Circadian rhythm and effects of light on cAMP content of the dwarf hamster suprachiasmatic nucleus

Norepinephrine in mice inhibits secretion of splenic IL-6 during the dark period but stimulates its secretion in the light period—possible role of the corticosterone tone

In early morning hours, a rise of serum cytokines such as IL-6 was described. This study aimed to find reasons for this phenomenon focussing on NE and corticosterone. Mouse spleen slices were electrically stimulated (ES) in a microsuperfusion chamber in order to release endogenous NE. ES inhibited IL-6 secretion when animals were sacrificed at 03:00 and 06:00 (both p<0.001) but it increased its secretion from spleen slice removed at 09:00 (p=0.026). Prior administration of corticosterone or the glucocorticoid antagonist RU486 abrogated these ES effects. Endogenous NE via alpha- and beta-adrenoceptors mediated this time-dependent differential effects. This study demonstrates that cooperation of endogenous NE and corticosterone are involved in a time-dependent fall or rise of splenic IL-6 secretion.

Cyclic AMP and protein kinase A rhythmicity in the mammalian suprachiasmatic nuclei

The levels of cyclic AMP and protein kinase A, as well as the activity of this enzyme, were measured in the hamster suprachiasmatic nuclei at different time points throughout the daily or circadian cycle. Significant diurnal variations for levels of AMPc and the catalytic subunit of protein kinase A and the activity of this enzyme were found. All of these parameters tended to increase throughout the nocturnal phase, reaching higher values at the end of the night and the beginning of the day and minimal values around the time of lights off. This rhythmicity appears to be under exogenous control, since constant darkness abolished fluctuations throughout the circadian cycle. In vitro incubation in the presence of melatonin during the day significantly decreased cyclic AMP levels and basal protein kinase A activity in the SCN, while neither neuropeptide Y nor light pulses affected these parameters. These results suggest a significant diurnal regulation of the cyclic AMP-dependent system in the hamster circadian clock.

Evidence for increased nitric oxide production in the auditory brain stem of the aged dwarf hamster (Phodopus sungorus): an NADPH-diaphorase histochemical study

Age-related changes of the auditory system such as presbyacusis are believed to be due, at least in part, to alterations of central structures. The superior olivary complex (SOC), a group of interrelated brain stem nuclei, projects to a variety of neuronal structures including the cochlea and the inferior colliculus (IC). The soluble gas nitric oxide (NO), believed to function as a neuroactive substance within the SOC and cochlea, is thought to be involved in ageing processes. Since it is unknown whether NO-production is altered in the ageing auditory system, the present study was conducted to investigate whether the number of NO-producing cells in the SOC is changed with increasing age. The histochemical detection of NADPH-diaphorase activity (NADPH-d), a marker for neurons containing NOS, was utilized to investigate the numbers of NO-producing cells in the SOC of adult and senile Djungarian dwarf hamsters (Phodopus sungorus). Our results demonstrate that the number of stained neurons was almost doubled in the SOC of senile hamsters. The most distinct changes were observed in the medial nucleus of the trapezoid body. In contrast, NO-producing preganglionic sympathetic neurons of the spinal intermediolateral nucleus, which was studied for comparison, did not exhibit significant differences between adult and senile animals. It is concluded that the increase of NO-production in the ageing auditory brain stem, as revealed by our data, may be related to hearing impairments with increasing age.

Inhibition of protein kinase A phase delays the mammalian circadian clock

The suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) contain the mammalian circadian clock whose rhythm of firing rate can be recorded in vitro for several days. Application of a protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitor onto the SCN at Zeitgeber time (ZT) 10 on the first day in vitro phase delayed the rhythm of firing rate expressed by SCN neurons on the subsequent day in vitro. Application of the inhibitor (Rp-cAMPS) at other circadian phases did not phase shift the rhythm. These results suggest that during approximately 1 h in the late subjective day the presence and activity of PKA plays a role in setting the phase of the mammalian circadian clock.