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Rasic-Markovic A, Djuric E, Skrijelj D, Bjekic-Macut J, Ignjatovic Đ, Sutulovic N, Hrncic D, Mladenovic D, Marković A, Radenković S, Radić L, Radunovic N, Stanojlovic O. Neuroactive steroids in the neuroendocrine control of food intake, metabolism, and reproduction. Endocrine 2024; 85:1050-1057. [PMID: 38635064 DOI: 10.1007/s12020-024-03755-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
Neuroactive steroids are a type of steroid hormones produced within the nervous system or in peripheral glands and then transported to the brain to exert their neuromodulatory effects. Neuroactive steroids have pleiotropic effects, that include promoting myelination, neuroplasticity, and brain development. They also regulate important physiological functions, such as metabolism, feeding, reproduction, and stress response. The homoeostatic processes of metabolism and reproduction are closely linked and mutually dependent. Reproductive events, such as pregnancy, bring about significant changes in metabolism, and metabolic status may affect reproductive function in mammals. In females, the regulation of reproduction and energy balance is controlled by the fluctuations of oestradiol and progesterone throughout the menstrual cycle. Neurosteroids play a key role in the neuroendocrine control of reproduction. The synthesis of neuroestradiol and neuroprogesterone within the brain is a crucial process that facilitates the release of GnRH and LH, which in turn, regulate the transition from oestrogen-negative to oestrogen-positive feedback. In addition to their function in the reproductive system, oestrogen has a key role in the regulation of energy homoeostasis by acting at central and peripheral levels. The oestrogenic effects on body weight homoeostasis are primarily mediated by oestrogen receptors-α (ERα), which are abundantly expressed in multiple brain regions that are implicated in the regulation of food intake, basal metabolism, thermogenesis, and brown tissue distribution. The tight interplay between energy balance and reproductive physiology is facilitated by shared regulatory pathways, namely POMC, NPY and kisspeptin neurons, which are targets of oestrogen regulation and likely participate in different aspects of the joint control of energy balance and reproductive function. The aim of this review is to present a summary of the progress made in uncovering shared regulatory pathways that facilitate the tight coupling between energy balance and reproductive physiology, as well as their reciprocal interactions and the modulation induced by neurosteroids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Rasic-Markovic
- Institute of Medical Physiology "Richard Burian", School of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia.
| | - Emilija Djuric
- Institute of Medical Physiology "Richard Burian", School of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Daniel Skrijelj
- Institute of Medical Physiology "Richard Burian", School of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Jelica Bjekic-Macut
- Department of Endocrinology, UMC Bežanijska kosa, School of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Đurđica Ignjatovic
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković" - National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Nikola Sutulovic
- Institute of Medical Physiology "Richard Burian", School of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Dragan Hrncic
- Institute of Medical Physiology "Richard Burian", School of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Dusan Mladenovic
- Institute of Pathophysiology, School of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Aleksandra Marković
- Department of Endocrinology, Internal Medicine Clinic, University Clinical Centre of the Republic of Srpska, Faculty of Medicine, University of Banja Luka, Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Saša Radenković
- Clinic for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases, University Clinical Center Niš, Faculty of Medicine, University of Niš, Niš, Serbia
| | - Lena Radić
- Clinic for Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolic Diseases, University Clinical Centre of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia
| | | | - Olivera Stanojlovic
- Institute of Medical Physiology "Richard Burian", School of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
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Nutrition and Calcitonin Gene Related Peptide (CGRP) in Migraine. Nutrients 2023; 15:nu15020289. [PMID: 36678160 PMCID: PMC9864721 DOI: 10.3390/nu15020289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 12/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Targeting calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and its receptor by antibodies and antagonists was a breakthrough in migraine prevention and treatment. However, not all migraine patients respond to CGRP-based therapy and a fraction of those who respond complain of aliments mainly in the gastrointestinal tract. In addition, CGRP and migraine are associated with obesity and metabolic diseases, including diabetes. Therefore, CGRP may play an important role in the functioning of the gut-brain-microflora axis. CGRP secretion may be modulated by dietary compounds associated with the disruption of calcium signaling and upregulation of mitogen-activated kinase phosphatases 1 and 3. CGRP may display anorexigenic properties through induction of anorexigenic neuropeptides, such as cholecystokinin and/or inhibit orexigenic neuropeptides, such as neuropeptide Y and melanin-concentrating hormone CH, resulting in the suppression of food intake, functionally coupled to the activation of the hypothalamic 3',5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate. The anorexigenic action of CGRP observed in animal studies may reflect its general potential to control appetite/satiety or general food intake. Therefore, dietary nutrients may modulate CGRP, and CGRP may modulate their intake. Therefore, anti-CGRP therapy should consider this mutual dependence to increase the efficacy of the therapy and reduce its unwanted side effects. This narrative review presents information on molecular aspects of the interaction between dietary nutrients and CGRP and their reported and prospective use to improve anti-CGRP therapy in migraine.
