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Santoro M, De Amicis F, Aquila S, Bonofiglio D. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma expression along the male genital system and its role in male fertility. Hum Reprod 2020; 35:2072-2085. [PMID: 32766764 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deaa153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2020] [Revised: 05/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) acts as a ligand activated transcription factor and regulates processes, such as energy homeostasis, cell proliferation and differentiation. PPARγ binds to DNA as a heterodimer with retinoid X receptor and it is activated by polyunsaturated fatty acids and fatty acid derivatives, such as prostaglandins. In addition, the insulin-sensitizing thiazolidinediones, such as rosiglitazone, are potent and specific activators of PPARγ. PPARγ is present along the hypothalamic-pituitary-testis axis and in the testis, where low levels in Leydig cells and higher levels in Sertoli cells as well as in germ cells have been found. High amounts of PPARγ were reported in the normal epididymis and in the prostate, but the receptor was almost undetectable in the seminal vesicles. Interestingly, in the human and in pig, PPARγ protein is highly expressed in ejaculated spermatozoa, suggesting a possible role of PPARγ signaling in the regulation of sperm biology. This implies that both natural and synthetic PPARγ ligands may act directly on sperm improving its performance. Given the close link between energy balance and reproduction, activation of PPARγ may have promising metabolic implications in male reproductive functions. In this review, we first describe PPARγ expression in different compartments of the male reproductive axis. Subsequently, we discuss the role of PPARγ in both physiological and several pathological conditions related to the male fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Santoro
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences (Department of Excellence, Italian Law 232/2016), Arcavacata di Rende, Cosenza 87036, Italy.,Centro Sanitario, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, Cosenza 87036, Italy
| | - Francesca De Amicis
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences (Department of Excellence, Italian Law 232/2016), Arcavacata di Rende, Cosenza 87036, Italy
| | - Saveria Aquila
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences (Department of Excellence, Italian Law 232/2016), Arcavacata di Rende, Cosenza 87036, Italy.,Centro Sanitario, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, Cosenza 87036, Italy
| | - Daniela Bonofiglio
- Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences (Department of Excellence, Italian Law 232/2016), Arcavacata di Rende, Cosenza 87036, Italy.,Centro Sanitario, University of Calabria, Arcavacata di Rende, Cosenza 87036, Italy
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Imbernon M, Whyte L, Diaz-Arteaga A, Russell WR, Moreno NR, Vazquez MJ, Gonzalez CR, Díaz-Ruiz A, Lopez M, Malagón MM, Ross RA, Dieguez C, Nogueiras R. Regulation of GPR55 in rat white adipose tissue and serum LPI by nutritional status, gestation, gender and pituitary factors. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2014; 383:159-69. [PMID: 24378736 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2013.12.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2013] [Revised: 12/19/2013] [Accepted: 12/20/2013] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The G protein-coupled receptor GPR55 has been proposed as a new cannabinoid receptor associated with obesity in humans. We have investigated the regulation of GPR55 in rat white adipose tissue (WAT) in different physiological and pathophysiological settings involved in energy balance. We compared GPR55 expression with Cannabinoid Receptor type 1 (CB1), which mediates the metabolic actions of endocannabinoids, by real time PCR and western blotting. Circulating levels of lysophosphatidylinositol (LPI), the endogenous ligand of GPR55, were measured by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Both WAT CB1 and GPR55 levels were increased after fasting and recovered after leptin treatment. Their expression was decreased during gestation and increased throughout lifespan. Orchidectomy diminished WAT CB1 and GPR55 expression whereas ovariectomized rats showed increased GPR55 but decreased CB1 levels. Alterations in pituitary functions also modified WAT CB1 and GPR55 levels. Serum LPI levels were inversely regulated by fasting and gonadectomy in comparison to WAT GPR55. Our findings indicate that GPR55 and LPI are regulated by different physiological and pathophysiological settings known to be associated with marked alterations in energy status.
