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Chesters RA, Zhu J, Coull BM, Baidoe-Ansah D, Baumer L, Palm L, Klinghammer N, Chen S, Hahm A, Yagoub S, Cantacorps L, Bernardi D, Ritter K, Lippert RN. Fasting-induced activity changes in MC3R neurons of the paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus. Life Sci Alliance 2024; 7:e202402754. [PMID: 39107065 PMCID: PMC11303869 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202402754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2024] [Revised: 07/26/2024] [Accepted: 07/29/2024] [Indexed: 08/09/2024] Open
Abstract
The brain controls energy homeostasis by regulating food intake through signaling within the melanocortin system. Whilst we understand the role of the hypothalamus within this system, how extra-hypothalamic brain regions are involved in controlling energy balance remains unclear. Here we show that the melanocortin 3 receptor (MC3R) is expressed in the paraventricular nucleus of the thalamus (PVT). We tested whether fasting would change the activity of MC3R neurons in this region by assessing the levels of c-Fos and pCREB as neuronal activity markers. We determined that overnight fasting causes a significant reduction in pCREB levels within PVT-MC3R neurons. We then questioned whether perturbation of MC3R signaling, during fasting, would result in altered refeeding. Using chemogenetic approaches, we show that modulation of MC3R activity, during the fasting period, does not impact body weight regain or total food intake in the refeeding period. However, we did observe significant differences in the pattern of feeding-related behavior. These findings suggest that the PVT is a region where MC3R neurons respond to energy deprivation and modulate refeeding behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert A Chesters
- Department of Neurocircuit Development and Function, German Institute of Human Nutrition https://ror.org/05xdczy51, Nuthetal, Germany
| | - Jiajie Zhu
- Department of Neurocircuit Development and Function, German Institute of Human Nutrition https://ror.org/05xdczy51, Nuthetal, Germany
- NeuroCure Cluster of Excellence, Charité-Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Bethany M Coull
- Department of Neurocircuit Development and Function, German Institute of Human Nutrition https://ror.org/05xdczy51, Nuthetal, Germany
- NeuroCure Cluster of Excellence, Charité-Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany
| | - David Baidoe-Ansah
- Department of Neurocircuit Development and Function, German Institute of Human Nutrition https://ror.org/05xdczy51, Nuthetal, Germany
- NeuroCure Cluster of Excellence, Charité-Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Lea Baumer
- Department of Neurocircuit Development and Function, German Institute of Human Nutrition https://ror.org/05xdczy51, Nuthetal, Germany
| | - Lydia Palm
- Department of Neurocircuit Development and Function, German Institute of Human Nutrition https://ror.org/05xdczy51, Nuthetal, Germany
| | - Niklas Klinghammer
- Department of Neurocircuit Development and Function, German Institute of Human Nutrition https://ror.org/05xdczy51, Nuthetal, Germany
| | - Seve Chen
- Department of Neurocircuit Development and Function, German Institute of Human Nutrition https://ror.org/05xdczy51, Nuthetal, Germany
| | - Anneke Hahm
- Department of Neurocircuit Development and Function, German Institute of Human Nutrition https://ror.org/05xdczy51, Nuthetal, Germany
| | - Selma Yagoub
- Department of Neurocircuit Development and Function, German Institute of Human Nutrition https://ror.org/05xdczy51, Nuthetal, Germany
| | - Lídia Cantacorps
- Department of Neurocircuit Development and Function, German Institute of Human Nutrition https://ror.org/05xdczy51, Nuthetal, Germany
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), München-Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Daniel Bernardi
- Department of Neurocircuit Development and Function, German Institute of Human Nutrition https://ror.org/05xdczy51, Nuthetal, Germany
| | - Katrin Ritter
- Department of Neurocircuit Development and Function, German Institute of Human Nutrition https://ror.org/05xdczy51, Nuthetal, Germany
| | - Rachel N Lippert
- Department of Neurocircuit Development and Function, German Institute of Human Nutrition https://ror.org/05xdczy51, Nuthetal, Germany
- German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), München-Neuherberg, Germany
- NeuroCure Cluster of Excellence, Charité-Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany
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Ford CL, McDonough AA, Horie K, Young LJ. Melanocortin agonism in a social context selectively activates nucleus accumbens in an oxytocin-dependent manner. Neuropharmacology 2024; 247:109848. [PMID: 38253222 PMCID: PMC10923148 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2024.109848] [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: 10/30/2022] [Revised: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
Social deficits are debilitating features of many psychiatric disorders, including autism. While time-intensive behavioral therapy is moderately effective, there are no pharmacological interventions for social deficits in autism. Many studies have attempted to treat social deficits using the neuropeptide oxytocin for its powerful neuromodulatory abilities and influence on social behaviors and cognition. However, clinical trials utilizing supplementation paradigms in which exogenous oxytocin is chronically administered independent of context have failed. An alternative treatment paradigm suggests pharmacologically activating the endogenous oxytocin system during behavioral therapy to enhance the efficacy of therapy by facilitating social learning. To this end, melanocortin receptor agonists like Melanotan II (MTII), which induces central oxytocin release and accelerates formation of partner preference, a form of social learning, in prairie voles, are promising pharmacological tools. To model pharmacological activation of the endogenous oxytocin system during behavioral therapy, we administered MTII prior to social interactions between male and female voles. We assessed its effect on oxytocin-dependent activity in brain regions subserving social learning using Fos expression as a proxy for neuronal activation. In non-social contexts, MTII only activated hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus, a primary site of oxytocin synthesis. However, during social interactions, MTII selectively increased oxytocin-dependent activation of nucleus accumbens, a site critical for social learning. These results suggest a mechanism for the MTII-induced acceleration of partner preference formation observed in previous studies. Moreover, they are consistent with the hypothesis that pharmacologically activating the endogenous oxytocin system with a melanocortin agonist during behavioral therapy has potential to facilitate social learning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles L Ford
- Center for Translational Social Neuroscience, Silvio O. Conte Center for Oxytocin and Social Cognition, Emory National Primate Research Center, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA.
| | - Anna A McDonough
- Center for Translational Social Neuroscience, Silvio O. Conte Center for Oxytocin and Social Cognition, Emory National Primate Research Center, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA
| | - Kengo Horie
- Center for Translational Social Neuroscience, Silvio O. Conte Center for Oxytocin and Social Cognition, Emory National Primate Research Center, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA
| | - Larry J Young
- Center for Translational Social Neuroscience, Silvio O. Conte Center for Oxytocin and Social Cognition, Emory National Primate Research Center, Atlanta, GA, 30329, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA.
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3
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Gozen O, Aypar B, Ozturk Bintepe M, Tuzcu F, Balkan B, Koylu EO, Kanit L, Keser A. Chronic Nicotine Consumption and Withdrawal Regulate Melanocortin Receptor, CRF, and CRF Receptor mRNA Levels in the Rat Brain. Brain Sci 2024; 14:63. [PMID: 38248278 PMCID: PMC10813117 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci14010063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Revised: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Alterations in the various neuropeptide systems in the mesocorticolimbic circuitry have been implicated in negative effects associated with drug withdrawal. The corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone are two peptides that may be involved. This study investigated the regulatory effects of chronic nicotine exposure and withdrawal on the mRNA levels of melanocortin receptors (MC3R, MC4R), CRF, and CRF receptors (CRFR1 and CRFR2) expressed in the mesocorticolimbic system. Rats were given drinking water with nicotine or without nicotine (control group) for 12 weeks, after which they continued receiving nicotine (chronic exposure) or were withdrawn from nicotine for 24 or 48 h. The animals were decapitated following behavioral testing for withdrawal signs. Quantitative real-time PCR analysis demonstrated that nicotine exposure (with or without withdrawal) increased levels of CRF and CRFR1 mRNA in the amygdala, CRF mRNA in the medial prefrontal cortex, and CRFR1 mRNA in the septum. Nicotine withdrawal also enhanced MC3R and MC4R mRNA levels in different brain regions, while chronic nicotine exposure was associated with increased MC4R mRNA levels in the nucleus accumbens. These results suggest that chronic nicotine exposure and withdrawal regulate CRF and melanocortin signaling in the mesocorticolimbic system, possibly contributing to negative affective state and nicotine addiction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oguz Gozen
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Ege University, 35100 Izmir, Turkey; (O.G.)
- Center for Brain Research, Ege University, 35100 Izmir, Turkey
| | - Buket Aypar
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Ege University, 35100 Izmir, Turkey; (O.G.)
| | - Meliha Ozturk Bintepe
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Ege University, 35100 Izmir, Turkey; (O.G.)
| | - Fulya Tuzcu
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Ege University, 35100 Izmir, Turkey; (O.G.)
| | - Burcu Balkan
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Ege University, 35100 Izmir, Turkey; (O.G.)
