Hippocampus: Molecular, Cellular, and Circuit Features in Anxiety / 神经科学通报·英文版

Anxiety disorders are currently a major psychiatric and social problem, the mechanisms of which have been only partially elucidated. The hippocampus serves as a major target of stress mediators and is closely related to anxiety modulation. Yet so far, its complex anatomy has been a challenge for research on the mechanisms of anxiety regulation. Recent advances in imaging, virus tracking, and optogenetics/chemogenetics have permitted elucidation of the activity, connectivity, and function of specific cell types within the hippocampus and its connected brain regions, providing mechanistic insights into the elaborate organization of the hippocampal circuitry underlying anxiety. Studies of hippocampal neurotransmitter systems, including glutamatergic, GABAergic, cholinergic, dopaminergic, and serotonergic systems, have contributed to the interpretation of the underlying neural mechanisms of anxiety. Neuropeptides and neuroinflammatory factors are also involved in anxiety modulation. This review comprehensively summarizes the hippocampal mechanisms associated with anxiety modulation, based on molecular, cellular, and circuit properties, to provide tailored targets for future anxiety treatment.

Narcolepsy: the impact of aging, hypocretin deficiency, and years of formal education in olfactory function and abdominal obesity / Narcolepsia: o impacto da idade, deficiência de hipocretina e anos de estudo na função olfatória e na obesidade central

ABSTRACT Background: Narcolepsy is a disease resulting from the loss of hypocretin-producing cells or other dysfunctions of the hypocretinergic system. In addition to sleep disorders, affected patients may experience increased weight gain, olfactory changes, and poorer quality of life. Methods: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between narcolepsy and weight gain, years of study, sleep parameters, and olfactory dysfunction in patients with narcolepsy type 1 and narcolepsy type 2. Anthropometric, olfactory, socioeducational, and excessive daytime sleepiness evaluations were performed in 77 patients. Results: Greater weight gain and abdominal obesity were observed in patients with type 1 narcolepsy. Patients with higher education level had lower scores of daytime sleepiness, higher scores on the olfactory function test, and lower rates of abdominal obesity. Discussion: Patients with narcolepsy type 1 showed an increased body weight and abdominal obesity when compared to narcolepsy type 2. The patients with a higher schooling level showed a reduction of the daytime sleepiness scores, lower rates of abdominal obesity, and better scores on the olfactory function test. Conclusion: Among all the patients with narcolepsy, the data indicated that aging and hypocretin deficiency are associated with abdominal obesity, while years of study is the variable that mostly influences olfaction function.

RESUMO Antecedentes: A narcolepsia é resultante da perda de células produtoras de hipocretina ou da disfunção do sistema hipocretinérgico. Além dos distúrbios do sono característicos da doença, os pacientes afetados podem apresentar também aumento de peso, alterações olfatórias e pior qualidade de vida. Métodos: O objetivo do estudo é investigar a relação entre a narcolepsia e o ganho de peso, anos de estudo, parâmetros do sono e a disfunção olfatória em pacientes com narcolepsia tipo 1 e narcolepsia tipo 2. Foram realizadas avaliações antropométricas, do olfato, sociais, educacionais e da sonolência excessiva diurna nos 77 indivíduos participantes da pesquisa. Resultados: Foram observados, nos pacientes com narcolepsia tipo 1, maior ganho de peso e maior frequência de obesidade central. Pacientes com ensino superior apresentaram escores mais baixos de sonolência excessiva diurna, escores mais altos no teste de função olfatória e menores taxas de obesidade central. Discussão: Pacientes com narcolepsia tipo 1 apresentaram maior ganho de peso e obesidade central quando comparados aos com narcolepsia tipo 2. Os pacientes com maior escolaridade apresentaram menores escores de sonolência diurna, de obesidade central e melhores escores no teste da função olfatória. Conclusão: Nos indivíduos com narcolepsia tipo 1 e tipo 2, os dados indicaram que o envelhecimento e a deficiência de hipocretina estão associados à obesidade central, enquanto anos de estudo é a variável que mais influencia na função olfatória.