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MESH Headings
- Adipose Tissue, White/drug effects
- Adipose Tissue, White/metabolism
- Age Factors
- Animals
- Energy Metabolism
- Fasting
- Female
- Gene Expression Regulation
- Gestational Age
- Leptin/pharmacology
- Lysophospholipids/blood
- Male
- Nutritional Status/genetics
- Orchiectomy
- Ovariectomy
- Pituitary Gland/drug effects
- Pituitary Gland/metabolism
- Rats
- Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1/genetics
- Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1/metabolism
- Receptors, Cannabinoid/genetics
- Receptors, Cannabinoid/metabolism
- Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled/genetics
- Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled/metabolism
- Sex Factors
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Imbernon
- Department of Physiology, CIMUS, University of Santiago de Compostela-Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria, Santiago de Compostela 15782, Spain; CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERobn), Santiago de Compostela 15706, Spain
| | - Lauren Whyte
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Adenis Diaz-Arteaga
- Department of Physiology, CIMUS, University of Santiago de Compostela-Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria, Santiago de Compostela 15782, Spain; CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERobn), Santiago de Compostela 15706, Spain
| | - Wendy R Russell
- Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen AB21 9SB, UK
| | - Natalia R Moreno
- CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERobn), Santiago de Compostela 15706, Spain; Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Instituto Maimónides de Investigaciones Biomédicas (IMIBIC)/Hospital Universitario Reina Sofia/University of Cordoba, 14004 Córdoba, Spain
| | - María J Vazquez
- Department of Physiology, CIMUS, University of Santiago de Compostela-Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria, Santiago de Compostela 15782, Spain; CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERobn), Santiago de Compostela 15706, Spain
| | - Carmen R Gonzalez
- Department of Physiology, CIMUS, University of Santiago de Compostela-Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria, Santiago de Compostela 15782, Spain; CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERobn), Santiago de Compostela 15706, Spain
| | - Alberto Díaz-Ruiz
- CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERobn), Santiago de Compostela 15706, Spain; Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Instituto Maimónides de Investigaciones Biomédicas (IMIBIC)/Hospital Universitario Reina Sofia/University of Cordoba, 14004 Córdoba, Spain
| | - Miguel Lopez
- Department of Physiology, CIMUS, University of Santiago de Compostela-Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria, Santiago de Compostela 15782, Spain; CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERobn), Santiago de Compostela 15706, Spain
| | - Maria M Malagón
- CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERobn), Santiago de Compostela 15706, Spain; Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Instituto Maimónides de Investigaciones Biomédicas (IMIBIC)/Hospital Universitario Reina Sofia/University of Cordoba, 14004 Córdoba, Spain
| | - Ruth A Ross
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto M5S 1A8, Canada
| | - Carlos Dieguez
- Department of Physiology, CIMUS, University of Santiago de Compostela-Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria, Santiago de Compostela 15782, Spain; CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERobn), Santiago de Compostela 15706, Spain.
| | - Ruben Nogueiras
- Department of Physiology, CIMUS, University of Santiago de Compostela-Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria, Santiago de Compostela 15782, Spain; CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERobn), Santiago de Compostela 15706, Spain.