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Ghosh-Swaby OR, Reichelt AC, Sheppard PAS, Davies J, Bussey TJ, Saksida LM. Metabolic hormones mediate cognition. Front Neuroendocrinol 2022; 66:101009. [PMID: 35679900 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2022.101009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Revised: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Recent biochemical and behavioural evidence indicates that metabolic hormones not only regulate energy intake and nutrient content, but also modulate plasticity and cognition in the central nervous system. Disruptions in metabolic hormone signalling may provide a link between metabolic syndromes like obesity and diabetes, and cognitive impairment. For example, altered metabolic homeostasis in obesity is a strong determinant of the severity of age-related cognitive decline and neurodegenerative disease. Here we review the evidence that eating behaviours and metabolic hormones-particularly ghrelin, leptin, and insulin-are key players in the delicate regulation of neural plasticity and cognition. Caloric restriction and antidiabetic therapies, both of which affect metabolic hormone levels can restore metabolic homeostasis and enhance cognitive function. Thus, metabolic hormone pathways provide a promising target for the treatment of cognitive decline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olivia R Ghosh-Swaby
- Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Neuroscience Program, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Amy C Reichelt
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Adelaide Medical School, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Paul A S Sheppard
- Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Jeffrey Davies
- Swansea University Medical School, Swansea University, Swansea, UK
| | - Timothy J Bussey
- Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Neuroscience Program, Western University, London, ON, Canada; Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - Lisa M Saksida
- Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Neuroscience Program, Western University, London, ON, Canada; Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Western University, London, ON, Canada.
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Brugaletta G, Greene E, Tabler T, Orlowski S, Sirri F, Dridi S. Effect of Cyclic Heat Stress on Feeding-Related Hypothalamic Neuropeptides of Three Broiler Populations and Their Ancestor Jungle Fowl. Front Physiol 2022; 12:809341. [PMID: 35002780 PMCID: PMC8733626 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.809341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Heat stress (HS) has been increasingly jeopardizing the sustainability of the poultry production. Moreover, modern high-performing chickens are far less able to withstand HS than their predecessors due to higher growth rate and metabolic rates. Performance losses caused by HS are mainly ascribed to decreases in feed consumption. Since feed intake is tightly controlled by the hypothalamic centers of hunger and satiety, we sought to determine the effect of chronic cyclic HS on the expression of feeding-related hypothalamic neuropeptides (FRHN) in unselected chickens (i.e., the ancestor junglefowl-JF) and three broiler lines from diverse stages of genetic selection (i.e., the slow growing ACRB, the moderate growing 95RN, and the fast growing MRB). From 29 to 56 days, birds (n = 150 birds for each population) were subjected to either thermoneutral (TN, 25°C) or cyclic heat stress (HS, 36°C, 0900-1,800 h) conditions. Molecular data were analyzed by two-way ANOVA with interaction between the main factors, namely environmental temperature and line. The expression of major FHRN, like neuropeptide Y, agouti-related peptide, proopiomelanocortin, and cocaine and amphetamine regulated transcript remained unchanged. However, melanocortin receptor 1 exhibited a line-dependent decreasing trend from JF to MRB under both TN and HS (p = 0.09), adiponectin expression showed a distinct trend toward significance with 95RB exhibiting the highest mRNA level irrespective of the environmental temperature (p = 0.08), and JF had a greater mRNA abundance of visfatin than ACRB under TN (p < 0.05). The hypothalamic integration of circadian information, acclimation to long-lasting HS exposure, stable hypothalamic pathways unaffected by evolution and genetic selection, focus on mRNA abundances, and use of the entire hypothalamus masking gene expression in specific hypothalamic nuclei are all possible explanations for the lack of variations observed in this study. In conclusion, this is the first assessment of the impacts of heat stress on feeding-related hypothalamic neuropeptides of chicken, with a valuable and informative comparison between the ancestor junglefowl and three differently performing broiler lines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giorgio Brugaletta