- Center for Brain Research, Ege University, 35100 Izmir, Turkey
| | - Ersin O. Koylu
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Ege University, 35100 Izmir, Turkey; (O.G.)
- Center for Brain Research, Ege University, 35100 Izmir, Turkey
| | - Lutfiye Kanit
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Ege University, 35100 Izmir, Turkey; (O.G.)
- Center for Brain Research, Ege University, 35100 Izmir, Turkey
| | - Aysegul Keser
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Ege University, 35100 Izmir, Turkey; (O.G.)
- Center for Brain Research, Ege University, 35100 Izmir, Turkey
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da Silva E Santos MR, Paes MH, Bento RCQS, Cardoso LM, de Oliveira LB. Reducing sugar intake through chronic swimming training: Exploring palatability changes and central vasopressin mechanisms. Pharmacol Biochem Behav 2024; 234:173691. [PMID: 38081330 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbb.2023.173691] [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: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/01/2024]
Abstract
Excessive sugar intake has been associated with the onset of several non-communicable chronic diseases seen in humans. Physical activity could affect sweet taste perception which may affect sugar intake. Therefore, it was investigated the chronic effects of swimming training on sucrose intake/preference, reactivity to sucrose taste, self-care in neurobehavioral stress, and the possible involvement of the vasopressin type V1 receptor in sucrose solution intake. Male Wistar rats, of from different cohorts were used, subjected to a sedentary lifestyle (SED) or swimming training (TR - 1 h/day, 5×/week, for 8 weeks, with no added load). Weekly intake was verified in SED and TR rats after access to a sucrose solution 1×/week, 2 h/day, for eight weeks. Chronic effects of swimming and/or a sedentary lifestyle were carried out three days after the end of the physical exercise protocol. Swimming training reduced the intake of sucrose solution from the third week onwards in the two-bottle test measured once a week for 8 weeks. After the ending of the swimming protocol, sucrose intake was also reduced as per its preference. This reduced intake is probably correlated with the carbohydrate aspect of sucrose since saccharin intake was not affected. In addition, chronic swimming training was shown to reduce ingestive responses, increase neutral responses, without interfering with aversive, in the sucrose solution taste reactivity test. In addition, these results are not related to a depressive-like behavior, nor to neurobehavioral stress. Furthermore, treatment with vasopressin V1 receptor antagonist abolished the reduced sucrose intake in trained rats. The results suggest that swimming performed chronically is capable of reducing intake and preference for sucrose by decreasing the palatability of sucrose without causing depressive-type behavior or stress. In addition, the results also suggest that central V1 vasopressin receptors are part of the mechanisms activated to reduce sucrose intake in trained rats.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Milede Hanner Paes
- Research Center in Biological Sciences - NUPEB, Federal University of Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, MG, Brazil
| | | | - Leonardo Máximo Cardoso
- Research Center in Biological Sciences - NUPEB, Federal University of Ouro Preto, Ouro Preto, MG, Brazil
| | - Lisandra Brandino de Oliveira
- Department of Food and Medicine, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Alfenas, Alfenas, MG, Brazil.
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Eliason NL, Sharpe AL. Proopiomelanocortin projections to the nucleus accumbens modulate acquisition and maintenance of operant palatable pellet administration in mice. Physiol Behav 2023; 265:114176. [PMID: 36965574 PMCID: PMC10241194 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2023.114176] [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: 01/05/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/27/2023]
Abstract
Obesity is a crisis in the United States, producing many co-morbid diseases that can drastically decrease quality of life. While diet is a major focus for therapeutic intervention, the need to understand underlying appetitive neurocircuitry persists. Proopiomelanocortin (POMC) peptides are well-known for their anorexigenic activity, but also mediate reward and learning. The nucleus accumbens (NAcc) is best known for its role in reward-based learning, but the contribution of POMC projections to NAcc on feeding are controversial since the two major POMC-derived peptides (β-endorphin and α-MSH) have opposite effects on food intake. Our objective was to determine the effect of stimulating POMC projections in the NAcc on acquisition and maintenance of operant self-administration of a palatable food. Adult POMCCre mice were microinjected into the NAcc with a Cre-dependent retrograde adeno-associated viral vector expressing Gq Designer Receptors Exclusively Activated by Designer Drugs (DREADDs). Mice were trained to self-administer palatable 20-mg pellets in daily operant sessions. Acquisition of self-administration (fixed ratio 30) and baseline self-administration were measured in daily sessions, with mice receiving injections of either JHU37152 (DREADD agonist) or saline (i.p.) 15 min prior to the sessions. POMC neuron stimulation (JHU injection) before training sessions produced a significant increase in rate of acquisition and accuracy compared to the saline treated group, with no significant effect on rewards earned. Removal of POMC neuron stimulation before sessions initially reduced consumption with a gradual increase in responding for reinforcer over 3 days of saline injections. Reinstatement of POMC neuron stimulation (JHU) before the session resulted in a significant decrease in responding and rewards earned. These results suggest a complex role of POMC peptides within the NAcc that increase reward learning for a novel palatable food while decreasing consumption of the reinforcer following experience with it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole L Eliason
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, The University of Oklahoma Health Science Center, Oklahoma City, OK, 73117, United States of America
| | - Amanda L Sharpe
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, The University of Oklahoma Health Science Center, Oklahoma City, OK, 73117, United States of America; Harold Hamm Diabetes Center, The University of Oklahoma Health Science Center, Oklahoma City, OK, 73117, United States of America.
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6
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Jin R, Sun S, Hu Y, Zhang H, Sun X. Neuropeptides Modulate Feeding via the Dopamine Reward Pathway. Neurochem Res 2023:10.1007/s11064-023-03954-4. [PMID: 37233918 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-023-03954-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2023] [Revised: 05/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Dopamine (DA) is a catecholamine neurotransmitter widely distributed in the central nervous system. It participates in various physiological functions, such as feeding, anxiety, fear, sleeping and arousal. The regulation of feeding is exceptionally complex, involving energy homeostasis and reward motivation. The reward system comprises the ventral tegmental area (VTA), nucleus accumbens (NAc), hypothalamus, and limbic system. This paper illustrates the detailed mechanisms of eight typical orexigenic and anorexic neuropeptides that regulate food intake through the reward system. According to recent literature, neuropeptides released from the hypothalamus and other brain regions regulate reward feeding predominantly through dopaminergic neurons projecting from the VTA to the NAc. In addition, their effect on the dopaminergic system is mediated by the prefrontal cortex, paraventricular thalamus, laterodorsal tegmental area, amygdala, and complex neural circuits. Research on neuropeptides involved in reward feeding can help identify more targets to treat diseases with metabolic disorders, such as obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruijie Jin
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Medical College, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Shanbin Sun
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Medical College, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Yang Hu
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Medical College, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Hongfei Zhang
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Medical College, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Xiangrong Sun
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China.