Diabetes mellitus asociada al uso crónico de antipsicóticos atípicos / Diabetes mellitus association with chronic use of atypical antipsychotics

Resumen Los agentes antipsicóticos son considerados como el principal tratamiento farmacológico para el manejo de mantenimiento y el tratamiento de casos agudos de la esquizofrenia y otros trastornos mentales. Estos medicamentos están clasificados en dos grupos: los antipsicóticos de primera generación o antipsicóticos típicos (AT) y los antipsicóticos de segunda generación o antipsicóticos atípicos (AA). En relación con el uso de los antipsicóticos típicos (AT), se han descrito importantes efectos adversos, sobre todo síntomas extrapiramidales (EPS), lo cual ha relegado su uso y fomenta el mayor empleo en la práctica clínica de los antipsicóticos atípicos (AA) gracias a la adecuada efectividad clínica demostrada hasta el momento. Sin embargo, estos medicamentos están asociados con diferentes alteraciones metabólicas, entre las cuales se encuentra un mayor riesgo de diabetes; para lo cual se han propuesto varios mecanismos etiopatogénicos. En esta revisión narrativa, se presenta un resumen actualizado de la literatura de los últimos 5 años sobre el uso de antipsicóticos atípicos y la diabetes mellitus tipo 2, haciendo énfasis en las diferentes hipótesis reportadas hasta el momento que involucran el aumento de peso y diferentes efectos mediados por hormonas, receptores de neurotransmisores y neuropéptidos que impactan en la génesis de los estados hiperglucémicos y de insulinorresistencia.

Abstract Antipsychotic agents are currently considered as the main pharmacological treatment that helps the maintenance management of acute schizophrenia and other mental disorders. These drugs are classified into two groups: First-generation antipsychotics (FGAs) or typical antipsychotics, and Second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs) also known as atypical antipsychotics (AAP). In relation to the use of typical antipsychotics, some relevant adverse effects have been described, especially in terms of extrapyramidal side effects (EPS), which has downgraded their use and encourages the treatment of atypical antipsychotics (AAP) due to the adequate clinical effectiveness demonstrated so far in the practice. However, these drugs have been associated with different metabolic alterations such as the increased risk of suffering from diabetes; thus, several etiopathogenic mechanisms have been proposed. In this narrative review, we seek to present an updated summary of the literature of the last five years about the use of atypical antipsychotics and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Here it has been emphasized the different hypotheses reported so far that involve weight gain and different effects mediated by hormones, neurotransmitter receptors, and neuropeptides that impact on the genesis of hyperglycemia and insulin resistance states

Innate Lymphoid Cells in the Airways: Their Functions and Regulators

Since the airways are constantly exposed to various pathogens and foreign antigens, various kinds of cells in the airways—including structural cells and immune cells—interact to form a precise defense system against pathogens and antigens that involve both innate immunity and acquired immunity. Accumulating evidence suggests that innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) play critical roles in the maintenance of tissue homeostasis, defense against pathogens and the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases, especially at body surface mucosal sites such as the airways. ILCs are activated mainly by cytokines, lipid mediators and neuropeptides that are produced by surrounding cells, and they produce large amounts of cytokines that result in inflammation. In addition, ILCs can change their phenotype in response to stimuli from surrounding cells, which enables them to respond promptly to microenvironmental changes. ILCs exhibit substantial heterogeneity, with different phenotypes and functions depending on the organ and type of inflammation, presumably because of differences in microenvironments. Thus, ILCs may be a sensitive detector of microenvironmental changes, and analysis of their phenotype and function at local sites may enable us to better understand the microenvironment in airway diseases. In this review, we aimed to identify molecules that either positively or negatively influence the function and/or plasticity of ILCs and the sources of the molecules in the airways in order to examine the pathophysiology of airway inflammatory diseases and facilitate the issues to be solved.

Bile acids regulate anorexigenic neuropeptide through p-STAT3-SOCS3 signaling in mouse hypothalamic cells / 南方医科大学学报

