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Miyano K, Nonaka M, Sakamoto M, Murofushi M, Yoshida Y, Komura K, Ohbuchi K, Higami Y, Fujii H, Uezono Y. The Inhibition of TREK-1 K + Channels via Multiple Compounds Contained in the Six Kamikihito Components, Potentially Stimulating Oxytocin Neuron Pathways. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4907. [PMID: 38732124 PMCID: PMC11084865 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25094907] [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: 02/27/2024] [Revised: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Oxytocin, a significant pleiotropic neuropeptide, regulates psychological stress adaptation and social communication, as well as peripheral actions, such as uterine contraction and milk ejection. Recently, a Japanese Kampo medicine called Kamikihito (KKT) has been reported to stimulate oxytocin neurons to induce oxytocin secretion. Two-pore-domain potassium channels (K2P) regulate the resting potential of excitable cells, and their inhibition results in accelerated depolarization that elicits neuronal and endocrine cell activation. We assessed the effects of KKT and 14 of its components on a specific K2P, the potassium channel subfamily K member 2 (TREK-1), which is predominantly expressed in oxytocin neurons in the central nervous system (CNS). KKT inhibited the activity of TREK-1 induced via the channel activator ML335. Six of the 14 components of KKT inhibited TREK-1 activity. Additionally, we identified that 22 of the 41 compounds in the six components exhibited TREK-1 inhibitory effects. In summary, several compounds included in KKT partially activated oxytocin neurons by inhibiting TREK-1. The pharmacological effects of KKT, including antistress effects, may be partially mediated through the oxytocin pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kanako Miyano
- Department of Pain Control Research, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo 105-8461, Japan; (K.M.); (M.N.); (M.S.); (M.M.); (K.K.)
- Department of Dentistry, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan
- Laboratory of Pharmacotherapeutics, Faculty of Pharmacy, Juntendo University, Chiba 279-0013, Japan
| | - Miki Nonaka
- Department of Pain Control Research, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo 105-8461, Japan; (K.M.); (M.N.); (M.S.); (M.M.); (K.K.)
| | - Masahiro Sakamoto
- Department of Pain Control Research, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo 105-8461, Japan; (K.M.); (M.N.); (M.S.); (M.M.); (K.K.)
| | - Mika Murofushi
- Department of Pain Control Research, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo 105-8461, Japan; (K.M.); (M.N.); (M.S.); (M.M.); (K.K.)
- Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Kitasato University, Tokyo 108-8641, Japan;
| | - Yuki Yoshida
- Laboratory of Molecular Pathology and Metabolic Disease, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, Chiba 278-8510, Japan; (Y.Y.); (Y.H.)
| | - Kyoko Komura
- Department of Pain Control Research, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo 105-8461, Japan; (K.M.); (M.N.); (M.S.); (M.M.); (K.K.)
- Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Kitasato University, Tokyo 108-8641, Japan;
| | - Katsuya Ohbuchi
- Tsumura Research Laboratories, Tsumura & Co., Inashiki 200-1192, Japan;
| | - Yoshikazu Higami
- Laboratory of Molecular Pathology and Metabolic Disease, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tokyo University of Science, Chiba 278-8510, Japan; (Y.Y.); (Y.H.)
| | - Hideaki Fujii
- Laboratory of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Kitasato University, Tokyo 108-8641, Japan;
| | - Yasuhito Uezono
- Department of Pain Control Research, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo 105-8461, Japan; (K.M.); (M.N.); (M.S.); (M.M.); (K.K.)