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Markov DD, Dolotov OV, Grivennikov IA. The Melanocortin System: A Promising Target for the Development of New Antidepressant Drugs. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24076664. [PMID: 37047638 PMCID: PMC10094937 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24076664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Major depression is one of the most prevalent mental disorders, causing significant human suffering and socioeconomic loss. Since conventional antidepressants are not sufficiently effective, there is an urgent need to develop new antidepressant medications. Despite marked advances in the neurobiology of depression, the etiology and pathophysiology of this disease remain poorly understood. Classical and newer hypotheses of depression suggest that an imbalance of brain monoamines, dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPAA) and immune system, or impaired hippocampal neurogenesis and neurotrophic factors pathways are cause of depression. It is assumed that conventional antidepressants improve these closely related disturbances. The purpose of this review was to discuss the possibility of affecting these disturbances by targeting the melanocortin system, which includes adrenocorticotropic hormone-activated receptors and their peptide ligands (melanocortins). The melanocortin system is involved in the regulation of various processes in the brain and periphery. Melanocortins, including peripherally administered non-corticotropic agonists, regulate HPAA activity, exhibit anti-inflammatory effects, stimulate the levels of neurotrophic factors, and enhance hippocampal neurogenesis and neurotransmission. Therefore, endogenous melanocortins and their analogs are able to complexly affect the functioning of those body’s systems that are closely related to depression and the effects of antidepressants, thereby demonstrating a promising antidepressant potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dmitrii D. Markov
- National Research Center “Kurchatov Institute”, Kurchatov Sq. 2, 123182 Moscow, Russia
| | - Oleg V. Dolotov
- National Research Center “Kurchatov Institute”, Kurchatov Sq. 2, 123182 Moscow, Russia
- Faculty of Biology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Leninskie Gory, 119234 Moscow, Russia
| | - Igor A. Grivennikov
- National Research Center “Kurchatov Institute”, Kurchatov Sq. 2, 123182 Moscow, Russia
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Korgan AC, Oliveira-Abreu K, Wei W, Martin SLA, Bridges ZJD, Leal-Cardoso JH, Kaczorowski CC, O'Connell KMS. High sucrose consumption decouples intrinsic and synaptic excitability of AgRP neurons without altering body weight. Int J Obes (Lond) 2023; 47:224-235. [PMID: 36725979 PMCID: PMC10023568 DOI: 10.1038/s41366-023-01265-w] [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: 10/04/2022] [Revised: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE As the obesity epidemic continues, the understanding of macronutrient influence on central nervous system function is critical for understanding diet-induced obesity and potential therapeutics, particularly in light of the increased sugar content in processed foods. Previous research showed mixed effects of sucrose feeding on body weight gain but has yet to reveal insight into the impact of sucrose on hypothalamic functioning. Here, we explore the impact of liquid sucrose feeding for 12 weeks on body weight, body composition, caloric intake, and hypothalamic AgRP neuronal function and synaptic plasticity. METHODS Patch-clamp electrophysiology of hypothalamic AgRP neurons, metabolic phenotyping and food intake were performed on C57BL/6J mice. RESULTS While mice given sugar-sweetened water do not gain significant weight, they do show subtle differences in body composition and caloric intake. When given sugar-sweetened water, mice show similar alterations to AgRP neuronal excitability as in high-fat diet obese models. Increased sugar consumption also primes mice for increased caloric intake and weight gain when given access to a HFD. CONCLUSIONS Our results show that elevated sucrose consumption increased activity of AgRP neurons and altered synaptic excitability. This may contribute to obesity in mice and humans with access to more palatable (HFD) diets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Austin C Korgan
- The Jackson Laboratory for Mammalian Genetics, Bar Harbor, ME, USA
| | - Klausen Oliveira-Abreu
- The Jackson Laboratory for Mammalian Genetics, Bar Harbor, ME, USA
- Instituto Superior de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Estadual do Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
| | - Wei Wei
- The Jackson Laboratory for Mammalian Genetics, Bar Harbor, ME, USA
- Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | | | - Zoey J D Bridges
- The Jackson Laboratory for Mammalian Genetics, Bar Harbor, ME, USA
| | | | - Catherine C Kaczorowski
- The Jackson Laboratory for Mammalian Genetics, Bar Harbor, ME, USA
- Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, University of Maine, Orono, ME, USA
- Neuroscience Program, Graduate School of Biomedical Science, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Kristen M S O'Connell
- The Jackson Laboratory for Mammalian Genetics, Bar Harbor, ME, USA.
- Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, University of Maine, Orono, ME, USA.
- Neuroscience Program, Graduate School of Biomedical Science, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
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9
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Eliason NL, Martin L, Low MJ, Sharpe AL. Melanocortin receptor agonist melanotan-II microinjected in the nucleus accumbens decreases appetitive and consumptive responding for food. Neuropeptides 2022; 96:102289. [PMID: 36155088 PMCID: PMC10152796 DOI: 10.1016/j.npep.2022.102289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Revised: 08/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
RATIONALE Obesity is a major health problem worldwide. An understanding of the factors that drive feeding behaviors is key to the development of pharmaceuticals to decrease appetite and consumption. Proopiomelanocortin (POMC), the melanocortin peptide precursor, is essential in the regulation of body weight and ingestive behaviors. Deletion of POMC or impairment of melanocortin signaling in the brain results in hyperphagic obesity. Neurons in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus produce POMC and project to many areas including the nucleus accumbens (NAcc), which is well established in the rewarding and reinforcing effects of both food and drugs of abuse. OBJECTIVE These studies sought to determine the role of melanocortins in the NAcc on consumption of and motivation to obtain access to standard rodent chow. METHODS Male, C57BL/6J mice were microinjected bilaterally into the NAcc (100 nl/side) with the melanocortin receptor 3/4 agonist melanotan-II (MT-II; 0.1, 0.3, and 1 nmol), and ingestive behaviors were examined in both home cage and operant food self-administration experiments. In addition, the ability of MT-II in the NAcc to produce aversive properties or affect metabolic rate were tested. RESULTS MT-II injected into the NAcc significantly decreased consumption in both home cage and operant paradigms, and furthermore decreased appetitive responding to gain access to food. There was no development of conditioned taste avoidance or change in metabolic parameters following anorexic doses of MT-II. CONCLUSIONS MT-II in the NAcc decreased both the motivation to eat and the amount of food consumed without inducing an aversive state or affecting metabolic rate, suggesting a role for melanocortin signaling in the NAcc that is selective for appetite and satiety without affecting metabolism or producing an aversive state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole L Eliason
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, United States of America
| | - Lynne Martin
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Feik College of Pharmacy, University of the Incarnate Word, San Antonio, TX, United States of America
| | - Malcolm J Low
- Department of Molecular & Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, United States of America
| | - Amanda L Sharpe
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, United States of America; Harold Hamm Diabetes Center, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, United States of America.
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10
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Rahati S, Qorbani M, Naghavi A, Pishva H. Association and interaction of the MC4R rs17782313 polymorphism with plasma ghrelin, GLP-1, cortisol, food intake and eating behaviors in overweight/obese Iranian adults. BMC Endocr Disord 2022; 22:234. [PMID: 36123585 PMCID: PMC9487018 DOI: 10.1186/s12902-022-01129-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent studies have shown that obesity is largely influenced by heredity and created by the interactions between several genes and environmental and behavioral factors. This study aimed to examine association between variant rs17782313 near melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) gene and behavioral and hormonal factors then evaluated interactions between variant MC4R rs17782313 with behavioral and hormonal factors on obesity. METHODS This cross-sectional study included 403 subjects, overweight and/or obesity, aged 20-50 years from Iran. The MC4R rs17782313 data were measured by the PCR-RFLP method. Dietary intake, physical activity, stress, anxiety, depression, appetite and emotional eating were assessed by using validated questionnaires. Ghrelin, glucagon-like peptide-1 and cortisol were measured by radioimmunoassay in plasma samples. Participants were also divided into three groups based on rs17782313 genotype and BMI. RESULTS After adjustment for age, gender, energy intake and PA, significant associations were observed between food intake, appetite, emotional eating, stress and physical activity with MC4R rs17782313 (p ˂0.05). Also, significant interactions were observed between fat intake (p-interaction = 0.002), protein intake (p-interaction = 0.01), energy intake (p-interaction = 0.01), emotional eating (p-interaction = 0.02), appetite (p-interaction = 0.04), stress (p-interaction = 0.04), ghrelin (p-interaction = 0.03), cortisol (p-interaction = 0.04) and physical activity (p-interaction = 0.04) and MC4R rs17782313 in terms of BMI. CONCLUSION Interactions between the CC genotype and high intakes of fat and energy, emotional eating, high appetite, and too much stress with high levels of cortisol and ghrelin probably can have an effect on BMI in overweight/obese subjects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Rahati
- Department of Cellular - Molecular Nutrition, School of Nutrition Sciences and Dietetics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, PO Box: 14155-6447, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mostafa Qorbani
- Non-Communicable Diseases Research Center, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
| | - Anoosh Naghavi
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Resistant Tuberculosis Institute and Department of Genetics, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan, Iran
| | - Hamideh Pishva
- Department of Cellular - Molecular Nutrition, School of Nutrition Sciences and Dietetics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, PO Box: 14155-6447, Tehran, Iran.