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the effects of taurolithocholic acid (tLCA) and chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) on the expression of aorexigenic neuropeptide in mouse hypothalamus GT1-7 cells.@*METHODS@#Mouse hypothalamic GT1-7 cells were treated with culture medium containing 10% FBS (control group, =3) or with 10 nmol/L, 100 nmol/L, 1 μmol/L and 10 μmol/L tLCA (tLCA group, =3) or CDCA (CDCA group, =3) for 12, 24 or 48 h. Real-time PCR was performed to determine the expression levels of proopiomelanocortin (POMC) mRNA in the cells, and the production levels of α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) were assessed using an ELISA kit. Signal transduction and activator of transcription 3 phosphorylation (p-STAT3), threonine kinase phosphorylation (p-AKT), suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3), G protein-coupled bile acid receptor-1 (TGR5) and farnesoid X receptor (FXR) protein were detected by Western blotting.@*RESULTS@#Western blotting results showed that mouse hypothalamic GT1-7 cells expressed two bile acid receptors, TGR5 and FXR, whose expressions were regulated by bile acids. Real-time PCR showed that the expression of POMC mRNA was significantly increased in the cells after treatment with 10 μmol/L tLCA or CDCA for 24 h. POMC-derived anorexigenic peptide α-MSH increased significantly in GT1-7 cells after treatment with 10 μmol/L tLCA or CDCA for 24 h. Treatment of the cells with tLCA or CDCA significantly increased the expressions of intracellular signaling proteins including p-STAT3, p-AKT and SOCS3.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Mouse hypothalamic GT1-7 cells express bile acid receptors TGR5 and FXR. Bile acids tLCA or CDCA can promote the expression of POMC mRNA and increase the production of the anorexigenic peptide α-MSH. The intracellular signaling proteins p-AKT, p-STAT3 and SOCS3 are likely involved in bile acid-induced anorexigenic peptide production.

Role of transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily M member 2 in hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury in the mouse and the underlying mechanisms / 中南大学学报(医学版)

OBJECTIVES@#To investigate the role of transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily M member 2 (TRPM2) in hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury of mouse (HIRI) and the possible mechanisms.@*METHODS@#Sixty adult male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into 4 groups: a sham group (S group), a HIRI model group (M group), a TRPM2 adenovirus interference vector group (T group), and a TRPM2 adenovirus control vector group (C group) (=15 in each group). The liver tissues of mice before perfusion were obtained. The efficiency of adenovirus infection was detected by fluorescence microscopy, and the silencing efficiency of adenovirus against TRPM2 was detected by real-time PCR.The abdominal aorta blood and liver tissues were collected from mice at 2, 4 and 8 h after reperfusion. The activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in serum of mice were detected. Hepatic pathological changes were examined by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. The protein expression of TRPM2 and Rac family small GTPase 1 (RAC1) in liver tissues was detected by Western blotting. Changes of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activities in liver tissues were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.@*RESULTS@#A strong signal of green fluorescence was observed in the liver tissues of mice in the T and C groups compared to the S or M group. Compared with the S, M or C group, the expression of TRPM2 mRNA in liver tissue in the T group was significantly down-regulated (all <0.05). The morphology of hepatocytes was normal in the S group under light microscope.Hepatic sinus dilatation, congestion, hepatocyte degeneration, central necrosis of lobule, and massive inflammatory granulocyte infiltration were observed in the M and C group, respectively. The degree of hepatocyte damage in the T group was significantly reduced compared with that in the M and C group, respectively. Compared with the S group, the serum ALT and AST activities in the M, T and C groups were significantly increased at 2, 4 and 8 h after reperfusion (all <0.05). Compared with the M or C group, the serum ALT and AST activities in the T group were significantly lower in serum of mice at 2, 4, and 8 h after reperfusion (all <0.05). Compared with the M or C group, the serum SOD activity in the T group was significantly increased at 2, 4, and 8 h after reperfusion (all <0.05), while the serum MDA and MPO activities were significantly decreased (all <0.05). The protein expression of TRPM2 and RAC1 in liver tissues in the T group were significantly lower than those in the M and C groups at 2, 4 and 8 h after reperfusion (all <0.05).@*CONCLUSIONS@#Pretreatment with TRPM2 adenovirus interference vector can effectively silence TRPM2 gene expression in liver tissues of mice and attenuate HIRI, which may be related to inhibiting oxidative stress and reducing the expression of RAC1 protein.

Characteristics of Pruritus according to Morphological Phenotype of Psoriasis and Association with Neuropeptides and Interleukin-31

Bile acids regulate anorexigenic neuropeptide through p-STAT3-SOCS3 signaling in mouse hypothalamic cells / 浙江大学学报·医学版