- Supportive and Palliative Care Research Support Office, National Cancer Center Hospital East, Chiba 277-8577, Japan
- Department of Comprehensive Oncology, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan
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Maejima Y, Yokota S, Yamachi M, Misaka S, Ono T, Oizumi H, Mizuno K, Hidema S, Nishimori K, Aoyama M, de Wet H, Shimomura K. Traditional Japanese medicine Kamikihito ameliorates sucrose preference, chronic inflammation and obesity induced by a high fat diet in middle-aged mice. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2024; 15:1387964. [PMID: 38742193 PMCID: PMC11089234 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1387964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
The high prevalence of obesity has become a pressing global public health problem and there exists a strong association between increased BMI and mortality at a BMI of 25 kg/m2 or higher. The prevalence of obesity is higher among middle-aged adults than among younger groups and the combination of aging and obesity exacerbate systemic inflammation. Increased inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin 6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) are hallmarks of obesity, and promote the secretion of hepatic C-reactive protein (CRP) which further induces systematic inflammation. The neuropeptide oxytocin has been shown to have anti-obesity and anti-inflammation effects, and also suppress sweet-tasting carbohydrate consumption in mammals. Previously, we have shown that the Japanese herbal medicine Kamikihito (KKT), which is used to treat neuropsychological stress disorders in Japan, functions as an oxytocin receptors agonist. In the present study, we further investigated the effect of KKT on body weight (BW), food intake, inflammation, and sweet preferences in middle-aged obese mice. KKT oral administration for 12 days decreased the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the liver, and the plasma CRP and TNFα levels in obese mice. The effect of KKT administration was found to be different between male and female mice. In the absence of sucrose, KKT administration decreased food intake only in male mice. However, while having access to a 30% sucrose solution, both BW and food intake was decreased by KKT administration in male and female mice; but sucrose intake was decreased in female mice alone. In addition, KKT administration decreased sucrose intake in oxytocin deficient lean mice, but not in the WT lean mice. The present study demonstrates that KKT ameliorates chronic inflammation, which is strongly associated with aging and obesity, and decreases food intake in male mice as well as sucrose intake in female mice; in an oxytocin receptor dependent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuko Maejima
- Department of Bioregulation and Pharmacological Medicine, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima, Japan
- Department of Obesity and Inflammation research, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Shoko Yokota
- Department of Bioregulation and Pharmacological Medicine, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Megumi Yamachi
- Department of Bioregulation and Pharmacological Medicine, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Shingen Misaka
- Department of Bioregulation and Pharmacological Medicine, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Tomoyuki Ono
- Department of Bioregulation and Pharmacological Medicine, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Oizumi
- Tsumura Kampo Research Laboratories, Kampo Research and Development Division, Tsumura & Co., Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Keita Mizuno
- Tsumura Kampo Research Laboratories, Kampo Research and Development Division, Tsumura & Co., Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Shizu Hidema
- Department of Bioregulation and Pharmacological Medicine, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Katsuhiko Nishimori
- Department of Bioregulation and Pharmacological Medicine, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Masato Aoyama
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Utsunomiya University, Utsunomiya, Japan
| | - Heidi de Wet
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Kenju Shimomura
- Department of Bioregulation and Pharmacological Medicine, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima, Japan
- Department of Obesity and Inflammation research, Fukushima Medical University School of Medicine, Fukushima, Japan
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Prevention of Metabolic Syndrome by Phytochemicals and Vitamin D. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24032627. [PMID: 36768946 PMCID: PMC9917154 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24032627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent years, attention has focused on the roles of phytochemicals in fruits and vegetables in maintaining and improving the intestinal environment and preventing metabolic syndrome. A high-fat and high-sugar diet, lack of exercise, and excess energy accumulation in the body can cause metabolic syndrome and induce obesity, diabetes, and disorders of the circulatory system and liver. Therefore, the prevention of metabolic syndrome is important. The current review shows that the simultaneous intake of phytochemicals contained in citruses and grapes together with vitamin D improves the state of gut microbiota and immunity, preventing metabolic syndrome and related diseases. Phytochemicals contained in citruses include polyphenols such as hesperidin, rutin, and naringin; those in grapes include quercetin, procyanidin, and oleanolic acid. The intake of these phytochemicals and vitamin D, along with prebiotics and probiotics, nurture good gut microbiota. In general, Firmicutes are obese-prone gut microbiota and Bacteroidetes are lean-prone gut microbiota; good gut microbiota nurture regulatory T cells, which suppress inflammatory responses and upregulate immunity. Maintaining good gut microbiota suppresses TNF-α, an inflammatory cytokine that is also considered to be a pathogenic contributor adipokine, and prevents chronic inflammation, thereby helping to prevent metabolic syndrome. Maintaining good gut microbiota also enhances adiponectin, a protector adipokine that prevents metabolic syndrome. For the prevention of metabolic syndrome and the reduction of various disease risks, the intake of phytochemicals and vitamin D will be important for human health in the future.
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Maruyama T, Shimizu M, Ikeda N, Baba K, Yoshimura M, Ueta Y. Expression of oxytocin in hypothalamus and reduction of nociceptive stress following administration of Kamikihi-to in female rats. Front Pharmacol 2022; 13:961135. [PMID: 36110514 PMCID: PMC9469901 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2022.961135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Hypothalamo-neurohypophysial oxytocin (OXT) plays an essential role in reproduction and in several socio-physiological functions, including stress reduction, anxiety relief, feeding suppression, social recognition, and trust building. Recent studies suggest that the central OXT system is also involved in antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory functions. Kamikihi-to (KKT), a Japanese traditional herbal (Kampo) medicine composed of 14 herbal ingredients, is clinically prescribed for patients with psychological symptoms, including anxiety, depression, and insomnia, and it has been associated with OXT expression. We investigated the antinociceptive response and OXT expression according to sex and the effects of KKT pre administration in a rat model. We found that nociceptive responses measured via the hot plate and formalin tests were attenuated following the administration of KKT-enriched feed for 4 weeks. The observation of mRFP1 fluorescence in OXT-mRFP1 transgenic rats revealed that KKT-administered rats showed increased expression of OXT in the magnocellular and parvocellular paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus. Food intake in the KKT-pre-administered group significantly decreased after cholecystokinin (CCK)-8 administration. Our results suggest that KKT is involved in the attenuation of nociceptive stress in female rats by enhancing the expression of OXT in the hypothalamus.
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