Considering the increase in the prevalence of overweight and obesity over the last decades, it is crucial to understand the mechanisms involved in overweight-associated infertility. In this study, we evaluated the reproductive performance of female mice fed with a HFD and the effects of metformin administration on ovarian function in these mice. We hypothesized that one of the mechanisms involved in subfertility due to a HFD intake is the alteration of ovarian blood vessel formation. We found that mice fed with HFD had altered estrous cycles and steroidogenesis, increased ovarian fibrosis, fewer pups per litter and require more time to achieve pregnancy. HFD-fed mice also presented dysregulated ovarian angiogenesis and an increase in nuclear DNA damage in ovarian cells. Ovulation rates were lower in these animals, as evidenced both in natural mating and after ovulation induction with gonadotropins. Metformin ameliorated ovarian angiogenesis, improved steroidogenesis, fibrosis, and ovulation, decreased the time to pregnancy and increased litter sizes in HFD-fed mice. We conclude that ovarian angiogenesis is one of the mechanisms detrimentally affected by HFD intake. Since metformin could improve ovarian microvasculature, it may be an interesting strategy to study in women to shed light on new targets for patients with metabolic disturbances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Candela Velazquez
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental, IByME-CONICET, Vuelta de Obligado 2490, C1428ADL Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Yamila Herrero
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental, IByME-CONICET, Vuelta de Obligado 2490, C1428ADL Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María Silvia Bianchi
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental, IByME-CONICET, Vuelta de Obligado 2490, C1428ADL Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Débora Juana Cohen
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental, IByME-CONICET, Vuelta de Obligado 2490, C1428ADL Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Patricia Cuasnicu
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental, IByME-CONICET, Vuelta de Obligado 2490, C1428ADL Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Katherine Prost
- Hospital Interzonal General de Agudos Pedro Fiorito, sector de Endocrinología, Av. Manuel Belgrano 827, B1870 Avellaneda, Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Rocío Marinoni
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental, IByME-CONICET, Vuelta de Obligado 2490, C1428ADL Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Natalia Pascuali
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental, IByME-CONICET, Vuelta de Obligado 2490, C1428ADL Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina; Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC), Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Fernanda Parborell
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental, IByME-CONICET, Vuelta de Obligado 2490, C1428ADL Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Dalhia Abramovich
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental, IByME-CONICET, Vuelta de Obligado 2490, C1428ADL Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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Quignon C. Collection and Analysis of Vaginal Smears to Assess Reproductive Stage in Mice. Curr Protoc 2023; 3:e887. [PMID: 37725703 PMCID: PMC10516510 DOI: 10.1002/cpz1.887] [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] [Indexed: 09/21/2023]
Abstract
An increasing number of scientific studies include female mice to assess possible sex differences. As such, for reproducibility by others, it is important to consider hormonal levels, i.e., report the reproductive status of the female mice used. The mouse estrous cycle can be divided in 4 stages, all characterized by a different proportion of 3 cell types found in vaginal secretions. Observation of the mouse vaginal opening and collection of vaginal smears for analysis of cytology can be done in order to determine puberty onset and estrus stage. This protocol describes the characteristics of each estrus stage and details a quick and low-invasive method for collection of vaginal secretions. Examples of estrous cycle stages are included to help the investigator visualize patterns of cyclicity, which can provide important information about the reproductive health of the mice. Published 2023. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA. Basic Protocol 1: Visual assessment of vaginal opening Basic Protocol 2: Collection of vaginal secretion (smears).