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the effects of taurolithocholic acid (tLCA) and chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) on the expression of aorexigenic neuropeptide in mouse hypothalamus GT1-7 cells.@*METHODS@#Mouse hypothalamic GT1-7 cells were treated with culture medium containing 10% FBS (control group, =3) or with 10 nmol/L, 100 nmol/L, 1 μmol/L and 10 μmol/L tLCA (tLCA group, =3) or CDCA (CDCA group, =3) for 12, 24 or 48 h. Real-time PCR was performed to determine the expression levels of proopiomelanocortin (POMC) mRNA in the cells, and the production levels of α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) were assessed using an ELISA kit. Signal transduction and activator of transcription 3 phosphorylation (p-STAT3), threonine kinase phosphorylation (p-AKT), suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3), G protein-coupled bile acid receptor-1 (TGR5) and farnesoid X receptor (FXR) protein were detected by Western blotting.@*RESULTS@#Western blotting results showed that mouse hypothalamic GT1-7 cells expressed two bile acid receptors, TGR5 and FXR, whose expressions were regulated by bile acids. Real-time PCR showed that the expression of POMC mRNA was significantly increased in the cells after treatment with 10 μmol/L tLCA or CDCA for 24 h. POMC-derived anorexigenic peptide α-MSH increased significantly in GT1-7 cells after treatment with 10 μmol/L tLCA or CDCA for 24 h. Treatment of the cells with tLCA or CDCA significantly increased the expressions of intracellular signaling proteins including p-STAT3, p-AKT and SOCS3.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Mouse hypothalamic GT1-7 cells express bile acid receptors TGR5 and FXR. Bile acids tLCA or CDCA can promote the expression of POMC mRNA and increase the production of the anorexigenic peptide α-MSH. The intracellular signaling proteins p-AKT, p-STAT3 and SOCS3 are likely involved in bile acid-induced anorexigenic peptide production.

Effects of intra-dentate gyrus microinjection of myokine irisin on long-term potentiation in male rats / Efeitos da microinjeção da miocina irisina no giro denteado sobre a potenciação a longo prazo em ratos machos

ABSTRACT Induction of long-term potentiation (LTP) increases the storage capacity of synapses in the hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG). Irisin is a myokine generated from FNDC5 (a gene precursor) during exercise. Although intra-cornu ammonis 1 administration of irisin fortifies LTP in mice with Alzheimer's disease, the effects of intra-DG injection of irisin on the LTP in rats remains to be elucidated in vivo. In this study, male Wistar rats were randomly divided into a control group (saline), irisin (0.5, 1, and 1.5 μg/rat), and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). After treatment, the population spike (PS) amplitude and slope of excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSP) were measured in the DG of rats in vivo. Moreover, following completion of the experiments, the stimulating and recording sites in the hippocampus were confirmed histologically from brain sections. Furthermore, biochemical assays like malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and total oxidant status (TOS) were evaluated (the antioxidant markers were analyzed in the plasma). Our results suggest that all doses of irisin (0.5, 1, 1.5 μg/rat) caused an increase in the EPSP slope and PS amplitude when compared with the control group. In addition, the results obtained showed that irisin decreased TOS and MDA levels while increasing TAC levels as a marker of lipid peroxidation in plasma. The present report provides direct evidence that irisin affects the activity-dependent synaptic plasticity in the dentate gyrus.

RESUMO A indução de potenciação de longo prazo (LTP) aumenta a capacidade de armazenamento das sinapses no giro denteado (DG) do hipocampo. A irisina é uma miocina gerada a partir do FNDC5 (um precursor genético) durante o exercício. Embora a administração intra-Cornu Ammonis1 de irisina fortaleça a LTP em camundongos com doença de Alzheimer, os efeitos da injeção intra-denteada de irisina sobre a LTP em ratos ainda precisam ser elucidados in vivo. Neste estudo, ratos Wistar machos foram divididos aleatoriamente em um grupo controle (solução salina), irisina (0,5, 1 e 1,5 μg / rato) e dimetilsulfóxido (DMSO). Após o tratamento, a amplitude do pico populacional (PS) e a variação dos potenciais pós-sinápticos excitatórios (EPSP) foram medidos no DG de ratos in vivo. Além disso, após a conclusão das experiências, os locais de estimulação e registro no hipocampo foram confirmados histologicamente a partir de secções do cérebro. Adicionalmente, ensaios bioquímicos como malondialdeído (MDA), capacidade antioxidante total (TAC) e status oxidante total (TOS) foram avaliados (os marcadores antioxidantes foram analisados no plasma). Nossos resultados sugerem que todas as doses de irisina (0,5, 1, 1,5 μg / rato) causaram um aumento na variação da EPSP e na amplitude da PS quando comparadas com o grupo controle. Além disso, os resultados obtidos mostraram que a irisina diminuiu os níveis de TOS e MDA, enquanto aumentou os níveis de TAC como um marcador da peroxidação lipídica no plasma. O presente estudo fornece evidências diretas de que a irisina afeta a plasticidade sináptica dependente de atividade no DG.