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11
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Dunigan AI, Roseberry AG. Actions of feeding-related peptides on the mesolimbic dopamine system in regulation of natural and drug rewards. ADDICTION NEUROSCIENCE 2022; 2:100011. [PMID: 37220637 PMCID: PMC10201992 DOI: 10.1016/j.addicn.2022.100011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
The mesolimbic dopamine system is the primary neural circuit mediating motivation, reinforcement, and reward-related behavior. The activity of this system and multiple behaviors controlled by it are affected by changes in feeding and body weight, such as fasting, food restriction, or the development of obesity. Multiple different peptides and hormones that have been implicated in the control of feeding and body weight interact with the mesolimbic dopamine system to regulate many different dopamine-dependent, reward-related behaviors. In this review, we summarize the effects of a selected set of feeding-related peptides and hormones acting within the ventral tegmental area and nucleus accumbens to alter feeding, as well as food, drug, and social reward.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna I. Dunigan
- Department of Biology and Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
| | - Aaron G. Roseberry
- Department of Biology and Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
- Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
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12
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Copperi F, Kim JD, Diano S. Melanocortin Signaling Connecting Systemic Metabolism With Mood Disorders. Biol Psychiatry 2022; 91:879-887. [PMID: 34344535 PMCID: PMC8643363 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2021.05.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Revised: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 05/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Obesity and mood disorders are often overlapping pathologies that are prevalent public health concerns. Many studies have indicated a positive correlation between depression and obesity, although weight loss and decreased appetite are also recognized as features of depression. Accordingly, DSM-5 defines two subtypes of depression associated with changes in feeding: melancholic depression, characterized by anhedonia and associated with decreased feeding and appetite; and atypical depression, characterized by fatigue, sleepiness, hyperphagia, and weight gain. The central nervous system plays a key role in the regulation of feeding and mood, thus suggesting that overlapping neuronal circuits may be involved in their modulation. However, these circuits have yet to be completely characterized. The central melanocortin system, a circuitry characterized by the expression of specific peptides (pro-opiomelanocortins, agouti-related protein, and neuropeptide Y) and their melanocortin receptors, has been shown to be a key player in the regulation of feeding. In addition, the melanocortin system has also been shown to affect anxiety and depressive-like behavior, thus suggesting a possible role of the melanocortin system as a biological substrate linking feeding and depression. However, more studies are needed to fully understand this complex system and its role in regulating metabolic and mood disorders. In this review, we will discuss the current literature on the role of the melanocortin system in human and animal models in feeding and mood regulation, providing evidence of the biological interplay between anxiety, major depressive disorders, appetite, and body weight regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Copperi
- Institute of Human Nutrition, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032
| | - Jung Dae Kim
- Institute of Human Nutrition, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, 10032
| | - Sabrina Diano
- Institute of Human Nutrition, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York; Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York; Department of Physiology and Cellular Biophysics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York.
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13
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Rønnekleiv OK, Qiu J, Kelly MJ. Hypothalamic Kisspeptin Neurons and the Control of Homeostasis. Endocrinology 2022; 163:bqab253. [PMID: 34953135 PMCID: PMC8758343 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqab253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Hypothalamic kisspeptin (Kiss1) neurons provide indispensable excitatory transmission to gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons for the coordinated release of gonadotropins, estrous cyclicity, and ovulation. But maintaining reproductive functions is metabolically demanding so there must be a coordination with multiple homeostatic functions, and it is apparent that Kiss1 neurons play that role. There are 2 distinct populations of hypothalamic Kiss1 neurons, namely arcuate nucleus (Kiss1ARH) neurons and anteroventral periventricular and periventricular nucleus (Kiss1AVPV/PeN) neurons in rodents, both of which excite GnRH neurons via kisspeptin release but are differentially regulated by ovarian steroids. Estradiol (E2) increases the expression of kisspeptin in Kiss1AVPV/PeN neurons but decreases its expression in Kiss1ARH neurons. Also, Kiss1ARH neurons coexpress glutamate and Kiss1AVPV/PeN neurons coexpress gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA), both of which are upregulated by E2 in females. Also, Kiss1ARH neurons express critical metabolic hormone receptors, and these neurons are excited by insulin and leptin during the fed state. Moreover, Kiss1ARH neurons project to and excite the anorexigenic proopiomelanocortin neurons but inhibit the orexigenic neuropeptide Y/Agouti-related peptide neurons, highlighting their role in regulating feeding behavior. Kiss1ARH and Kiss1AVPV/PeN neurons also project to the preautonomic paraventricular nucleus (satiety) neurons and the dorsomedial nucleus (energy expenditure) neurons to differentially regulate their function via glutamate and GABA release, respectively. Therefore, this review will address not only how Kiss1 neurons govern GnRH release, but how they control other homeostatic functions through their peptidergic, glutamatergic and GABAergic synaptic connections, providing further evidence that Kiss1 neurons are the key neurons coordinating energy states with reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oline K Rønnekleiv
- Department of Chemical Physiology and Biochemistry, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
- Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006, USA
| | - Jian Qiu
- Department of Chemical Physiology and Biochemistry, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Martin J Kelly
- Department of Chemical Physiology and Biochemistry, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
- Division of Neuroscience, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, OR 97006, USA
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14
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Ulya T, Ardianto C, Anggreini P, Budiatin AS, Setyawan D, Khotib J. Quercetin promotes behavioral recovery and biomolecular changes of melanocortin-4 receptor in mice with ischemic stroke. J Basic Clin Physiol Pharmacol 2021; 32:349-355. [PMID: 34214302 DOI: 10.1515/jbcpp-2020-0490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Ischemic stroke is known as a common causes of disability, lower psychological well-being as well as preventable death. The pathogenesis of ischemic stroke process becomes worse immediately after oxidative stress occurs. One of the flavonoids with antioxidant abilities is quercetin. This study was aimed to investigate quercetin administration on the behavioral functions (motor and sensory) and expression of melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) in mice with ischemic stroke. METHODS Male ICR mice were divided into sham, stroke, stroke with quercetin 100, 150, and 200 mg/kg. The stroke model was performed by blocking the left common carotid artery for 2 h. Quercetin was intraperitoneally administered daily for seven days. Evaluation was conducted during two weeks after induction using ladder rung walking test and narrow beam test for motoric function and adhesive removal tape test for sensory function. On day-14 mice were sacrificed, MC4R expression in the dorsal striatum was determined using RT-PCR. RESULTS Stroke decreased the motor, sensory function and MC4R mRNA expression in dorsal striatum. Quercetin improved motor and sensory function, and upregulated expression of MC4R. CONCLUSIONS Quercetin administration after ischemic stroke improves behavioral function, possibly through the upregulation of MC4R in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tuhfatul Ulya
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Airlangga University, Surabaya, Indonesia
| | | | - Putri Anggreini
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Airlangga University, Surabaya, Indonesia
| | | | - Dwi Setyawan
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Airlangga University, Surabaya, Indonesia
| | - Junaidi Khotib
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Airlangga University, Surabaya, Indonesia
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15
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TRH in the nucleus accumbens acts downstream to α-MSH to decrease food intake in rats. Neurosci Lett 2020; 739:135403. [PMID: 32980456 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2020.135403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Revised: 09/11/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Feeding-regulatory peptides such as thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH), α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) and their receptors are expressed in brain regions involved in the homeostatic and hedonic control of food intake, such as the hypothalamus and the mesolimbic system, respectively. The nucleus accumbens (NAc) is part of the latter, a brain circuit involved in processing reward stimuli and the appetitive motivation of feeding. When TRH or α-MSH are administered in the NAc, both decrease food intake, through activating their respective receptors, TRH-R1 and MC4R. The actions of α-MSH as a homeostatic feeding-regulator involves the increase of hypothalamic TRH expression, thus, we aimed to identify whether TRH signaling in the NAc was also participating in α-MSH-induced reduction of food intake. α-MSH administration in the NAc of 48 h fasted rats reduced their food intake during the 2-h period of refeeding, increased accumbal TRH mRNA expression and decreased that of MC4R. Such downregulated MC4R mRNA levels implied a compensatory decrease of α-MSH actions in the NAc after the previous pathway stimulation. The co-administration of α-MSH along with an antisense oligonucleotide directed against pro-TRH mRNA in the NAc impaired the α-MSH-induced feeding reduction, supporting that the accumbal TRHergic pathway is downstream of α-MSH actions to inhibit feeding. Our results suggested that TRH in the NAc mediates some effects of α-MSH on inhibition of food intake; this supports the role of TRH not only as a homeostatic regulator but also as modulating the motivational aspects of feeding.
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16
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Micioni Di Bonaventura E, Botticelli L, Tomassoni D, Tayebati SK, Micioni Di Bonaventura MV, Cifani C. The Melanocortin System behind the Dysfunctional Eating Behaviors. Nutrients 2020; 12:E3502. [PMID: 33202557 PMCID: PMC7696960 DOI: 10.3390/nu12113502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Revised: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 11/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The dysfunction of melanocortin signaling has been associated with obesity, given the important role in the regulation of energy homeostasis, food intake, satiety and body weight. In the hypothalamus, the melanocortin-3 receptor (MC3R) and melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) contribute to the stability of these processes, but MC3R and MC4R are also localized in the mesolimbic dopamine system, the region that responds to the reinforcing properties of highly palatable food (HPF) and where these two receptors seem to affect food reward and motivation. Loss of function of the MC4R, resulting from genetic mutations, leads to overeating in humans, but to date, a clear understanding of the underlying mechanisms and behaviors that promote overconsumption of caloric foods remains unknown. Moreover, the MC4R demonstrated to be a crucial modulator of the stress response, factor that is known to be strictly related to binge eating behavior. In this review, we will explore the preclinical and clinical studies, and the controversies regarding the involvement of melanocortin system in altered eating patterns, especially binge eating behavior, food reward and motivation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Luca Botticelli
- School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, 62032 Camerino, Italy; (E.M.D.B.); (L.B.); (S.K.T.); (C.C.)
| | - Daniele Tomassoni
- School of Bioscience and Veterinary Medicine, University of Camerino, 62032 Camerino, Italy;
| | - Seyed Khosrow Tayebati
- School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, 62032 Camerino, Italy; (E.M.D.B.); (L.B.); (S.K.T.); (C.C.)
| | | | - Carlo Cifani
- School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, 62032 Camerino, Italy; (E.M.D.B.); (L.B.); (S.K.T.); (C.C.)