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Affiliation(s)
- Clarisse Quignon
- Cellular and Developmental Neurobiology Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland
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8
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Kageyama A, Tsuchiya M, Terakawa J, Ito J, Kashiwazaki N. A combined treatment with progesterone, anti-inhibin serum, and equine chorionic gonadotropin improves number of ovulated oocytes in young C57BL/6J mice. J Reprod Dev 2023; 69:223-226. [PMID: 37331813 PMCID: PMC10435527 DOI: 10.1262/jrd.2023-036] [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: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Superovulation procedures are routinely and widely used in mouse reproductive technology. Previous studies have shown that a large number of oocytes can be obtained from adult mice (> 10 weeks old) using a combined treatment with progesterone (P4) and anti-inhibin serum (AIS). However, these effects have not been fully investigated in young (4 weeks) C57BL/6J mice. Here, we found that a modified superovulation protocol (combined treatment with P4, AIS, eCG (equine chorionic gonadotropin), and hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin); P4D2-Ae-h) improved the number of oocytes compared to the control (eCG and hCG) (39.7 vs. 21.3 oocytes/mouse). After in vitro fertilization, pronuclear formation rates were 69.3% (P4D2-Ae-h group) and 66.2% (control group). After embryo transfer, 46.4% (116/250) of the embryos in the P4D2-Ae-h group successfully developed to term, which was comparable to the control group (42.9%; 123/287 embryos). In conclusion, our protocol (P4D2-Ae-h) was effective for superovulation in young C57BL/6J mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atsuko Kageyama
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, Graduate School of Veterinary Sciences, Azabu University, Sagamihara 252-5201, Japan
| | - Mizuho Tsuchiya
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Azabu University, Sagamihara 252-5201, Japan
| | - Jumpei Terakawa
- Laboratory of Toxicology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Azabu University, Sagamihara 252-5201, Japan
| | - Junya Ito
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, Graduate School of Veterinary Sciences, Azabu University, Sagamihara 252-5201, Japan
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Azabu University, Sagamihara 252-5201, Japan
- Center for Human and Animal Symbiosis Science, Azabu University, Sagamihara 252-5201, Japan
| | - Naomi Kashiwazaki
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, Graduate School of Veterinary Sciences, Azabu University, Sagamihara 252-5201, Japan
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Azabu University, Sagamihara 252-5201, Japan
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Strain MM, Espinoza L, Fedorchak S, Littlejohn EL, Andrade MA, Toney GM, Boychuk CR. Early central cardiovagal dysfunction after high fat diet in a murine model. Sci Rep 2023; 13:6550. [PMID: 37085567 PMCID: PMC10121716 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-32492-w] [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: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/23/2023] Open
Abstract
High fat diet (HFD) promotes cardiovascular disease and blunted cardiac vagal regulation. Temporal onset of loss of cardiac vagal control and its underlying mechanism are presently unclear. We tested our hypothesis that reduced central vagal regulation occurs early after HFD and contributes to poor cardiac regulation using cardiovascular testing paired with pharmacology in mice, molecular biology, and a novel bi-transgenic mouse line. Results show HFD, compared to normal fat diet (NFD), significantly blunted cardio/pulmonary chemoreflex bradycardic responses after 15 days, extending as far as tested (> 30 days). HFD produced resting tachycardia by day 3, reflected significant loss of parasympathetic tone. No differences in bradycardic responses to graded electrical stimulation of the distal cut end of the cervical vagus indicated diet-induced differences in vagal activity were centrally mediated. In nucleus ambiguus (NA), surface expression of δ-subunit containing type A gamma-aminobutyric acid receptors (GABAA(δ)R) increased at day 15 of HFD. Novel mice lacking δ-subunit expression in vagal motor neurons (ChAT-δnull) failed to exhibit blunted reflex bradycardia or resting tachycardia after two weeks of HFD. Thus, reduced parasympathetic output contributes to early HFD-induced HR dysregulation, likely through increased GABAA(δ)Rs. Results underscore need for research on mechanisms of early onset increases in GABAA(δ)R expression and parasympathetic dysfunction after HFD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Misty M Strain
- Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology, Long School of Medicine, University of Texas Health San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, Mail Code 7746, San Antonio, TX, 78229-3901, USA
| | - Liliana Espinoza
- Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology, Long School of Medicine, University of Texas Health San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, Mail Code 7746, San Antonio, TX, 78229-3901, USA
| | - Stephanie Fedorchak
- Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology, Long School of Medicine, University of Texas Health San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, Mail Code 7746, San Antonio, TX, 78229-3901, USA
| | - Erica L Littlejohn
- Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology, Long School of Medicine, University of Texas Health San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, Mail Code 7746, San Antonio, TX, 78229-3901, USA
| | - Mary Ann Andrade
- Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology, Long School of Medicine, University of Texas Health San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, Mail Code 7746, San Antonio, TX, 78229-3901, USA
| | - Glenn M Toney
- Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology, Long School of Medicine, University of Texas Health San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, Mail Code 7746, San Antonio, TX, 78229-3901, USA
| | - Carie R Boychuk
- Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology, Long School of Medicine, University of Texas Health San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, Mail Code 7746, San Antonio, TX, 78229-3901, USA.