Modulatory effects of neuropeptides on pentylenetetrazol-induced epileptic seizures and neuroinflammation in rats

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE We aimed to explore the effects of neuropeptides ghrelin, obestatin, and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) on seizures and plasma concentrations of neuroinflammation biomarkers including calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), substance-P (SP), and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) in pentylenetetrazol-induced seizures in rats. METHODS Ghrelin (80 µg/kg), obestatin (1 µg/kg), VIP (25 ng/kg) or saline were administered to rats intraperitoneally 30 min before pentylenetetrazole (PTZ, 50 mg/kg) injections. Stages of epileptic seizures were evaluated by Racine's scale, and plasma CGRP, SP, and IL-1β concentrations were measured using ELISA. RESULTS Both obestatin and VIP shortened onset-time of generalized tonic-clonic seizure, respectively, moreover VIP also shortened the onset-time of first myoclonic-jerk induced by PTZ. While PTZ increased plasma CGRP, SP and IL-1β concentrations, ghrelin reduced the increases evoked by PTZ. While VIP further increased PTZ-evoked CGRP levels, it diminished IL-1β concentrations. However, obestatin did not change CGRP, SP, and IL-1β concentrations. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that ghrelin acts as an anticonvulsant, obestatin acts as a proconvulsant, and VIP has dual action on epilepsy. Receptors of those neuropeptides may be promising targets for epilepsy treatment.

RESUMO OBJETIVO Nosso objetivo foi explorar os efeitos dos neuropeptídeos grelina, obestatina e peptídeo intestinal vasoativo (VIP) nas convulsões e concentrações plasmáticas de biomarcadores neuroinflamatórios, incluindo peptídeo relacionado ao gene da calcitonina (CGRP), substância-P (SP) e interleucina-1 beta (IL-1β) em convulsões induzidas por pentilenotetrazol em ratos. MÉTODOS Grelina (80 µg/kg), obestatina (1 µg/kg), VIP (25 ng/kg) ou solução salina foram administrados a ratos intraperitonealmente 30 minutos antes de injeções de pentilenotetrazol (PTZ, 50 mg/kg). Os estágios das crises epilépticas foram avaliados pela escala de Racine e as concentrações plasmáticas de CGRP, SP e IL-1β foram medidas usando Elisa. RESULTADOS Tanto a obestatina quanto o VIP encurtaram o tempo de início da crise tônico-clônica generalizada, respectivamente. Além disso, o VIP também encurtou o tempo de início do primeiro impulso mioclônico induzido por PTZ. Enquanto o PTZ aumentou as concentrações plasmáticas de CGRP, SP e IL-1β, a grelina reduziu os aumentos evocados por PTZ. Enquanto o VIP aumenta ainda mais os níveis de CGRP evocados por PTZ, diminui as concentrações de IL-1β. No entanto, a obestatina não alterou as concentrações de CGRP, SP e IL-1β. CONCLUSÃO Nossos resultados sugerem que a grelina tem anticonvulsivante, a obestatina tem proconvulsivante e o VIP tem ação dupla na epilepsia. Receptores desses neuropeptídeos podem ser alvos promissores para o tratamento da epilepsia.

Mechanisms of action and clinical applications of anti-obesity drugs currently available in Korea

Over the last 5 years, the Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety has approved four anti-obesity drugs for long-term weight management. In this review, the mechanisms of action and clinical applications of lorcaserin, naltrexone/bupropion, liraglutide, and phentermine/topiramate have been clarified. Lorcaserin stimulates proopiomelanocortin/cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript neurons in the arcuate nucleus. Naltrexone/bupropion reduces body weight by controlling the hedonic reward system of food intake. The hypophagic effect of liraglutide depends on the direct activation of the proopiomelanocortin/cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript neurons and indirect suppression of neuropeptide Y/agouti-related peptide neurons through gammaaminobutyric acid-dependent signaling, with an additional thermogenic effect. Phentermine/topiramate induces weight loss by elevating the norepinephrine levels in the hypothalamus, reducing energy deposition in the adipose tissue and skeletal muscle, and elevating the corticotropin-releasing hormone in the hypothalamus. In patients with high cardiovascular risks or type 2 diabetes mellitus, lorcaserin and liraglutide are appropriate. In patients with mood disorders, naltrexone/bupropion could be considered as the first choice of therapy. Notably, lorcaserin and liraglutide are neutral in the aspect of sleep disorder. In case of obese individuals with obstructive sleep apnea, liraglutide or phentermine/topiramate would be selected as the treatment option. These four drugs should be used after considering the patients' co-morbidities of obesity.

