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Pałasz A, Worthington JJ, Filipczyk Ł, Saganiak K. Pharmacomodulation of brain neuromedin U signaling as a potential therapeutic strategy. J Neurosci Res 2023; 101:1728-1736. [PMID: 37496289 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.25234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2023] [Revised: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
Neuromedin U (NMU) belongs to a family of multifunctional neuropeptides that modulate the activity of several neural networks of the brain. Acting via metabotropic receptor NMUR2, NMU plays a role in the regulation of multiple systems, including energy homeostasis, stress responses, circadian rhythms, and endocrine signaling. The involvement of NMU signaling in the central regulation of important neurophysiological processes and its disturbances is a potential target for pharmacological modulation. Number of preclinical studies have proven that both modified NMU analogues such as PASR8-NMU or F4R8-NMU and designed NMUR2 agonists, for example, CPN-116, CPN-124 exhibit a distinct pharmacological activity especially when delivered transnasally. Their application can potentially be useful in the more convenient and safe treatment of obesity, eating disorders, Alzheimer's disease-related memory impairment, alcohol addiction, and sleep disturbances. Accumulating findings suggest that pharmacomodulation of the central NMU signaling may be a promising strategy in the treatment of several neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Artur Pałasz
- Department of Histology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
| | - John J Worthington
- Division of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medicine, Lancaster University, Lancaster, UK
| | - Łukasz Filipczyk
- Department of Histology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
| | - Karolina Saganiak
- Department of Anatomy, Collegium Medicum, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland
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Rocks D, Jaric I, Bellia F, Cham H, Greally JM, Suzuki M, Kundakovic M. Early-life stress and ovarian hormones alter transcriptional regulation in the nucleus accumbens resulting in sex-specific responses to cocaine. Cell Rep 2023; 42:113187. [PMID: 37777968 PMCID: PMC10753961 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Revised: 07/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Early-life stress and ovarian hormones contribute to increased female vulnerability to cocaine addiction. Here, we reveal molecular substrates in the reward area, the nucleus accumbens, through which these female-specific factors affect immediate and conditioning responses to cocaine. We find shared involvement of X chromosome inactivation-related and estrogen signaling-related gene regulation in enhanced conditioning responses following early-life stress and during the low-estrogenic state in females. Low-estrogenic females respond to acute cocaine by opening neuronal chromatin enriched for the sites of ΔFosB, a transcription factor implicated in chronic cocaine response and addiction. Conversely, high-estrogenic females respond to cocaine by preferential chromatin closing, providing a mechanism for limiting cocaine-driven chromatin and synaptic plasticity. We find that physiological estrogen withdrawal, early-life stress, and absence of one X chromosome all nullify the protective effect of a high-estrogenic state on cocaine conditioning in females. Our findings offer a molecular framework to enable understanding of sex-specific neuronal mechanisms underlying cocaine use disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Devin Rocks
- Department of Biological Sciences, Fordham University, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Ivana Jaric
- Department of Biological Sciences, Fordham University, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Fabio Bellia
- Department of Biological Sciences, Fordham University, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Heining Cham
- Department of Psychology, Fordham University, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - John M Greally
- Center for Epigenomics, Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA
| | - Masako Suzuki
- Center for Epigenomics, Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA; Department of Nutrition, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Marija Kundakovic
- Department of Biological Sciences, Fordham University, Bronx, NY, USA.