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy.,Center of Excellence for Poultry Science, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, United States
| | - Elizabeth Greene
- Center of Excellence for Poultry Science, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, United States
| | - Travis Tabler
- Center of Excellence for Poultry Science, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, United States
| | - Sara Orlowski
- Center of Excellence for Poultry Science, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, United States
| | - Federico Sirri
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Sami Dridi
- Center of Excellence for Poultry Science, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR, United States
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Liu Y, Xu YC, Cui YG, Jiang SW, Diao FY, Liu JY, Ma X. Androgen Excess Increases Food Intake in a Rat Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Model by Downregulating Hypothalamus Insulin and Leptin Signaling Pathways Preceding Weight Gain. Neuroendocrinology 2022; 112:966-981. [PMID: 34847556 PMCID: PMC9677863 DOI: 10.1159/000521236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common reproductive and metabolic disorder characterized by high androgen levels. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of hyperandrogenism on the hypothalamus and subsequently on the food intake and obesity in females. METHODS A dihydroxy testosterone (DHT)-induced rat model was established to recapitulate the hyperandrogenism features of PCOS patients. Body weight and food intake of the rats were recorded. The food intake of DHT-induced rats was restricted by pair feeding to exclude possible effects of weight gain on the hypothalamus. The expression levels of relevant proteins and mRNAs in the hypothalamus and primary hypothalamic neurons exposed to DHT were analyzed by Western blotting and RT-PCR, respectively. The leptin levels in the serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were measured, and leptin was injected via the intracerebroventricular (ICV) route to test the leptin sensitivity of the hypothalamus. RESULTS The excessive prepuberty androgen levels in the DHT-induced rats markedly elevated food intake prior to weight gain. Consistent with this, the expression of neuropeptide Y and agouti-related peptide mRNAs was upregulated, which occurred prior to obesity and even with restricted food intake. In addition, the hypothalamic sensitivity to insulin and leptin was also impaired in the DHT-induced rats before obesity and with restricted food intake. DHT significantly reduced the leptin levels in the CSF, and ICV injection of leptin inhibited the DHT-induced increase in food intake. CONCLUSIONS Androgen excess increased food intake in rats and promoted obesity by downregulating insulin and leptin signaling in the hypothalamus, most likely by suppressing leptin levels in the CSF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Liu
- The State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Clinical Center of Reproductive Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- Clinical Center of Reproductive Medicine, Xuzhou Central Hospital, Xuzhou Clinical School of Xuzhou Medical College, Xuzhou, China
| | - Yu-Chen Xu
- The State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Clinical Center of Reproductive Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yu-Gui Cui
- The State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Clinical Center of Reproductive Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Shi-Wen Jiang
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Research Institute for Reproductive Health and Genetic Diseases, The Affiliated Wuxi Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Wuxi, China
| | - Fei-Yang Diao
- The State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Clinical Center of Reproductive Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jia-Yin Liu
- The State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Clinical Center of Reproductive Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- *Jia-yin Liu,
| | - Xiang Ma
- The State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Clinical Center of Reproductive Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- **Xiang Ma,
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