Intermedin in Paraventricular Nucleus Attenuates Sympathoexcitation and Decreases TLR4-Mediated Sympathetic Activation via Adrenomedullin Receptors in Rats with Obesity-Related Hypertension / 神经科学通报·英文版

Intermedin/adrenomedullin-2 (IMD/AM2), a member of the calcitonin gene-related peptide/AM family, plays an important role in protecting the cardiovascular system. However, its role in the enhanced sympathoexcitation in obesity-related hypertension is unknown. In this study, we investigated the effects of IMD in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus on sympathetic nerve activity (SNA), and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced sympathetic activation in obesity-related hypertensive (OH) rats induced by a high-fat diet for 12 weeks. Acute experiments were performed under anesthesia. The dynamic alterations of sympathetic outflow were evaluated as changes in renal SNA and mean arterial pressure (MAP) in response to specific drugs. Male rats were fed a control diet (12% kcal as fat) or a high-fat diet (42% kcal as fat) for 12 weeks to induce OH. The results showed that IMD protein in the PVN was downregulated, but Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and plasma norepinephrine (NE, indicating sympathetic hyperactivity) levels, and systolic blood pressure were increased in OH rats. LPS (0.5 µg/50 nL)-induced enhancement of renal SNA and MAP was greater in OH rats than in obese or control rats. Bilateral PVN microinjection of IMD (50 pmol) caused greater decreases in renal SNA and MAP in OH rats than in control rats, and inhibited LPS-induced sympathetic activation, and these were effectively prevented in OH rats by pretreatment with the AM receptor antagonist AM22-52. The mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) inhibitor U0126 in the PVN partially reversed the LPS-induced enhancement of SNA. However, IMD in the PVN decreased the LPS-induced ERK activation, which was also effectively prevented by AM22-52. Chronic IMD administration resulted in significant reductions in the plasma NE level and blood pressure in OH rats. Moreover, IMD lowered the TLR4 protein expression and ERK activation in the PVN, and decreased the LPS-induced sympathetic overactivity. These results indicate that IMD in the PVN attenuates SNA and hypertension, and decreases the ERK activation implicated in the LPS-induced enhancement of SNA in OH rats, and this is mediated by AM receptors.

Short-term Haze Exposure Predisposes Healthy Volunteers to Nasal Inflammation

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the impact of short-term haze exposure on nasal inflammation in healthy volunteers. METHODS: Thirty-three healthy university students were assessed for nasal symptoms, nasal patency, upper and lower respiratory tract nitric oxide (NO) as well as inflammatory mediators and neuropeptides in nasal secretions before and after a 5-day haze episode. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were stimulated with particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of less than 2.5 μm (PM(2.5)), and cytokines in the supernatants were examined. RESULTS: Mild nasal symptoms were reported by some participants during the haze episode. Objective measures of nasal patency demonstrated that nasal airway resistance was significantly increased from baseline levels, while nasal cavity volume and minimum cross-sectional area were significantly decreased. Similarly, the levels of nasal and exhaled NO, eotaxin, interleukin (IL)-5, chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 17, IL-8, substance P, nerve growth factor and vasoactive intestinal peptides in nasal secretions were significantly increased from baseline values following the haze episode. In contrast, the levels of interferon-γ, IL-10, transforming growth factor-β and neuropeptide Y were significantly decreased. Incubation with 0.1-10 μg/mL PM(2.5) significantly increased release of IL-1β, IL-4, IL-5, IL-8 and IL-10 from PBMCs. CONCLUSIONS: Short-term haze exposure may lead to nasal inflammation and hypersensitivity in healthy subjects predominantly by Th2 cytokine-mediated immune responses.

Role of nociceptin/orphanin FQ and nociceptin opioid peptide receptor in depression and antidepressant effects of nociceptin opioid peptide receptor antagonists

Nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) and its receptor, nociceptin opioid peptide (NOP) receptor, are localized in brain areas implicated in depression including the amygdala, bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, habenula, and monoaminergic nuclei in the brain stem. N/OFQ inhibits neuronal excitability of monoaminergic neurons and monoamine release from their terminals by activation of G protein-coupled inwardly rectifying K⁺ channels and inhibition of voltage sensitive calcium channels, respectively. Therefore, NOP receptor antagonists have been proposed as a potential antidepressant. Indeed, mounting evidence shows that NOP receptor antagonists have antidepressant-like effects in various preclinical animal models of depression, and recent clinical studies again confirmed the idea that blockade of NOP receptor signaling could provide a novel strategy for the treatment of depression. In this review, we describe the pharmacological effects of N/OFQ in relation to depression and explore the possible mechanism of NOP receptor antagonists as potential antidepressants.