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Simmen FA, Pabona JMP, Al-Dwairi A, Alhallak I, Montales MTE, Simmen RCM. Malic Enzyme 1 (ME1) Promotes Adiposity and Hepatic Steatosis and Induces Circulating Insulin and Leptin in Obese Female Mice. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24076613. [PMID: 37047583 PMCID: PMC10095602 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24076613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Revised: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Malic Enzyme 1 (ME1) supports lipogenesis, cholesterol synthesis, and cellular redox potential by catalyzing the decarboxylation of L-malate to pyruvate, and the concomitant reduction of NADP to NADPH. We examined the contribution of ME1 to the development of obesity by provision of an obesogenic diet to C57BL/6 wild type (WT) and MOD-1 (lack ME1 protein) female mice. Adiposity, serum hormone levels, and adipose, mammary gland, liver, and small intestine gene expression patterns were compared between experimental groups after 10 weeks on a diet. Relative to WT female mice, MOD-1 female mice exhibited lower body weights and less adiposity; decreased concentrations of insulin, leptin, and estrogen; higher concentrations of adiponectin and progesterone; smaller-sized mammary gland adipocytes; and reduced hepatosteatosis. MOD-1 mice had diminished expression of Lep gene in abdominal fat; Lep, Pparg, Klf9, and Acaca genes in mammary glands; Pparg and Cdkn1a genes in liver; and Tlr9 and Ffar3 genes in the small intestine. By contrast, liver expression of Cdkn2a and Lepr genes was augmented in MOD-1, relative to WT mice. Results document an integrative role for ME1 in development of female obesity, suggest novel linkages with specific pathways/genes, and further support the therapeutic targeting of ME1 for obesity, diabetes, and fatty liver disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank A. Simmen
- Department of Physiology & Cell Biology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA
- The Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA
| | - John Mark P. Pabona
- Department of Physiology & Cell Biology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA
| | - Ahmed Al-Dwairi
- Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, College of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid 22110, Jordan
| | - Iad Alhallak
- Department of Physiology & Cell Biology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA
| | - Maria Theresa E. Montales
- Department of Physiology & Cell Biology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA
| | - Rosalia C. M. Simmen
- Department of Physiology & Cell Biology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA
- The Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA
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11
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Lenert ME, Burton MD. Sensory neuron LKB1 mediates ovarian and reproductive function. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.03.28.534533. [PMID: 37034663 PMCID: PMC10081243 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.28.534533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/20/2023]
Abstract
Treatments for reproductive disorders in women primarily consist of hormone replacement therapy, which can have negative health impacts. Bidirectional communication between sensory neurons and innervated organs is an emerging area of interest in tissue physiology with potential relevance for reproductive disorders. Indeed, the metabolic activity of sensory neurons can have profound effects on reproductive phenotypes. To investigate this phenomenon, we utilized a murine model with conditional deletion in sensory neurons of liver kinase B1 (LKB1), a serine/threonine kinase that regulates cellular metabolism. Female mice with this LKB1 deletion (Nav1.8cre;LKB1fl/fl) had significantly more pups per litter compared to wild-type females. Interestingly, the LKB1 genotype of male breeders had no effect on fertility outcomes, thus indicating a female-specific role of sensory neuron metabolism in fertility. LKB1 deletion in sensory neurons resulted in reduced ovarian innervation from dorsal root ganglia neurons and increased follicular turnover compared to littermate controls. In summary, LKB1 expression in peripheral sensory neurons plays an important role in modulating fertility of female mice via ovarian sensory innervation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa E Lenert
- Neuroimmunology and Behavior Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, Center for Advanced Pain Studies (CAPS), The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX 75080
| | - Michael D Burton
- Neuroimmunology and Behavior Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience, School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, Center for Advanced Pain Studies (CAPS), The University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX 75080
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Moeckli B, Pham TV, Slits F, Latrille S, Peloso A, Delaune V, Oldani G, Lacotte S, Toso C. FGF21 negatively affects long-term female fertility in mice. Heliyon 2022; 8:e11490. [DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e11490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Revised: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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High-fat diet causes mechanical allodynia in the absence of injury or diabetic pathology. Sci Rep 2022; 12:14840. [PMID: 36050326 PMCID: PMC9437006 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-18281-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding the interactions between diet, obesity, and diabetes is important to tease out mechanisms in painful pathology. Western diet is rich in fats, producing high amounts of circulating bioactive metabolites. However, no research has assessed how a high-fat diet (HFD) alone may sensitize an individual to non-painful stimuli in the absence of obesity or diabetic pathology. To investigate this, we tested the ability of a HFD to stimulate diet-induced hyperalgesic priming, or diet sensitization in male and female mice. Our results revealed that 8 weeks of HFD did not alter baseline pain sensitivity, but both male and female HFD-fed animals exhibited robust mechanical allodynia when exposed to a subthreshold dose of intraplantar Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) compared to mice on chow diet. Furthermore, calcium imaging in isolated primary sensory neurons of both sexes revealed HFD induced an increased percentage of capsaicin-responsive neurons compared to their chow counterparts. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) showed a HFD-induced upregulation of ATF3, a neuronal marker of injury, in lumbar dorsal root ganglia (DRG). This suggests that a HFD induces allodynia in the absence of a pre-existing condition or injury via dietary components. With this new understanding of how a HFD can contribute to the onset of pain, we can understand the dissociation behind the comorbidities associated with obesity and diabetes to develop pharmacological interventions to treat them more efficiently.
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Lenert ME, Burton MD. Acute effects of a high-fat diet on estrous cycling and body weight of intact female mice. Neuropsychopharmacology 2022; 47:418-419. [PMID: 34453116 PMCID: PMC8617026 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-021-01164-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Melissa E. Lenert
- grid.267323.10000 0001 2151 7939Neuroimmunology and Behavior Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience, Center for Advanced Pain Studies (CAPS), School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX USA
| | - Michael D. Burton
- grid.267323.10000 0001 2151 7939Neuroimmunology and Behavior Laboratory, Department of Neuroscience, Center for Advanced Pain Studies (CAPS), School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX USA
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