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17
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Gawliński D, Gawlińska K, Frankowska M, Filip M. Maternal high-sugar diet changes offspring vulnerability to reinstatement of cocaine-seeking behavior: Role of melanocortin-4 receptors. FASEB J 2020; 34:9192-9206. [PMID: 32421249 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202000163r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2020] [Revised: 04/16/2020] [Accepted: 04/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Maternal diet significantly influences the proper development of offspring in utero. Modifications of diet composition may lead to metabolic and mental disorders that may predispose offspring to a substance use disorder. We assessed the impact of a maternal high-sugar diet (HSD, rich in sucrose) consumed during pregnancy and lactation on the offspring phenotype in the context of the rewarding and motivational effects of cocaine and changes within the central melanocortin (MC) system. Using an intravenous cocaine self-administration model, we showed that maternal HSD leads to increased relapse of cocaine-seeking behavior in male offspring. In addition, we demonstrated that cocaine induces changes in the level of MC-4 receptors in the offspring brain, and these changes depend on maternal diet. These studies also reveal that an MC-4 receptor antagonist reduces the reinstatement of cocaine-seeking behavior, and offspring exposed to maternal HSD are more sensitive to its effects than offspring exposed to the maternal control diet. Taken together, the results suggest that a maternal HSD and MC-4 receptors play an important role in cocaine relapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dawid Gawliński
- Department of Drug Addiction Pharmacology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Poland
| | - Kinga Gawlińska
- Department of Drug Addiction Pharmacology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Poland
| | - Małgorzata Frankowska
- Department of Drug Addiction Pharmacology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Poland
| | - Małgorzata Filip
- Department of Drug Addiction Pharmacology, Maj Institute of Pharmacology Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Poland
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18
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Upadhya MA, Upadhya HM, Borkar CD, Choudhary AG, Singh U, Chavan P, Sakharkar A, Singru P, Subhedar NK, Kokare DM. Nicotine-induced Brain Stimulation Reward is Modulated by Melanocortin-4 Receptors in Ovariectomized Rats. Neuroscience 2020; 431:205-221. [PMID: 32035118 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2020.01.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2019] [Revised: 01/24/2020] [Accepted: 01/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Apart from reproduction, estrogen influences a multitude of processes. Increase in estrogen levels in women is known to promote reward probably mediated via the melanocortin and dopamine systems. Reduced estrogen in post-menopausal women attenuates reward, evoking the need for stimulation with greater rewarding salience. This is reflected in the well-recognized phenomena of difficulty in quitting and increased craving for nicotine in women following the onset of menopause. The present study aims at understanding the role of melanocortin receptors (MC-R) in nicotine-induced reward behavior following ovariectomy in rats. The MC4-R mRNA level was increased in ipsilateral nucleus accumbens (Acb) of the intact rats implanted with electrode in medial forebrain bundle and trained in intracranial self-stimulation (ICSS) paradigm. Additional groups of ICSS trained rats were ovariectomized (OVX) and subjected to reward evaluation. Trained OVX rats revealed a significant increase in threshold frequency and rightward shift in rate frequency curve, suggesting reward deficit behavior. However, pre-administration with nicotine, alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH) or NDP-MSH (MC4-R agonist) to OVX animals restored the rewarding activity in ICSS protocol; HS014 (MC4-R antagonist) suppressed the lever press activity. Prior treatment with sub-effective doses of α-MSH or NDP-MSH potentiated the reward effect of nicotine, but was attenuated by HS014. Alpha-MSH-immunoreactivity was decreased in the Acb shell, arcuate and paraventricular nucleus of hypothalamus, and ventral bed nucleus of stria terminalis in the OVX rats, while nicotine treatment restored the same. We suggest a role for the endogenous MC system, perhaps acting via MC4-R, in the nicotine-induced reward in OVX rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manoj A Upadhya
- Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Dr. Homi Bhabha Road, Pashan, Pune 411 008, Maharashtra, India; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University, Nagpur 440 033, India
| | - Harshita M Upadhya
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University, Nagpur 440 033, India
| | - Chandrashekhar D Borkar
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University, Nagpur 440 033, India
| | - Amit G Choudhary
- Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Dr. Homi Bhabha Road, Pashan, Pune 411 008, Maharashtra, India; Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University, Nagpur 440 033, India
| | - Uday Singh
- School of Biological Sciences, National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER), Bhubaneswar, Jatni, Odisha 752 050, India
| | - Priyanka Chavan
- Department of Biotechnology, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune 411 007, India
| | - Amul Sakharkar
- Department of Biotechnology, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Pune 411 007, India
| | - Praful Singru
- School of Biological Sciences, National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER), Bhubaneswar, Jatni, Odisha 752 050, India
| | - Nishikant K Subhedar
- Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Dr. Homi Bhabha Road, Pashan, Pune 411 008, Maharashtra, India
| | - Dadasaheb M Kokare
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University, Nagpur 440 033, India.
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19
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Rønnekleiv OK, Qiu J, Kelly MJ. Arcuate Kisspeptin Neurons Coordinate Reproductive Activities with Metabolism. Semin Reprod Med 2019; 37:131-140. [PMID: 31869841 DOI: 10.1055/s-0039-3400251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Hypothalamic control of fertility is the quintessential homeostatic function. However, fertility is metabolically demanding; so, there must be coordination between energy states and reproductive functions. Because gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons are devoid of many of the critical metabolic hormone receptors for sensing nutrient levels, it has long been recognized that the sensing of energy stores had to be done by neurons presynaptic to GnRH neurons. Some of the obvious players have been the anorexigenic proopiomelanocortin (POMC) and orexigenic neuropeptide Y (NPY)/agouti-related peptide (AgRP) neurons, both of which are in close apposition to the median eminence, a circumventricular organ. Indeed, POMC and NPY/AgRP neurons are inversely regulated by glucose and metabolic hormones including insulin and leptin. However, their synaptic connections with GnRH neurons are sparse and/or GnRH neurons are lacking the postsynaptic receptors to mediate the appropriate physiological response. Kisspeptin neurons were discovered in the early part of this century and subsequently shown to project to and control GnRH neuronal excitability. In fact, more recently the arcuate kisspeptin neurons have been identified as the command neurons driving pulsatile release of GnRH. Subsequently, it was shown that arcuate kisspeptin neurons express not only steroid hormone receptors but also metabolic hormone receptors such that similar to POMC neurons, they are excited by insulin and leptin. Therefore, based on the premise that arcuate kisspeptin neurons are the key neurons coordinating energy states with reproduction, we will review not only how these vital neurons control pulsatile GnRH release but how they control energy homeostasis through their synaptic connections with POMC and NPY/AgRP neurons and ultimately how E2 can regulate their excitability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oline K Rønnekleiv
- Department of Chemical Physiology and Biochemistry, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon.,Division of Neuroscience, National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, Oregon
| | - Jian Qiu
- Department of Chemical Physiology and Biochemistry, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Martin J Kelly
- Department of Chemical Physiology and Biochemistry, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon.,Division of Neuroscience, National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Beaverton, Oregon
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20
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The impact of sugar consumption on stress driven, emotional and addictive behaviors. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2019; 103:178-199. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2019.05.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2018] [Revised: 03/14/2019] [Accepted: 05/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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21
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Castro DC, Bruchas MR. A Motivational and Neuropeptidergic Hub: Anatomical and Functional Diversity within the Nucleus Accumbens Shell. Neuron 2019; 102:529-552. [PMID: 31071288 PMCID: PMC6528838 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2019.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 152] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2018] [Revised: 02/22/2019] [Accepted: 03/01/2019] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
The mesocorticolimbic pathway is canonically known as the "reward pathway." Embedded within the center of this circuit is the striatum, a massive and complex network hub that synthesizes motivation, affect, learning, cognition, stress, and sensorimotor information. Although striatal subregions collectively share many anatomical and functional similarities, it has become increasingly clear that it is an extraordinarily heterogeneous region. In particular, the nucleus accumbens (NAc) medial shell has repeatedly demonstrated that the rules dictated by more dorsal aspects of the striatum do not apply or are even reversed in functional logic. These discrepancies are perhaps most easily captured when isolating the functions of various neuromodulatory peptide systems within the striatum. Endogenous peptides are thought to play a critical role in modulating striatal signals to either amplify or dampen evoked behaviors. Here we describe the anatomical-functional backdrop upon which several neuropeptides act within the NAc to modulate behavior, with a specific emphasis on nucleus accumbens medial shell and stress responsivity. Additionally, we propose that, as the field continues to dissect fast neurotransmitter systems within the NAc, we must also provide considerable contextual weight to the roles local peptides play in modulating these circuits to more comprehensively understand how this important subregion gates motivated behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel C Castro
- Center for Neurobiology of Addiction, Pain, and Emotion, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Michael R Bruchas
- Center for Neurobiology of Addiction, Pain, and Emotion, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA; Department of Pharmacology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.
