Mapping and signaling of neural pathways involved in the regulation of hydromineral homeostasis

Several forebrain and brainstem neurochemical circuitries interact with peripheral neural and humoral signals to collaboratively maintain both the volume and osmolality of extracellular fluids. Although much progress has been made over the past decades in the understanding of complex mechanisms underlying neuroendocrine control of hydromineral homeostasis, several issues still remain to be clarified. The use of techniques such as molecular biology, neuronal tracing, electrophysiology, immunohistochemistry, and microinfusions has significantly improved our ability to identify neuronal phenotypes and their signals, including those related to neuron-glia interactions. Accordingly, neurons have been shown to produce and release a large number of chemical mediators (neurotransmitters, neurohormones and neuromodulators) into the interstitial space, which include not only classic neurotransmitters, such as acetylcholine, amines (noradrenaline, serotonin) and amino acids (glutamate, GABA), but also gaseous (nitric oxide, carbon monoxide and hydrogen sulfide) and lipid-derived (endocannabinoids) mediators. This efferent response, initiated within the neuronal environment, recruits several peripheral effectors, such as hormones (glucocorticoids, angiotensin II, estrogen), which in turn modulate central nervous system responsiveness to systemic challenges. Therefore, in this review, we shall evaluate in an integrated manner the physiological control of body fluid homeostasis from the molecular aspects to the systemic and integrated responses.

TSH neurosecretory dysfunction (TSH-nd) in Down syndrome (DS): low risk of progression to Hashimoto's thyroiditis / Disfunção neurossecretora de TSH na síndrome de Down: baixo risco de progressão para a tireoidite de Hashimoto

INTRODUCTION: Patients with Down syndrome (DS) often have elevated TSH (hypothalamic origin), which is called TSH neurosecretory dysfunction (TSH-nd). In these cases, there is slight elevation in TSH (5-15 µUI/mL), with normal free T4 and negative thyroid antibodies (AB). OBJECTIVE: To recognize the risk of progression to Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 40 DS patients (mean age = 4.5 years), followed up for 6.8 years. RESULTS: HT was diagnosed in 9/40 patients, three early in monitoring, and six during evolution. In 31/40 patients, TSH-nd diagnosis remained unchanged over the years, with maximum TSH values ranging from 5 to 15 µUI/mL. In this group, free T4 also remained normal and AB were negative. There was a significant TSH reduction (p = 0.017), and normal TSH concentrations (< 5.0 µUI/mL) were observed in 29/31 patients, in at least one moment. No patient had TSH > 15 µUI/mL. CONCLUSION: DS patients with TSH-nd present low risk of progression to HT (10 percent for females and 6 percent for males).

INTRODUÇÃO: Pacientes com síndrome de Down (SD) geralmente apresentam TSH elevado (de origem hipotalâmica), uma desordem chamada de disfunção neurossecretora de TSH (TSH-nd). Nesses casos, há uma leve elevação do TSH (5-15 µUI/mL), com T4 livre normal e anticorpos antitireoide (AB) negativos. OBJETIVO: Reconhecer o risco de progressão para a tireoidite de Hashimoto (HT). SUJEITOS E MÉTODOS: Analisamos retrospectivamente 40 pacientes com SD (idade média = 4,5 anos), acompanhados por 6,8 anos. RESULTADOS: A HT foi diagnosticada em 9/40 pacientes, três logo no início da avaliação e seis durante a evolução. Em 31/40 dos pacientes, o diagnóstico de TSH-nd permaneceu estável durante os anos, com valores máximos de TSH variando de 5 a 15 µUI/mL. Neste grupo, o T4 livre também permaneceu normal e os AB foram negativos. Houve uma redução significativa do TSH (p = 0,017), e concentrações normais de TSH (< 5,0 µUI/mL) foram observadas em 29/31 pacientes, em pelo menos um momento. Nenhum paciente apresentou TSH > 15 µUI/mL. CONCLUSÃO: Pacientes com SD e TSH-nd apresentam baixo risco de progressão para a HT (10 por cento para o sexo feminino e 6 por cento para o sexo masculino).