Learning and Oxytocin / 생물치료정신의학

Neuropeptide oxytocin serves as a neuromodulator in the brain and as a hormone in the body. Oxytocin as a hypothalamic hormone causes contractions during the second and third stages of labor and lets milk come out during breast feeding. As a neuromodulator, oxytocin that influences social affiliative behavior plays an important role in social cognition and emotional learning. Recent studies showed that oxytocin affects basic fear learning and fear extinction precess in a social context. Furthermore, oxytocin has anxiolytic and stress-dampening effects when combined with social support, i.e. a safety stimuli. Also, oxytocin enhances basic emotional learning precesses of both acquisition and extinction of an emotional content while simultaneously decreasing pain experiences. Oxytocin has involvement in attachment, and is shown to improve positive affective behavior in romantic relations. Social buffering effects that social touch and emotional and physical intimacy play crucial roles in coping with negative effects are assumed to be mediated through brain oxytocin mechanisms. Researches indicate that oxytocin significantly inhibits hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activity in response to stress, and consequently reduces cortisol levels. Conversely, exposure to stress triggers the release of intrahypothalamic and plasma oxytocin. These results suggest that oxytocin may be a new pavement in treating post-traumatic stress disorder and depression.

A Novel Bio-Psychosocial-Behavioral Treatment Model of Panic Disorder

To conceptualize a novel bio-psychosocial-behavioral treatment model of panic disorder (PD), it is necessary to completely integrate behavioral, psychophysiological, neurobiological, and genetic data. Molecular genetic research on PD is specifically focused on neurotransmitters, including serotonin, neuropeptides, glucocorticoids, and neurotrophins. Although pharmacological interventions for PD are currently available, the need for more effective, faster-acting, and more tolerable pharmacological interventions is unmet. Thus, glutamatergic receptor modulators, orexin receptor antagonists, corticotrophin-releasing factor 1 receptor antagonists, and other novel mechanism-based anti-panic therapeutics have been proposed. Research on the neural correlates of PD is focused on the dysfunctional “cross-talk” between emotional drive (limbic structure) and cognitive inhibition (prefrontal cortex) and the fear circuit, which includes the amygdala-hippocampus-prefrontal axis. The neural perspective regarding PD supports the idea that cognitive-behavioral therapy normalizes alterations in top-down cognitive processing, including increased threat expectancy and attention to threat. Consistent with the concept of “personalized medicine,” it is speculated that Research Domain Criteria can enlighten further treatments targeting dysfunctions underlying PD more precisely and provide us with better definitions of moderators used to identify subgroups according to different responses to treatment. Structuring of the “negative valence systems” domain, which includes fear/anxiety, is required to define PD. Therefore, targeting glutamate- and orexin-related molecular mechanisms associated with the fear circuit, which includes the amygdala-hippocampus-prefrontal cortex axis, is required to define a novel bio-psychosocial-behavioral treatment model of PD.

Ecdysis-related pleiotropic neuropeptides expression during Anopheles albimanus development / Expresión de neuropéptidos pleiotrópicos asociados con ecdisis durante el desarrollo del mosquito Anopheles albimanus

Abstract: Objective: To analyze the transcription pattern of neuropeptides in the ontogeny of a malaria vector, the mosquito Anopheles albimanus. Materials and methods: The transcription pattern of Crustacean CardioActive peptide (CCAP), corazonin, Ecdysis Triggering Hormone (ETH), allatostatin-A, orcokinin, Insulin Like Peptide 2 (ILP2), Insulin Like Peptide 5 (ILP5) and bursicon was evaluated using qPCR on larvae (1st - 4th instar), pupae and adult mosquitoes. Results: Unlike in other insects, transcripts of CCAP (70.8%), ETH (60.2%) and corazonin (76.5%) were expressed in 4th instar larvae, probably because these three neuropeptides are associated with the beginning of ecdysis. The neuropeptide ILP2 showed higher transcription levels in other stages and orcokinin decreased during the development of the mosquito. Conclusion: The CCAP, corazonin and ETH neuropeptides are potential targets for the design of control strategies aimed at disrupting An. albiamnus larval development.