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22
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Gumbs MCR, Vuuregge AH, Eggels L, Unmehopa UA, Lamuadni K, Mul JD, la Fleur SE. Afferent neuropeptide Y projections to the ventral tegmental area in normal-weight male Wistar rats. J Comp Neurol 2019; 527:2659-2674. [PMID: 30950054 PMCID: PMC6767444 DOI: 10.1002/cne.24698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2018] [Accepted: 04/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The hypothalamic neuropeptide Y (NPY) circuitry is a key regulator of feeding behavior. NPY also acts in the mesolimbic dopaminergic circuitry, where it can increase motivational aspects of feeding behavior through effects on dopamine output in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) and on neurotransmission in the ventral tegmental area (VTA). Endogenous NPY in the NAc originates from local interneurons and afferent projections from the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus (Arc). However, the origin of endogenous NPY in the VTA is unknown. We determined, in normal‐weight male Wistar rats, if the source of VTA NPY is local, and/or whether it is derived from VTA‐projecting neurons. Immunocytochemistry, in situ hybridization and RT‐qPCR were utilized, when appropriate in combination with colchicine treatment or 24 hr fasting, to assess NPY/Npy expression locally in the VTA. Retrograde tracing using cholera toxin beta (CTB) in the VTA, fluorescent immunocytochemistry and confocal microscopy were used to determine NPY‐immunoreactive afferents to the VTA. NPY in the VTA was observed in fibers, but not following colchicine pretreatment. No NPY‐ or Npy‐expressing cell bodies were observed in the VTA. Fasting for 24 hr, which increased Npy expression in the Arc, failed to induce Npy expression in the VTA. Double‐labeling with CTB and NPY was observed in the Arc and in the ventrolateral medulla. Thus, VTA NPY originates from the hypothalamic Arc and the ventrolateral medulla of the brainstem in normal‐weight male Wistar rats. These afferent connections link hypothalamic and brainstem processing of physiologic state to VTA‐driven motivational behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Myrtille C R Gumbs
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism & Laboratory of Endocrinology, Department of Clinical Chemistry, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Metabolism and Reward Group, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, an Institute of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Anna H Vuuregge
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism & Laboratory of Endocrinology, Department of Clinical Chemistry, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Leslie Eggels
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism & Laboratory of Endocrinology, Department of Clinical Chemistry, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Metabolism and Reward Group, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, an Institute of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Unga A Unmehopa
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism & Laboratory of Endocrinology, Department of Clinical Chemistry, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Khalid Lamuadni
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism & Laboratory of Endocrinology, Department of Clinical Chemistry, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Joram D Mul
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism & Laboratory of Endocrinology, Department of Clinical Chemistry, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Metabolism and Reward Group, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, an Institute of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Susanne E la Fleur
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism & Laboratory of Endocrinology, Department of Clinical Chemistry, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.,Metabolism and Reward Group, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, an Institute of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Olszewski PK, Wood EL, Klockars A, Levine AS. Excessive Consumption of Sugar: an Insatiable Drive for Reward. Curr Nutr Rep 2019; 8:120-128. [DOI: 10.1007/s13668-019-0270-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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Baldini G, Phelan KD. The melanocortin pathway and control of appetite-progress and therapeutic implications. J Endocrinol 2019; 241:R1-R33. [PMID: 30812013 PMCID: PMC6500576 DOI: 10.1530/joe-18-0596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 125] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2019] [Accepted: 01/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The initial discovery that ob/ob mice become obese because of a recessive mutation of the leptin gene has been crucial to discover the melanocortin pathway to control appetite. In the melanocortin pathway, the fed state is signaled by abundance of circulating hormones such as leptin and insulin, which bind to receptors expressed at the surface of pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons to promote processing of POMC to the mature hormone α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH). The α-MSH released by POMC neurons then signals to decrease energy intake by binding to melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) expressed by MC4R neurons to the paraventricular nucleus (PVN). Conversely, in the 'starved state' activity of agouti-related neuropeptide (AgRP) and of neuropeptide Y (NPY)-expressing neurons is increased by decreased levels of circulating leptin and insulin and by the orexigenic hormone ghrelin to promote food intake. This initial understanding of the melanocortin pathway has recently been implemented by the description of the complex neuronal circuit that controls the activity of POMC, AgRP/NPY and MC4R neurons and downstream signaling by these neurons. This review summarizes the progress done on the melanocortin pathway and describes how obesity alters this pathway to disrupt energy homeostasis. We also describe progress on how leptin and insulin receptors signal in POMC neurons, how MC4R signals and how altered expression and traffic of MC4R change the acute signaling and desensitization properties of the receptor. We also describe how the discovery of the melanocortin pathway has led to the use of melanocortin agonists to treat obesity derived from genetic disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Baldini
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
| | - Kevin D. Phelan
- Department of Neurobiology & Developmental Sciences, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
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Ekimova IV, Gazizova AR, Karpenko MN, Plaksina DV. [Signs of anhedonia and destructive changes in the ventral tegmental area of the midbrain in the model of the preclinical Parkinson's disease stage in experiment]. Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova 2018; 118:61-67. [PMID: 30335074 DOI: 10.17116/jnevro201811809161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is one of incurable socially significant diseases. Success in the PD treatment is associated with the development of the technology of preclinical diagnosis and neuroprotective treatment of the disease. In the experimental model of the preclinical PD stage in rats created by intranasal administration of the proteasome inhibitor lactacystin, signs of depression as an anhedonia symptom were detected for the first time. Anhedonia was combined with the death of about one third of dopamine (DA)-ergic neurons in the ventral tegmental area of the midbrain and their axons in the ventral striatum; and a decrease of dopamine concentration in the ventral striatum (by 40%) and the tyrosine hydroxylase level in surviving DA-ergic neurons. The signs of depression may be an early marker of PD, signaling the onset of neurodegeneration in the mesolimbic brain system and increasing functional deficit of the DA-ergic transmission in the ventral striatum. The study results can be applied to the development of the technology of preclinical PD diagnosis and pathogenetic therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- I V Ekimova
- Sechenov Institute of Evolutionary Physiology and Biochemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - A R Gazizova
- Sechenov Institute of Evolutionary Physiology and Biochemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - M N Karpenko
- Sechenov Institute of Evolutionary Physiology and Biochemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg, Russia; Institute of Experimental Medicine, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - D V Plaksina
- Sechenov Institute of Evolutionary Physiology and Biochemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, St. Petersburg, Russia
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Qiu J, Rivera HM, Bosch MA, Padilla SL, Stincic TL, Palmiter RD, Kelly MJ, Rønnekleiv OK. Estrogenic-dependent glutamatergic neurotransmission from kisspeptin neurons governs feeding circuits in females. eLife 2018; 7:e35656. [PMID: 30079889 PMCID: PMC6103748 DOI: 10.7554/elife.35656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2018] [Accepted: 07/24/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The neuropeptides tachykinin2 (Tac2) and kisspeptin (Kiss1) in hypothalamic arcuate nucleus Kiss1 (Kiss1ARH) neurons are essential for pulsatile release of GnRH and reproduction. Since 17β-estradiol (E2) decreases Kiss1 and Tac2 mRNA expression in Kiss1ARH neurons, the role of Kiss1ARH neurons during E2-driven anorexigenic states and their coordination of POMC and NPY/AgRP feeding circuits have been largely ignored. Presently, we show that E2 augmented the excitability of Kiss1ARH neurons by amplifying Cacna1g, Hcn1 and Hcn2 mRNA expression and T-type calcium and h-currents. E2 increased Slc17a6 mRNA expression and glutamatergic synaptic input to arcuate neurons, which excited POMC and inhibited NPY/AgRP neurons via metabotropic receptors. Deleting Slc17a6 in Kiss1 neurons eliminated glutamate release and led to conditioned place preference for sucrose in E2-treated KO female mice. Therefore, the E2-driven increase in Kiss1 neuronal excitability and glutamate neurotransmission may play a key role in governing the motivational drive for palatable food in females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian Qiu