Involvement of genes required for synaptic function in aging control in C. elegans / 神经科学通报·英文版

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To identify new genes required for neurosecretory control of aging in C. elegans.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>In view of the importance of nervous system in aging regulation, we performed the screen for genes involved in the aging regulation from genetic loci encoding synaptic proteins by lifespan assay and accumulation of lipofuscin autofluorescence. We further investigated the dauer formation phenotypes of their corresponding mutants and whether they were possibly up-regulated by the insulin-like signaling pathway.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The genetic loci of unc-10, syd-2, hlb-1, dlk-1, mkk-4, scd-2, snb-1, ric-4, nrx-1, unc-13, sbt-1 and unc-64 might be involved in the aging control. In addition, functions of unc-10, syd-2, hlb-1, dlk-1, mkk-4, scd-2, snb-1, ric-4 and nrx-1 in regulating aging may be opposite to those of unc-13, sbt-1 and unc-64. The intestinal autofluorescence assay further indicated that the identified long-lived and short-lived mutants were actually due to the suppressed or accelerated aging. Among the identified genes, syd-2, hlb-1, mkk-4, scd-2, snb-1, ric-4 and unc-64 were also involved in the control of dauer formation. Moreover, daf-2 mutation positively regulated the expression of syd-2 and hlb-1, and negatively regulated the expression of mkk-4, nrx-1, ric-4, sbt-1, rpm-1, unc-10, dlk-1 and unc-13. The daf-16 mutation positively regulated the expression of syd-2 and hlb-1, and negatively regulated the expression of mkk-4, nrx-1, sbt-1, rpm-1, unc-10, dlk-1 and unc-13.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>These data suggest the possibly important status of the synaptic transmission to the animal's life-span control machinery, as well as the dauer formation control.</p>

Effect of Dimethoate (Rogor 30% EC) on the brain neurosecretory cells of third instar grubs of Oryctes rhinoceros L. (Coleoptera : Scarabaeidae).

The brain neurosecretory cells of III instar grubs of Oryctes rhinoceros were exposed to insecticide Dimethoate (Rogor 30% EC) in the laboratory condition. The sublethal doses (0.125, 0.25 and 0.5%) of Rogor at time intervals of 8, 16 and 24 h have produced marked changes in the structure and the secretory activities of medial and lateral neurosecretory cells. Rogor stimulates the synthetic activity of these cells at the initial stages of its action and results in the accumulation of neurosecretory materials (NSM) in the cytoplasm. The decreased neurosecretion at later stages of the action was due to its transportation through the axons before the death of treated grubs. Similarly, vacuolization, shrinking and degeneration of cells were also observed in treated grubs.

Conceptos actuales sobre neuroinmunomodulación / Current concepts in Neuroimmunomodulation

Durante la última década, se ha avanzado considerablemente en el reconocimiento de propiedades comunes y de diversas formas de comunicación entre los elementos del sistema nervioso, el endocrino y el inmunitario. En particular pueden destacarse los siguientes temas: 1) Las células de las tres estirpes producen y son sensibles a los mismos mensajeros químicos, reduciéndose así las tradicionales diferencias entre neurotransmisores, hormonas y mensajeros inmunitarios. 2) Se ha ampliado el conocimiento de las acciones hormonales sobre el sistema nervioso y el inmunitario y se han descrito vías directas de comunicación entre estos últimos. 3) Se han identificado regiones cerebrales selectivas relacionadas con el control de fenómenos inmunitarios, 4) Los efectos de citocinas y otros mediadores inmunitarios sobre el sistema nervioso son mejor conocidos. 5) Se han indentificado componentes neurológicos y psiquiátricos en padecimientos autoinmunes y se postula la etiología autoinmune en diversos trastornos del sistema nervioso. Además, la contribución neuroinmunológica esta confirmada en un número creciente de padecimientos. Todo ello abre un nuevo capítulo en el conocimiento de las funciones homeostáticas y de su importancia en medicina

Proteínas y enzimas como posibles mensajeros en la comunicación química interneuronal. Parte I / Proteins and enzymes as chemical messangers regulating neuronal transmission. First part