Resumen: Objetivo: Describir la expresión de neuropéptidos durante la ontogenia del mosquito vector de la malaria Anopheles albimanus. Material y métodos: Se midió la expresión de CCAP, corazonina, ETH, allatostatina, orcokinina, ILP2, ILP5 y bursicon en larvas de primer (2mm), segundo (4mm), tercer (5mm) y cuarto (6mm) estadio, pupas y mosquitos adultos, mediante qPCR. Resultados. A diferencia de otros insectos en donde, CCAP, corazonina y ETH se expresan principalmente en estadios pupales, en An. albimanus se expresaron mayoritariamente en larvas de cuarto estadio, CCAP tuvo 70.8% de expresión relativa, corazonina 76.5% y ETH 60.2%. ILP2 fue el neuropéptido que más se expresó en el primer, segundo y tercer estadio y orcokinina disminuyó durante el desarrollo del mosquito. Conclusión. Los péptidos estudiados se expresaron en todos los estadios de desarrollo del mosquito. Sin embargo, su expresión varió en cada uno de ellos. Los neuropéptidos CCAP, corazonina y ETH, que son esenciales para la transformación de lavas a pupas, pueden ser blancos potenciales para el diseño de estrategias de control dirigidas a interrumpir el desarrollo larvario de An. albimanus.

Comparison of Angiogenic Activities of Three Neuropeptides, Substance P, Secretoneurin, and Neuropeptide Y Using Myocardial Infarction

BACKGROUND: The interplay between neurogenesis and angiogenesis is crucial during the development mediated by neuro-angiogenic morphogens. In particular, the angiogenic activity of neuropeptides and their role in tissue regeneration have long been investigated for better understanding of their biological mechanisms and further applications. However, there have been few studies for direct comparison of angiogenic activities of neuropeptides for in vitro and in vivo models. In this study, we report that direct comparison of the angiogenic activities of neuropeptide Y, secretoneurin, and substance P (SP) immobilized on hydrogels in in vitro and in vivo experiments. METHODS: A hyaluronic acid-based hydrogel is prepared by utilizing acrylated hyaluronic acid and thiolated peptides as a crosslinker and angiogenic factors, respectively. Angiogenic activities of three neuropeptides are evaluated not only by in vitro angiogenic and gene expression assays, but also by an in vivo chronic myocardial infarction model. RESULTS: The comparison of in vitro angiogenic activities of three peptides demonstrates that the SP-immobilized hydrogel shows a higher degree of cell network formation and angiogenic-specific genes than those of the other peptides and the control case. In addition, a three-dimensional angiogenic assay illustrates that more sprouting is observable in the SP group. Evaluation of regenerative activity in the chronic myocardial infarction model reveals that all three peptideimmobilized hydrogels induce increased cardiac function as well as structural regeneration. Among all the cases, the SP group provided the highest regenerative activity both in vitro and in vivo. CONCLUSION: In our comparison study, the SP-immobilized hydrogel shows the highest angiogenic activity and tissue regeneration among the test groups. This result suggests that nerve regeneration factors help angiogenesis in damaged tissues, which also highlights the importance of the neuro-angiogenic peptides as an element of tissue regeneration.

Puerarin attenuates angiotensin II-induced cardiac fibroblast proliferation via the promotion of catalase activity and the inhibition of hydrogen peroxide-dependent Rac-1 activation / 中国天然药物

The aims of the present study were to evaluate the effects of puerarin on angiotensin II-induced cardiac fibroblast proliferation and to explore the molecular mechanisms of action. Considering the role of HO in nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase activation, we hypothesized that modulating catalase activity would be a potential target in regulating the redox-sensitive pathways. Our results showed that the activation of Rac1 was dependent on the levels of intracellular HO. Puerarin blocked the phosphorylation of extracellular regulated protein kinases (ERK)1/2, abolished activator protein (AP)-1 binding activity, and eventually attenuated cardiac fibroblast proliferation through the inhibition of HO-dependent Rac1 activation. Further studies revealed that angiotensin II treatment resulted in decreased catalase protein expression and enzyme activity, which was disrupted by puerarin via the upregulation of catalase protein expression at the transcriptional level and the prolonged protein degradation. These findings indicated that the anti-proliferation mechanism of puerarin was mainly through blocking angiontensin II-triggered downregulation of catalase expression and HO-dependent Rac1 activation.