- Department of Physiology and PharmacologyOregon Health and Science UniversityPortlandUnited States
| | - Heidi M Rivera
- Department of Physiology and PharmacologyOregon Health and Science UniversityPortlandUnited States
| | - Martha A Bosch
- Department of Physiology and PharmacologyOregon Health and Science UniversityPortlandUnited States
| | - Stephanie L Padilla
- Department of BiochemistryHoward Hughes Medical Institute, University of WashingtonSeattleUnited States
| | - Todd L Stincic
- Department of Physiology and PharmacologyOregon Health and Science UniversityPortlandUnited States
| | - Richard D Palmiter
- Department of BiochemistryHoward Hughes Medical Institute, University of WashingtonSeattleUnited States
| | - Martin J Kelly
- Department of Physiology and PharmacologyOregon Health and Science UniversityPortlandUnited States
- Division of NeuroscienceOregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science UniversityBeavertonUnited States
| | - Oline K Rønnekleiv
- Department of Physiology and PharmacologyOregon Health and Science UniversityPortlandUnited States
- Division of NeuroscienceOregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health and Science UniversityBeavertonUnited States
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Leigh SJ, Lee F, Morris MJ. Hyperpalatability and the Generation of Obesity: Roles of Environment, Stress Exposure and Individual Difference. Curr Obes Rep 2018; 7:6-18. [PMID: 29435959 DOI: 10.1007/s13679-018-0292-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW This review investigates how exposure to palatable food and its associated cues alters appetite regulation and feeding behaviour to drive overeating and weight gain. RECENT FINDINGS Both supraphysiological and physiological feeding systems are affected by exposure to palatable foods and its associated cues. Preclinical research, largely using rodents, has demonstrated that palatable food modulates feeding-related neural systems and food-seeking behaviour by recruiting the mesolimbic reward pathway. This is supported by studies in adolescents which have shown that mesolimbic activity in response to palatable food cues and consumption predicts future weight gain. Additionally, stress exposure, environmental factors and individual susceptibility have been shown to modulate the effects of highly palatable foods on behaviour. Further preclinical research using free-choice diets modelling the modern obesogenic environment is needed to identify how palatable foods drive overeating. Moreover, future clinical research would benefit from more appropriate quantification of palatability, making use of rating systems and surveys.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah-Jane Leigh
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medical Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Frances Lee
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medical Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Margaret J Morris
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medical Sciences, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia.
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Abstract
Hypothalamic integration of gastrointestinal and adipose tissue-derived hormones serves as a key element of neuroendocrine control of food intake. Leptin, adiponectin, oleoylethanolamide, cholecystokinin, and ghrelin, to name a few, are in a constant "cross talk" with the feeding-related brain circuits that encompass hypothalamic populations synthesizing anorexigens (melanocortins, CART, oxytocin) and orexigens (Agouti-related protein, neuropeptide Y, orexins). While this integrated neuroendocrine circuit successfully ensures that enough energy is acquired, it does not seem to be equally efficient in preventing excessive energy intake, especially in the obesogenic environment in which highly caloric and palatable food is constantly available. The current review presents an overview of intricate mechanisms underlying hypothalamic integration of energy balance-related peripheral endocrine input. We discuss vulnerabilities and maladaptive neuroregulatory processes, including changes in hypothalamic neuronal plasticity that propel overeating despite negative consequences.
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Markov DD, Yatsenko KA, Inozemtseva LS, Grivennikov IA, Myasoedov NF, Dolotov OV. Systemic N-terminal fragments of adrenocorticotropin reduce inflammation- and stress-induced anhedonia in rats. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2017; 82:173-186. [PMID: 28551512 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2017.04.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2016] [Revised: 03/20/2017] [Accepted: 04/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Emerging evidence implicates impaired self-regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and inflammation as important and closely related components of the pathophysiology of major depression. Antidepressants show anti-inflammatory effects and are suggested to enhance glucocorticoid feedback inhibition of the HPA axis. HPA axis activity is also negatively self-regulated by the adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), a potent anti-inflammatory peptide activating five subtypes of melanocortin receptors (MCRs). There are indications that ACTH-mediated feedback can be activated by noncorticotropic N-terminal ACTH fragments such as a potent anti-inflammatory MC1/3/4/5R agonist α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH), corresponding to ACTH(1-13), and a MC3/5R agonist ACTH(4-10). We investigated whether intraperitoneal administration of rats with these peptides affects anhedonia, which is a core symptom of depression. Inflammation-related anhedonia was induced by a single intraperitoneal administration of a low dose (0.025mg/kg) of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Stress-related anhedonia was induced by the chronic unpredictable stress (CUS) procedure. The sucrose preference test was used to detect anhedonia. We found that ACTH(4-10) pretreatment decreased LPS-induced increase in serum corticosterone and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and a MC3/4R antagonist SHU9119 blocked this effect. Both α-MSH and ACTH(4-10) alleviated LPS-induced anhedonia. In the CUS model, these peptides reduced anhedonia and normalized body weight gain. The data indicate that systemic α-MSH and ACTH(4-10) produce an antidepressant-like effect on anhedonia induced by stress or inflammation, the stimuli that trigger the release of ACTH and α-MSH into the bloodstream. The results suggest a counterbalancing role of circulating melanocortins in depression and point to a new approach for antidepressant treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dmitrii D Markov
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Kurchatov sq., 2, Moscow, 123182, Russia
| | - Ksenia A Yatsenko
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Kurchatov sq., 2, Moscow, 123182, Russia
| | - Lyudmila S Inozemtseva
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Kurchatov sq., 2, Moscow, 123182, Russia
| | - Igor A Grivennikov
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Kurchatov sq., 2, Moscow, 123182, Russia
| | - Nikolai F Myasoedov
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Kurchatov sq., 2, Moscow, 123182, Russia; Mental Health Research Center, Russian Academy of Medical Sciences Kashirskoe sh., 34, Moscow, 115522, Russia
| | - Oleg V Dolotov
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Kurchatov sq., 2, Moscow, 123182, Russia.
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Altered sucrose self-administration following injection of melanocortin receptor agonists and antagonists into the ventral tegmental area. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2017; 234:1683-1692. [PMID: 28243712 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-017-4570-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2016] [Accepted: 02/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES Alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (αMSH) and agouti-related protein (AgRP) are antagonistic neuropeptides that play an important role in the control of feeding and body weight through their central actions on the melanocortin-3 and melanocortin-4 receptors. Increasing evidence indicates that αMSH and AgRP can interact with the mesolimbic dopamine system to regulate feeding as well as other behaviors. For example, we have shown previously that injection of melanocortin receptor agonists and antagonists into the ventral tegmental area (VTA) alters both normal home-cage feeding and the intake of sucrose solutions, but it remains unknown whether αMSH and AgRP can also act in the VTA to affect reward-related feeding. METHODS We tested whether injection of the melanocortin receptor agonist, MTII, or the melanocortin receptor antagonist, SHU9119, directly into the VTA affected operant responding maintained by sucrose pellets in self-administration assays. RESULTS Injection of MTII into the VTA decreased operant responding maintained by sucrose pellets on both fixed ratio and progressive ratio schedules of reinforcement, whereas SHU9119 increased operant responding under fixed ratio, but not progressive ratio schedules. MTII also increased and SHU9119 decreased 24-h home-cage food intake. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates that αMSH and AgRP act in the VTA to affect sucrose self-administration. Thus, it adds critical information to the growing literature showing that in addition to their well-characterized role in controlling "need-based" feeding, αMSH and AgRP can also act on the mesolimbic dopamine system to control reward-related behavior.