En los últimos 30 años un extenso cúmulo de información ha sido reportada sobre la identificación y caracterización fisiológica y molecular de las proteínas y las enzimas; cuya liberación espontánea e inducida a partir del tejido neuronal y de los tejidos extraneuronales, como las células cromafines de la glándula suprarrenal, han permitido no sólo la subsecuente clonación y aislamiento molecular de estas moléculas protéicas, sino que, además, mediante la aplicación de métodos de hibridación in situ, de la generación de anticuerpos selectivos, conjuntamente con el apoyo de técnicas inmunohistoquímicas, se ha podido detectar el origen, localización y expresión celular de enzimas como la acetilcolinesterasa específica (AChE), y la dopamina-betahidroxilasa (DBH), en diversas regiones del cerebro de distintas especies mamíferas, de donde se ha encontrado su capacidad para ejercer funciones neurotróficas. Asimismo, se han abordado similares planteamientos experimentales para identificar y localizar la expresión celular y subcelular de proteínas como las de la familia de los polipéptidos, representados por las cromograninas y las secretoneurinas, que son polipéptidos, cuya síntesis celular modificaciones postraduccionales, almacenamiento y segregación vesicular, como su exocitosis celular en el tejido neuronal y en los tejidos neuroendocrinos, han sido estudiadas in vivo e in vitro a partir de diferentes preparaciones biológicas, cuyos resultados han sido motivo de múltiples publicaciones. Más aún, estas proteínas parecen ser precursoras de varios péptidos bioactivos, en los que se han observado diversas funciones de tipo autocrino, paracrino, o endocrino, en el tejido neuronal y en los tejidos extraneuronales. Asimismo, una extensa familia de factores tróficos, conocidos como neurotrofinas, incluyendo el Factor de Crecimiento Neuronal (NGF), recientemente se aislaron, identificaron, y caracterizaron molecular y funcionalmente, in vivo e in vitro, con lo que se demostró su capacidad para regular y mantener la supervivencia de diferentes poblaciones de células neuronales en el sistema nervioso central y periférico de múltiples especies de vertebrados e invertebrados, lo que parece mediarse por la activación de diversos subgrupos de receptores membranales, recientemente identificados y localizados en discretas poblaciones neuronales

Avaliaçäo morfométrica de neurônios secretores hormonais dos núcleos paraventriculares do Gallus domesticus, sob bloqueio do influxo de cálcio / Morphometric evaluation on hormonal secretory neurons of the paraventricular nucleus in Gallus domesticus, on obstruction of calcium influx

Parâmetros entre o transporte anterógrado e os níveis de cálcio foram demonstrados em neurônios isolados, e somam-se informaçoes que o fluxo axoplasmático pode estar relacionado com microtúbulos, miosina e actina em neurônios secretores hipotalâmicos. Neste estágio, procuramos verificar se há suscetilidade dos núcleos paraventrículares à açao do bloqueador de canais de cálcio (verapamil) e a decorrência do efeito sobre o transporte axoplasmático da neurossecreçao em Gallus domesticus aos 25 dias após eclosao. Os resultados da análise morfométrica com integralizador de imagem realizada após processamento segundo Bargmann e os da avaliaçao do teor proteico hipotalâmico pelo método de Lowry, foram analisados estatisticamente registrando consistência na hipótese de ser cálcio-dependente o transporte da neurossecreçao dos núcleos paraventriculares, nesta condiçao experimental.

Similitudes immunologiques entre les substances cerebrales de schistocerca gregaria et deux neurohormones de locusta migratoria

Two neurohormones produced by two distinctive neurosecretory median cells [A [1], B] of the protocerebum have been characterized in Locusta migratoria; each with multiple functions one called neuroparsin and one stimuling the ovarian maturation called lom OMP. Using the specific immunoserum of these two neurohormones in Schistocerca gregaria, we could demonstrate the occuring of molecules related to the neuroparsin and lom OMP of Locusta. Through histology studies of the brain and corpora cardiaca complex, the immunserum revealed the presence of the two types of these neurosecretory cells suggesting the occuring in Locusta as well as Schistocerca of the same cells releasing molecules immunologically apparent to neuroparsin and lom OMP. The results were confirmed by electrophoretic separation of corpora cardiaca extract under unreduced conditions followed by a transfer on immobilon membrane

Neurosecretory cell types and distribution in unfed female hyalomma dromedary II[Acari: ixododiea: ixodidae] synganglion*+1

Thirteen NSC types have been observed in the unfed female Hyalomma dromedarii synganglion. Distribution of these types was based on cell shape, size, and staining reaction of their contents. The NSC are grouped in 13 centers, namely protocerebral, cheliceral, stomodeal pons, palpal, oesophageal, globular, olfactory glomerular, four pedal, opisthosomal and postoesophageal. Each center contains one or more cell types

neurosecretory system and neurosecretory material in insects

Three types of neurosecretory cells exist in the nervous system of insects [A, B and C- types]. They vary in number in the different parts of the nervous system. Neurosecretory cells display different cyclic phases of activity. Marked histological, cytological and histochemical differences are demonstrated between neurosecretory and non-neurosecretory cells. The problem of neurosecretory system and nature of neurosecretory material has been the subject of investigation by the present writer and one of his collaborators in Gryllotalpa gryllotapa [Banhawy and Anwar, 1970, 1971, 1972 a, b 1973] and in Spodoptera littoralis [Banhawy and Anwar, 1977]. A detailed study was also previously made by Moussa and the present writer oft the secretory organelles and cytochemistry of neurosecretory material in Schistocerca gregaria [Moussa and Banhawy, 1958 a, b; 1959, 1961 a, b]