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Piwowarczyk-Nowak A, Pałasz A, Bogus K, Krzystanek M, Błaszczyk I, Worthington JJ, Grajoszek A. Modulatory effect of long-term treatment with escitalopram and clonazepam on the expression of anxiety-related neuropeptides: neuromedin U, neuropeptide S and their receptors in the rat brain. Mol Biol Rep 2022; 49:9041-9049. [PMID: 35690686 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-022-07578-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Revised: 04/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Newly identified multifunctional peptidergic modulators of stress responses: neuromedin U (NMU) and neuropeptide S (NPS) are involved in the wide spectrum of brain functions. However, there are no reports dealing with potential molecular relationships between the action of diverse anxiolytic or antidepressant drugs and NMU and NPS signaling in the brain. The present work was therefore focused on local expression of the aforementioned stress-related neuropeptides in the rat brain after long-term treatment with escitalopram and clonazepam. METHODS Studies were carried out on adult, male Sprague-Dawley rats that were divided into 3 groups: animals injected with saline (control) and experimental individuals treated with escitalopram (at single dose 5 mg/kg daily), and clonazepam (at single dose 0.5 mg/kg). All individuals were sacrificed under anaesthesia and the whole brain excised. Total mRNA was isolated from homogenized samples of amygdala, hippocampus, hypothalamus, thalamus, cerebellum and brainstem. Real time-PCR method was used for estimation of related NPS, NPS receptor (NPSR), NMU, NMU and receptor 2 (NMUR2) mRNA expression. The whole brains were also sliced for general immunohistochemical assessment of the neuropeptides expression. RESULTS Chronic administration of clonazepam resulted in an increase of NMU mRNA expression and formation of NMU-expressing fibers in the amygdala, while escitalopram produced a significant decrease in NPSR mRNA level in hypothalamus. Long-term escitalopram administration affects the local expression of examined neuropeptides mRNA in a varied manner depending on the brain structure. CONCLUSIONS Pharmacological effects of escitalopram may be connected with local at least partially NPSR-related alterations in the NPS/NMU/NMUR2 gene expression at the level selected rat brain regions. A novel alternative mode of SSRI action can be therefore cautiously proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aneta Piwowarczyk-Nowak
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, ul. Medyków 18, 40-752, Katowice, Poland
| | - Artur Pałasz
- Department of Histology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, ul. Medyków 18, 40-752, Katowice, Poland.
| | - Katarzyna Bogus
- Department of Histology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, ul. Medyków 18, 40-752, Katowice, Poland
| | - Marek Krzystanek
- Clinic of Psychiatric Rehabilitation, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, ul. Ziolowa 45/47 Katowice 40- 635, Katowice, Poland
| | - Iwona Błaszczyk
- Department of Histology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, ul. Medyków 18, 40-752, Katowice, Poland
| | - John J Worthington
- Division of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medicine, Lancaster University, LA1 4YQ, Lancaster, UK
| | - Aniela Grajoszek
- Department for Experimental Medicine, Medical University of Silesia, ul. Medyków 4, 40-752, Katowice, Poland
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Piwowarczyk-Nowak A, Pałasz A, Suszka-Świtek A, Della Vecchia A, Grajoszek A, Krzystanek M, Worthington JJ. Escitalopram alters local expression of noncanonical stress-related neuropeptides in the rat brain via NPS receptor signaling. Pharmacol Rep 2022; 74:637-653. [PMID: 35653031 DOI: 10.1007/s43440-022-00374-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2022] [Revised: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Neuropeptide S (NPS) is a multifunctional regulatory factor that exhibits a potent anxiolytic activity in animal models. However, there are no reports dealing with the potential molecular relationships between the anxiolytic activity of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and NPS signaling, especially in the context of novel stress-related neuropeptides action. The present work therefore focused on gene expression of novel stress neuropeptides in the rat brain after acute treatment with escitalopram and in combination with neuropeptide S receptor (NPSR) blockade. METHODS Studies were carried out on adult, male Sprague-Dawley rats that were divided into five groups: animals injected with saline (control) and experimental rats treated with escitalopram (at single dose 10 mg/kg daily), escitalopram and SHA-68, a selective NPSR antagonist (at a single dose of 40 mg/kg), SHA-68 alone and corresponding vehicle (solvent SHA-68) control. To measure anxiety-like behavior and locomotor activity the open field test was performed. All individuals were killed under anaesthesia and the whole brain was excised. Total mRNA was isolated from homogenized samples of the amygdala, hippocampus, hypothalamus, thalamus, cerebellum, and brainstem. Real-time PCR was used for estimation of related NPS, NPSR, neuromedin U (NMU), NMU receptor 2 (NMUR2) and nesfatin-1 precursor nucleobindin-2 (NUCB2) gene expression. RESULTS Acute escitalopram administration affects the local expression of the examined neuropeptides mRNA in a varied manner depending on brain location. An increase in NPSR and NUCB2 mRNA expression in the hypothalamus and brainstem was abolished by SHA-68 coadministration, while NMU mRNA expression was upregulated after NPSR blockade in the hippocampus and cerebellum. CONCLUSIONS The pharmacological effects of escitalopram may be connected with local NPSR-related alterations in NPS/NMU/NMUR2 and nesfatin-1 gene expression at the level of selected rat brain regions. A novel alternative mode of SSRI action can be therefore cautiously proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aneta Piwowarczyk-Nowak
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, ul. Medyków 18, 40-752, Katowice, Poland
| | - Artur Pałasz
- Department of Histology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, ul. Medyków 18, 40-752, Katowice, Poland.