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Pérez-Sieira S, López M, Nogueiras R, Tovar S. Regulation of NR4A by nutritional status, gender, postnatal development and hormonal deficiency. Sci Rep 2014; 4:4264. [PMID: 24584059 PMCID: PMC3939456 DOI: 10.1038/srep04264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2013] [Accepted: 02/14/2014] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The NR4A is a subfamily of the orphan nuclear receptors (NR) superfamily constituted by three well characterized members: Nur77 (NR4A1), Nurr1 (NR4A2) and Nor 1 (NR4A3). They are implicated in numerous biological processes as DNA repair, arteriosclerosis, cell apoptosis, carcinogenesis and metabolism. Several studies have demonstrated the role of this subfamily on glucose metabolism, insulin sensitivity and energy balance. These studies have focused mainly in liver and skeletal muscle. However, its potential role in white adipose tissue (WAT), one of the most important tissues involved in the regulation of energy homeostasis, is not well-studied. The aim of this work was to elucidate the regulation of NR4A in WAT under different physiological and pathophysiological settings involved in energy balance such as fasting, postnatal development, gender, hormonal deficiency and pregnancy. We compared NR4A mRNA expression of Nur77, Nurr1 and Nor 1 and found a clear regulation by nutritional status, since the expression of the 3 isoforms is increased after fasting in a leptin-independent manner and sex steroid hormones also modulate NR4A expression in males and females. Our findings indicate that NR4A are regulated by different physiological and pathophysiological settings known to be associated with marked alterations in glucose metabolism and energy status.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Pérez-Sieira
- 1] Department of Physiology, CIMUS, University of Santiago de Compostela-Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria, Santiago de Compostela, 15782, Spain [2] CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERobn), 15706, Spain
| | - M López
- 1] Department of Physiology, CIMUS, University of Santiago de Compostela-Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria, Santiago de Compostela, 15782, Spain [2] CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERobn), 15706, Spain
| | - R Nogueiras
- 1] Department of Physiology, CIMUS, University of Santiago de Compostela-Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria, Santiago de Compostela, 15782, Spain [2] CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERobn), 15706, Spain
| | - S Tovar
- 1] Department of Physiology, CIMUS, University of Santiago de Compostela-Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria, Santiago de Compostela, 15782, Spain [2] CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y Nutrición (CIBERobn), 15706, Spain
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González CR, Novelle MG, Caminos JE, Vázquez MJ, Luque RM, López M, Nogueiras R, Diéguez C. Regulation of lipin1 by nutritional status, adiponectin, sex and pituitary function in rat white adipose tissue. Physiol Behav 2011; 105:777-83. [PMID: 22051776 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2011.10.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2011] [Revised: 08/16/2011] [Accepted: 10/13/2011] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Lipin1 is a member of the lipin protein family that plays an important role in the regulation of lipid metabolism. The endogenous role of lipin1 was demonstrated by the fact that mutations in lipin1 caused lipodystrophy and metabolic disorders. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of nutritional status, pregnancy, insulin-sensitizers and pituitary hormones on lipin1 mRNA levels in adipose tissue of rats. Lipin1 gene expression was induced in conditions of hypoleptinemia (fasting) and leptin resistance (high fat diet), whereas it was decreased by high circulating leptin levels (leptin administration, pregnancy) and in leptin-deficient mice. Lipin1 mRNA levels were also decreased in adiponectin-deficient mice. Lipin1 mRNA levels are influenced by age in female rats, with peak expression at 25th day of life and decreasing thereafter. Consistently, ovariectomy increased lipin1 expression indicating that estrogens modulate lipin1. Finally, lipin1 was also regulated by pituitary hormones, since its expression was modified by thyroid status and growth hormone deficiency. Our observations indicate that: a) gWAT lipin1 mRNA levels are regulated by nutritional status, and leptin plays an important role in this regard, b) lipin1 is modulated by adiponectin, c) lipin1 is influenced by age and sex, and d) alterations in pituitary function modify lipin1 mRNA levels. To dissect the complicated interactions between key regulators of lipid metabolism like lipin1, may be important for the development of new therapies for the treatment and prevention of obesity and its associated disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Ruth González
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine-Instituto de Investigaciones Sanitarias (IDIS), University of Santiago de Compostela, Spain