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Dore R, Levata L, Lehnert H, Schulz C. Nesfatin-1: functions and physiology of a novel regulatory peptide. J Endocrinol 2017; 232:R45-R65. [PMID: 27754932 DOI: 10.1530/joe-16-0361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 87] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2016] [Accepted: 10/17/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Nesfatin-1 was identified in 2006 as a potent anorexigenic peptide involved in the regulation of homeostatic feeding. It is processed from the precursor-peptide NEFA/nucleobindin 2 (NUCB2), which is expressed both in the central nervous system as well as in the periphery, from where it can access the brain via non-saturable transmembrane diffusion. In hypothalamus and brainstem, nesfatin-1 recruits the oxytocin, the melancortin and other systems to relay its anorexigenic properties. NUCB2/nesfatin-1 peptide expression in reward-related areas suggests that nesfatin-1 might also be involved in hedonic feeding. Besides its initially discovered anorexigenic properties, over the last years, other important functions of nesfatin-1 have been discovered, many of them related to energy homeostasis, e.g. energy expenditure and glucose homeostasis. Nesfatin-1 is not only affecting these physiological processes but also the alterations of the metabolic state (e.g. fat mass, glycemic state) have an impact on the synthesis and release of NUCB2 and/or nesfatin-1. Furthermore, nesfatin-1 exerts pleiotropic actions at the level of cardiovascular and digestive systems, as well as plays a role in stress response, behavior, sleep and reproduction. Despite the recent advances in nesfatin-1 research, a putative receptor has not been identified and furthermore potentially distinct functions of nesfatin-1 and its precursor NUCB2 have not been dissected yet. To tackle these open questions will be the major objectives of future research to broaden our knowledge on NUCB2/nesfatin-1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riccardo Dore
- Department of Internal Medicine ICenter of Brain, Behavior and Metabolism (CBBM), University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Luka Levata
- Department of Internal Medicine ICenter of Brain, Behavior and Metabolism (CBBM), University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Hendrik Lehnert
- Department of Internal Medicine ICenter of Brain, Behavior and Metabolism (CBBM), University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Carla Schulz
- Department of Internal Medicine ICenter of Brain, Behavior and Metabolism (CBBM), University of Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
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Abstract
Many of the neurocircuits and hormones known to underlie the sensations of hunger and satiety also substantially alter the activity of the dopaminergic reward system. Much interest lies in the ways that hunger, satiety, and reward tie together, as the epidemic of obesity seems tied to the recent development and mass availability of highly palatable foods. In this review, we will first discuss the basic neurocircuitry of the midbrain and basal forebrain reward system. We will elaborate how several important mediators of hunger-the agouti-related protein neurons of the arcuate nucleus, the lateral hypothalamic nucleus, and ghrelin-enhance the sensitivity of the dopaminergic reward system. Then, we will elaborate how mediators of satiety-the nucleus tractus solitarius, pro-opiomelanocortin neurons of the arcuate nucleus, and its peripheral hormonal influences such as leptin-reduce the reward system sensitivity. We hope to provide a template by which future research may identify the ways in which highly rewarding foods bypass this balanced system to produce excessive food consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan Michael Cassidy
- Brown Foundation of the Institute of Molecular Medicine for the Prevention of Human Diseases of McGovern Medical School, Neuroscience Program MD Anderson Cancer Center and UTHealth Graduate School of Biological Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
- *Correspondence: Ryan Michael Cassidy,
| | - Qingchun Tong
- Brown Foundation of the Institute of Molecular Medicine for the Prevention of Human Diseases of McGovern Medical School, Neuroscience Program MD Anderson Cancer Center and UTHealth Graduate School of Biological Sciences, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX, USA
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Melanocortin 3 Receptor Signaling in Midbrain Dopamine Neurons Increases the Motivation for Food Reward. Neuropsychopharmacology 2016; 41:2241-51. [PMID: 26852738 PMCID: PMC4946052 DOI: 10.1038/npp.2016.19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2015] [Revised: 01/31/2016] [Accepted: 02/01/2016] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
The central melanocortin (MC) system mediates its effects on food intake via MC3 (MC3R) and MC4 receptors (MC4R). Although the role of MC4R in meal size determination, satiation, food preference, and motivation is well established, the involvement of MC3R in the modulation of food intake has been less explored. Here, we investigated the role of MC3R on the incentive motivation for food, which is a crucial component of feeding behavior. Dopaminergic neurons within the ventral tegmental area (VTA) have a crucial role in the motivation for food. We here report that MC3Rs are expressed on VTA dopaminergic neurons and that pro-opiomelanocortinergic (POMC) neurons in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus (Arc) innervate these VTA dopaminergic neurons. Our findings show that intracerebroventricular or intra-VTA infusion of the selective MC3R agonist γMSH increases responding for sucrose under a progressive ratio schedule of reinforcement, but not free sucrose consumption in rats. Furthermore, ex vivo electrophysiological recordings show increased VTA dopaminergic neuronal activity upon γMSH application. Consistent with a dopamine-mediated effect of γMSH, the increased motivation for sucrose after intra-VTA infusion of γMSH was blocked by pretreatment with the dopamine receptor antagonist α-flupenthixol. Taken together, we demonstrate an Arc POMC projection onto VTA dopaminergic neurons that modulates motivation for palatable food via activation of MC3R signaling.
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Intermittent access to a sucrose solution impairs metabolism in obesity-prone but not obesity-resistant mice. Physiol Behav 2016; 154:175-83. [DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2015.11.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2015] [Revised: 11/09/2015] [Accepted: 11/15/2015] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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Obici S, Magrisso IJ, Ghazarian AS, Shirazian A, Miller JR, Loyd CM, Begg DP, Krawczewski Carhuatanta KA, Haas MK, Davis JF, Woods SC, Sandoval DA, Seeley RJ, Goodyear LJ, Pothos EN, Mul JD. Moderate voluntary exercise attenuates the metabolic syndrome in melanocortin-4 receptor-deficient rats showing central dopaminergic dysregulation. Mol Metab 2015; 4:692-705. [PMID: 26500841 PMCID: PMC4588435 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmet.2015.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2015] [Revised: 07/07/2015] [Accepted: 07/09/2015] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective Melanocortin-4 receptors (MC4Rs) are highly expressed by dopamine-secreting neurons of the mesolimbic tract, but their functional role has not been fully resolved. Voluntary wheel running (VWR) induces adaptations in the mesolimbic dopamine system and has a myriad of long-term beneficial effects on health. In the present experiments we asked whether MC4R function regulates the effects of VWR, and whether VWR ameliorates MC4R-associated symptoms of the metabolic syndrome. Methods Electrically evoked dopamine release was measured in slice preparations from sedentary wild-type and MC4R-deficient Mc4rK314X (HOM) rats. VWR was assessed in wild-type and HOM rats, and in MC4R-deficient loxTBMc4r mice, wild-type mice body weight-matched to loxTBMc4r mice, and wild-type mice with intracerebroventricular administration of the MC4R antagonist SHU9119. Mesolimbic dopamine system function (gene/protein expression) and metabolic parameters were examined in wheel-running and sedentary wild-type and HOM rats. Results Sedentary obese HOM rats had increased electrically evoked dopamine release in several ventral tegmental area (VTA) projection sites compared to wild-type controls. MC4R loss-of-function decreased VWR, and this was partially independent of body weight. HOM wheel-runners had attenuated markers of intracellular D1-type dopamine receptor signaling despite increased dopamine flux in the VTA. VWR increased and decreased ΔFosB levels in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) of wild-type and HOM runners, respectively. VWR improved metabolic parameters in wild-type wheel-runners. Finally, moderate voluntary exercise corrected many aspects of the metabolic syndrome in HOM runners. Conclusions Central dopamine dysregulation during VWR reinforces the link between MC4R function and molecular and behavioral responding to rewards. The data also suggest that exercise can be a successful lifestyle intervention in MC4R-haploinsufficient individuals despite reduced positive reinforcement during exercise training. MC4R-deficiency causes metabolic syndrome. Loss of MC4R signaling decreases voluntary wheel running (VWR). Despite moderate amounts of VWR, MC4R-associated metabolic syndrome is severely attenuated. MC4R-deficiency is associated with mesolimbic dopamine dysregulation during VWR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvana Obici
- Metabolic Diseases Institute, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - I Jack Magrisso
- Metabolic Diseases Institute, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Armen S Ghazarian
- Programs in Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics and Neuroscience, Sackler School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences and Department of Integrative Physiology and Pathobiology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Alireza Shirazian
- Programs in Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics and Neuroscience, Sackler School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences and Department of Integrative Physiology and Pathobiology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jonas R Miller
- Programs in Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics and Neuroscience, Sackler School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences and Department of Integrative Physiology and Pathobiology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Christine M Loyd
- Metabolic Diseases Institute, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Denovan P Begg
- Metabolic Diseases Institute, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA ; School of Psychology, UNSW Australia, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | | | - Michael K Haas
- Metabolic Diseases Institute, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Jon F Davis
- Metabolic Diseases Institute, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Stephen C Woods
- Metabolic Diseases Institute, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Darleen A Sandoval
- North Campus Research Complex, Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Randy J Seeley
- North Campus Research Complex, Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | | | - Emmanuel N Pothos
- Programs in Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics and Neuroscience, Sackler School of Graduate Biomedical Sciences and Department of Integrative Physiology and Pathobiology, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Joram D Mul
- Metabolic Diseases Institute, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA ; Joslin Diabetes Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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