| | - Aleksandra Suszka-Świtek
- Department of Histology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, ul. Medyków 18, 40-752, Katowice, Poland
| | - Alessandra Della Vecchia
- Section of Psychiatry, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 67, Via Roma, 56100, Pisa, Italy
| | - Aniela Grajoszek
- Department for Experimental Medicine, Medical University of Silesia, ul. Medyków 4, 40-752, Katowice, Poland
| | - Marek Krzystanek
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Katowice, Clinic of Psychiatric Rehabilitation, Medical University of Silesia, ul. Ziolowa 45/47, 40-635, Katowice, Poland
| | - John J Worthington
- Division of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medicine, Lancaster University, Lancaster, LA1 4YQ, UK
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Smith AE, Ogunseye KO, DeBenedictis JN, Peris J, Kasper JM, Hommel JD. Glutamatergic projections from homeostatic to hedonic brain nuclei regulate intake of highly palatable food. Sci Rep 2020; 10:22093. [PMID: 33328492 PMCID: PMC7744515 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-78897-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Food intake is a complex behavior regulated by discrete brain nuclei that integrate homeostatic nutritional requirements with the hedonic properties of food. Homeostatic feeding (i.e. titration of caloric intake), is typically associated with hypothalamic brain nuclei, including the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN). Hedonic feeding is driven, in part, by the reinforcing properties of highly palatable food (HPF), which is mediated by the nucleus accumbens (NAc). Dysregulation of homeostatic and hedonic brain nuclei can lead to pathological feeding behaviors, namely overconsumption of highly palatable food (HPF), that may drive obesity. Both homeostatic and hedonic mechanisms of food intake have been attributed to several brain regions, but the integration of homeostatic and hedonic signaling to drive food intake is less clear, therefore we aimed to identify the neuroanatomical, functional, and behavioral features of a novel PVN → NAc circuit. Using viral tracing techniques, we determined that PVN → NAc has origins in the parvocellular PVN, and that PVN → NAc neurons express VGLUT1, a marker of glutamatergic signaling. Next, we pharmacogenetically stimulated PVN → NAc neurons and quantified both gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate release and phospho-cFos expression in the NAc and observed a robust and significant increase in extracellular glutamate and phospho-cFos expression. Finally, we pharmacogenetically stimulated PVN → NAc which decreased intake of highly palatable food, demonstrating that this glutamatergic circuitry regulates aspects of feeding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley E Smith
- Department of Neuroscience, Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
- Center for Addiction Research, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Kehinde O Ogunseye
- Institute for Translational Science, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Julia N DeBenedictis
- Masters in Nutrition Program, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Joanna Peris
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, College of Pharmacy, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - James M Kasper
- Center for Addiction Research, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Jonathan D Hommel
- Center for Addiction Research, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.