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González CR, Caminos JE, Vázquez MJ, Garcés MF, Cepeda LA, Angel A, González AC, García-Rendueles ME, Sangiao-Alvarellos S, López M, Bravo SB, Nogueiras R, Diéguez C. Regulation of visceral adipose tissue-derived serine protease inhibitor by nutritional status, metformin, gender and pituitary factors in rat white adipose tissue. J Physiol 2009; 587:3741-50. [PMID: 19470778 DOI: 10.1113/jphysiol.2009.172510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Visceral adipose tissue-derived serine protease inhibitor (vaspin) is a recently discovered adipocytokine mainly secreted from visceral adipose tissue, which plays a main role in insulin sensitivity. In this study, we have investigated the regulation of vaspin gene expression in rat white adipose tissue (WAT) in different physiological (nutritional status, pregnancy, age and gender) and pathophysiological (gonadectomy, thyroid status and growth hormone deficiency) settings known to be associated with energy homeostasis and alterations in insulin sensitivity. We have determined vaspin gene expression by real-time PCR. Vaspin was decreased after fasting and its levels were partially recovered after leptin treatment. Chronic treatment with metformin increased vaspin gene expression. Vaspin mRNA expression reached the highest peak at 45 days in both sexes after birth and its expression was higher in females than males, but its levels did not change throughout pregnancy. Finally, decreased levels of growth hormone and thyroid hormones suppressed vaspin expression. These findings suggest that WAT vaspin mRNA expression is regulated by nutritional status, and leptin seems to be the nutrient signal responsible for those changes. Vaspin is influenced by age and gender, and its expression is increased after treatment with insulin sensitizers. Finally, alterations in pituitary functions modify vaspin levels. Understanding the molecular mechanisms regulating vaspin will provide new insights into the pathogenesis of the metabolic syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- C R González
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Santiago de Compostela and CIBER Fisiopatología de la Obesidad y la Nutrición (CIBERobn), S. Francisco s/n, 15782, Santiago de Compostela (A Coruña), Spain
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Caminos JE, Bravo SB, García-rendueles ME, Ruth González C, Garcés MF, Cepeda LA, Lage R, Suárez MA, López M, Diéguez C. Expression of neuropeptide W in rat stomach mucosa: Regulation by nutritional status, glucocorticoids and thyroid hormones. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2008; 146:106-11. [DOI: 10.1016/j.regpep.2007.08.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2007] [Revised: 07/16/2007] [Accepted: 08/28/2007] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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Gallo D, Zannoni GF, Fabrizi M, De Stefano I, Mantuano E, Scambia G. Comparative effects of 17beta-estradiol and phytoestrogens in the regulation of endometrial functions in the rodent uterus. J Endocrinol Invest 2008; 31:48-56. [PMID: 18296905 DOI: 10.1007/bf03345566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
The present study aimed at improving our understanding of the effects of 17beta-estradiol and phytoestrogens on the uterine tissue, by evaluating tissue-specific modulation of molecules related to cell-cycle control and angiogenesis. Specifically, the uterine expression of Ki67, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma), and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGFR-2), was examined by immunohistochemical analysis. Ovariectomized (OVX) rats were treated with either the vehicle, a phytoestrogen- containing soy extract (SSE) (100 mg/kg/day pos), or 17beta-estradiol (0.5 mg/kg/day pos); a sham control group (SHAM) was also included in the study. At necropsy, uteri were weighed, collected, and subsequently processed for histopathology or immunohistochemistry. SSE-treated rats did not show any significant change either in the weight or in histological features of the uterus when compared to OVX controls; the epithelial expression of proliferation marker Ki67 was seen to be significantly reduced, in comparison to both SHAM and OVX rats. Conversely, 17beta-estradiol significantly increased uterine weight, induced hyperplasia in the majority of rats, and enhanced Ki67 epithelial expression. The regulation of PPARgamma expression, reduced after ovariectomy, was similar in SSE- and 17beta-estradiol-treated rats, showing a further significant decrease in stromal immunostaining, in comparison to OVX controls. VEGFR-2 epithelial immunostaining, slightly reduced following ovariectomy, was highly increased on 17beta-estradiol treatment, while following SSE, the pattern of staining observed was similar to that of OVX controls. Data from this study show that PPARgamma and VEGFR-2 represent additional targets by which sex steroid estrogen and plant-derived phytoestrogens may, at certain doses, differentially regulate endometrial functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Gallo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, 00168 Rome, Italy