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Anan M, Higa R, Shikano K, Shide M, Soda A, Carrasco Apolinario ME, Mori K, Shin T, Miyazato M, Mimata H, Hikida T, Hanada T, Nakao K, Kangawa K, Hanada R. Cocaine has some effect on neuromedin U expressing neurons related to the brain reward system. Heliyon 2020; 6:e03947. [PMID: 32462086 PMCID: PMC7240118 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e03947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2019] [Revised: 12/20/2019] [Accepted: 05/05/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuromedin U (NMU) is a bioactive neuropeptide, highly distributed in the gastrointestinal tract and the central nervous system. NMU has various physiological functions related to feeding behavior, energy metabolism, stress responses, circadian rhythmicity and inflammation. Recently, several reports indicate that the central NMU system plays an important role in the reward systems in the brain. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms are not yet fully defined. In this study, we found that some of cocaine-induced c-Fos immunoreactive cells were co-localized with NMU in the nucleus accumbens (NAc), caudate putamen (CPu), and basolateral amygdala (BLA), which are key brain regions associated with the brain reward system, in wild type mice. Whereas, a treatment with cocaine did not influence the kinetics of NMU or NMU receptors mRNA expression in these brain regions, and NMU-knockout mice did not show any higher preference for cocaine compared with their control mice. These results indicate that cocaine has some effect on NMU expressing neurons related to the brain reward system, and this suggests NMU system may have a role on the brain reward systems activated by cocaine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madoka Anan
- Department of Neurophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University, Oita, Japan
| | - Ryoko Higa
- Department of Neurophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University, Oita, Japan
| | - Kenshiro Shikano
- Department of Neurophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University, Oita, Japan
| | - Masahito Shide
- Department of Neurophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University, Oita, Japan
| | - Akinobu Soda
- Department of Neurophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University, Oita, Japan
| | | | - Kenji Mori
- Department of Biochemistry, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center Research Institute, Osaka, Japan
| | - Toshitaka Shin
- Department of Urology, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University, Oita, Japan
| | - Mikiya Miyazato
- Department of Biochemistry, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center Research Institute, Osaka, Japan
| | - Hiromitsu Mimata
- Department of Urology, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University, Oita, Japan
| | - Takatoshi Hikida
- Laboratory for Advanced Brain Functions, Institute for Protein Research, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Toshikatsu Hanada
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University, Oita, Japan
| | - Kazuwa Nakao
- Medical Innovation Center, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Kenji Kangawa
- Department of Biochemistry, National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center Research Institute, Osaka, Japan
| | - Reiko Hanada
- Department of Neurophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, Oita University, Oita, Japan
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Vallöf D, Kalafateli AL, Jerlhag E. Brain region-specific neuromedin U signalling regulates alcohol-related behaviours and food intake in rodents. Addict Biol 2020; 25:e12764. [PMID: 31069918 PMCID: PMC7187236 DOI: 10.1111/adb.12764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2018] [Revised: 03/26/2019] [Accepted: 03/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Albeit neuromedin U (NMU) attenuates alcohol‐mediated behaviours, its mechanisms of action are poorly defined. Providing that the behavioural effects of alcohol are processed within the nucleus accumbens (NAc) shell, anterior ventral tegmental area (aVTA), and laterodorsal tegmental area (LDTg), we assessed the involvement of NMU signalling in the aforementioned areas on alcohol‐mediated behaviours in rodents. We further examined the expression of NMU and NMU receptor 2 (NMUR2) in NAc and the dorsal striatum of high compared with low alcohol‐consuming rats, as this area is of importance in the maintenance of alcohol use disorder (AUD). Finally, we investigated the involvement of NAc shell, aVTA and LDTg in the consumption of chow and palatable peanut butter, to expand the link between NMU and reward‐related behaviours. We demonstrated here, that NMU into the NAc shell, but not aVTA or LDTg, blocked the ability of acute alcohol to cause locomotor stimulation and to induce memory retrieval of alcohol reward, as well as reduced peanut butter in mice. In addition, NMU into NAc shell decreased alcohol intake in rats. On a molecular level, we found increased NMU and decreased NMUR2 expression in the dorsal striatum in high compared with low alcohol‐consuming rats. Both aVTA and LDTg, rather than NAc shell, were identified as novel sites of action for NMU's anorexigenic properties in mice based on NMU's ability to selectively reduce chow intake when injected to these areas. Collectively, these data indicate that NMU signalling in different brain areas selectively modulates different behaviours.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Vallöf
- Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Department of PharmacologyThe Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg Gothenburg Sweden
| | - Aimilia Lydia Kalafateli
- Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Department of PharmacologyThe Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg Gothenburg Sweden
| | - Elisabet Jerlhag
- Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Department of PharmacologyThe Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg Gothenburg Sweden
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Vestlund J, Kalafateli AL, Studer E, Westberg L, Jerlhag E. Neuromedin U induces self-grooming in socially-stimulated mice. Neuropharmacology 2019; 162:107818. [PMID: 31647973 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2019.107818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2019] [Revised: 09/17/2019] [Accepted: 10/18/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Emerging evidence suggest that appetite-regulating peptides modulate social behaviors. We here investigate whether the anorexigenic peptide neuromedin U (NMU) modulates sexual behavior in male mice. However, instead of modulating sexual behaviors, NMU administered into the third ventricle increased self-grooming behavior. In addition, NMU-treatment increased self-grooming behavior when exposed to other mice or olfactory social-cues, but not when exposed to non-social environments. As the neuropeptide oxytocin is released during social investigation and exogenous oxytocin induces self-grooming, its role in NMU-induced self-grooming behavior was investigated. In line with our hypothesis, the oxytocin receptor antagonist inhibited NMU-induced self-grooming behavior in mice exposed to olfactory social-cues. Moreover, dopamine in the mesocorticolimbic system is known to be a key regulator of self-grooming behavior. In line with this, we proved that infusion of NMU into nucleus accumbens increased self-grooming behavior in mice confronted with an olfactory social-cue and that this behavior was inhibited by antagonism of dopamine D2, but not D1/D5, receptors. Moreover repeated NMU treatment enhanced ex vivo dopamine levels and decreased the expression of dopamine D2 receptors in nucleus accumbens in socially housed mice. On the other hand, the olfactory stimuli-dependent NMU-induced self-grooming was not affected by a corticotrophin-releasing hormone antagonist, and NMU-treatment did not influence repetitive behaviors in the marble burying test. In conclusion, our results suggest that NMU treatment and, social cues - potentially triggering oxytocin release - together induce excessive grooming behavior in male mice. The mesolimbic dopamine system, including accumbal dopamine D2 receptors, was identified as a crucial downstream mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesper Vestlund
- Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Department of Pharmacology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Aimilia Lydia Kalafateli
- Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Department of Pharmacology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Erik Studer
- Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Department of Pharmacology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Lars Westberg
- Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Department of Pharmacology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Elisabet Jerlhag
- Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Department of Pharmacology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
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Binge-Type Eating in Rats is Facilitated by Neuromedin U Receptor 2 in the Nucleus Accumbens and Ventral Tegmental Area. Nutrients 2019; 11:nu11020327. [PMID: 30717427 PMCID: PMC6412951 DOI: 10.3390/nu11020327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2018] [Revised: 01/29/2019] [Accepted: 01/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Binge-eating disorder (BED) is the most common eating disorder, characterized by rapid, recurrent overconsumption of highly palatable food in a short time frame. BED shares an overlapping behavioral phenotype with obesity, which is also linked to the overconsumption of highly palatable foods. The reinforcing properties of highly palatable foods are mediated by the nucleus accumbens (NAc) and the ventral tegmental area (VTA), which have been implicated in the overconsumption behavior observed in BED and obesity. A potential regulator of binge-type eating behavior is the G protein-coupled receptor neuromedin U receptor 2 (NMUR2). Previous research demonstrated that NMUR2 knockdown potentiates binge-type consumption of high-fat food. We correlated binge-type consumption across a spectrum of fat and carbohydrate mixtures with synaptosomal NMUR2 protein expression in the NAc and VTA of rats. Synaptosomal NMUR2 protein in the NAc demonstrated a strong positive correlation with binge intake of a “lower”-fat (higher carbohydrate) mixture, whereas synaptosomal NMUR2 protein in the VTA demonstrated a strong negative correlation with binge intake of an “extreme” high-fat (0% carbohydrate) mixture. Taken together, these data suggest that NMUR2 may differentially regulate binge-type eating within the NAc and the VTA.
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