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Lage R, González CR, Diéguez C, López M. Nicotine treatment regulates neuropeptide S system expression in the rat brain. Neurotoxicology 2007; 28:1129-35. [PMID: 17645946 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2007.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2006] [Revised: 06/06/2007] [Accepted: 06/06/2007] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Nicotine has marked effects on sleep, arousal and body weight. However, the neuronal mechanisms underlying these actions are not fully understood. Neuropeptide S (NPS) is a recently discovered neuropeptide regulating sleep, anxiety and feeding. Here, we examined the effect of acute and chronic nicotine treatment on the expression of NPS and its receptor (NPS-R) in the hypothalamus and brainstem of rats by using real-time PCR. Our results showed that chronic nicotine treatment induced significant changes in NPS and NPS-R expression whereas acute treatment exclusively induces a marked increase in the mRNA levels of NPS-R in the brainstem. Interestingly, we detected no changes in the expression levels of other set of genes present both in hypothalamus and brainstem. Overall, these data suggest that NPS system is specifically regulated by nicotine in the rat hypothalamus and brainstem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo Lage
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, Spain
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Occhi G, Albiger N, Berlucchi S, Gardiman M, Scanarini M, Scienza R, Fassina A, Mantero F, Scaroni C. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma in the human pituitary gland: expression and splicing pattern in adenomas versus normal pituitary. J Neuroendocrinol 2007; 19:552-9. [PMID: 17561883 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2826.2007.01562.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Pituitary adenomas are slow-growing tumours arising within the pituitary gland. If secreting, they give rise to well-known syndromes such as Cushing's disease or acromegaly; when hormonally inactive, they come to clinical attention often with local mass effects or pituitary deficiency. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma), a nuclear hormone receptor with a key role in fat and glucose metabolism, but also involved in several neoplasia, has recently been detected in pituitary adenomas. In the present study, we evaluated the occurrence and splicing profile of PPARgamma in 43 cases of pituitary adenoma of different subtypes and compared it to 12 normal pituitary glands. By real-time polymerase chain reaction, PPARgamma was expressed as much in adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH)-secreting and ACTH-silent adenomas as in controls, with a moderate underexpression in somatotrophinomas and prolactinomas and overexpression in 54% of nonfunctioning pituitary adenomas (NFPA). There was no apparent qualitative change in the splicing profile of pathological pituitary glands, nor was the presence of specific isoforms with dominant negative effects against PPARgamma detected. Western blotting revealed similar expression levels in the different subgroups of pituitary adenomas and normal glands. Immunohistochemistry confirmed PPARgamma expression in approximately one-half of analysed samples. The intra- and intergroup differences observed in pituitary adenomas may represent new elements in the process of understanding the different clinical responses of Cushing's and Nelson patients to PPARgamma-ligand treatment. Moreover, the higher level of PPARgamma expression detected in the NFPA subgroup may suggest its possible role as a molecular target in these pituitary adenomas, paving the way for investigations on the effectiveness of treatment with thiazolidinediones in such patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Occhi
- Division of Endocrinology, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Padova, Italy
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Lage R, Diéguez C, López M. Caffeine treatment regulates neuropeptide S system expression in the rat brain. Neurosci Lett 2006; 410:47-51. [PMID: 17055161 DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2006.09.064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2006] [Revised: 09/22/2006] [Accepted: 09/25/2006] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Caffeine has marked effects on sleep, arousal and food intake. However, the neuronal mechanisms underlying these actions are not fully understood. Neuropeptide S (NPS) is a recently discovered neuropeptide regulating both sleep and feeding. Here, we examined the effect of acute and chronic caffeine treatment on the expression of neuropeptide S and its receptor (NPS-R) in the hypothalamus and brainstem of rats by using real-time PCR. Our results showed that acute caffeine treatment induces a marked decrease in the mRNA levels of NPS in the brainstem, whilst the expression levels NPS-R are increased in both hypothalamus and brainstem after caffeine treatment. The timing of both processes differs, with acute treatment affecting brainstem NPS-R expression and chronic treatment affecting hypothalamic NPS-R expression. Overall, these data suggest a possible role for the NPS system in mediating some of the behavioral effects of caffeine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo Lage
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Santiago de Compostela, S. Francisco s/n 15782, Santiago de Compostela, A Coruña, Spain
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