1
|
Lékó AH, Gregory-Flores A, Marchette RCN, Gomez JL, Vendruscolo JCM, Repunte-Canonigo V, Choung V, Deschaine SL, Whiting KE, Jackson SN, Cornejo MP, Perello M, You ZB, Eckhaus M, Rasineni K, Janda KD, Zorman B, Sumazin P, Koob GF, Michaelides M, Sanna PP, Vendruscolo LF, Leggio L. Genetic or pharmacological GHSR blockade has sexually dimorphic effects in rodents on a high-fat diet. Commun Biol 2024; 7:632. [PMID: 38796563 PMCID: PMC11127961 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-06303-5] [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: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The stomach-derived hormone ghrelin regulates essential physiological functions. The ghrelin receptor (GHSR) has ligand-independent actions; therefore, GHSR gene deletion may be a reasonable approach to investigate the role of this system in feeding behaviors and diet-induced obesity (DIO). Here, we investigate the effects of a long-term (12-month) high-fat (HFD) versus regular diet on obesity-related measures in global GHSR-KO and wild-type (WT) Wistar male and female rats. Our main findings are that the GHSR gene deletion protects against DIO and decreases food intake during HFD in male but not in female rats. GHSR gene deletion increases thermogenesis and brain glucose uptake in male rats and modifies the effects of HFD on brain glucose metabolism in a sex-specific manner, as assessed with small animal positron emission tomography. We use RNA-sequencing to show that GHSR-KO rats have upregulated expression of genes responsible for fat oxidation in brown adipose tissue. Central administration of a novel GHSR inverse agonist, PF-5190457, attenuates ghrelin-induced food intake, but only in male, not in female mice. HFD-induced binge-like eating is reduced by inverse agonism in both sexes. Our results support GHSR as a promising target for new pharmacotherapies for obesity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- András H Lékó
- Clinical Psychoneuroendocrinology and Neuropsychopharmacology Section, Translational Addiction Medicine Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program and National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Division of Intramural Clinical and Biological Research, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Center on Compulsive Behaviors, Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Adriana Gregory-Flores
- Clinical Psychoneuroendocrinology and Neuropsychopharmacology Section, Translational Addiction Medicine Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program and National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Division of Intramural Clinical and Biological Research, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Neurobiology of Addiction Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Renata C N Marchette
- Neurobiology of Addiction Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Juan L Gomez
- Biobehavioral Imaging and Molecular Neuropsychopharmacology Unit, Neuroimaging Research Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Janaina C M Vendruscolo
- Neurobiology of Addiction Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Vez Repunte-Canonigo
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Vicky Choung
- Clinical Psychoneuroendocrinology and Neuropsychopharmacology Section, Translational Addiction Medicine Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program and National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Division of Intramural Clinical and Biological Research, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Neurobiology of Addiction Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Sara L Deschaine
- Clinical Psychoneuroendocrinology and Neuropsychopharmacology Section, Translational Addiction Medicine Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program and National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Division of Intramural Clinical and Biological Research, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Kimberly E Whiting
- Clinical Psychoneuroendocrinology and Neuropsychopharmacology Section, Translational Addiction Medicine Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program and National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Division of Intramural Clinical and Biological Research, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Neurobiology of Addiction Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Shelley N Jackson
- Translational Analytical Core, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Maria Paula Cornejo
- Grupo de Neurofisiología, Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Celular (IMBICE), Universidad Nacional La Plata (UNLP), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) y Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (CIC-PBA), La Plata, Argentina
| | - Mario Perello
- Grupo de Neurofisiología, Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Celular (IMBICE), Universidad Nacional La Plata (UNLP), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) y Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas de la Provincia de Buenos Aires (CIC-PBA), La Plata, Argentina
| | - Zhi-Bing You
- Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Michael Eckhaus
- Pathology Service, Division of Veterinary Resources, Office of Research Services, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Karuna Rasineni
- Research Service, Veterans Affairs Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System, Omaha, NE, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Kim D Janda
- Department of Chemistry, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Barry Zorman
- Department of Pediatrics, Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Pavel Sumazin
- Department of Pediatrics, Dan L. Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - George F Koob
- Neurobiology of Addiction Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Michael Michaelides
- Biobehavioral Imaging and Molecular Neuropsychopharmacology Unit, Neuroimaging Research Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Pietro P Sanna
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Leandro F Vendruscolo
- Stress and Addiction Neuroscience Unit, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program and National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Division of Intramural Clinical and Biological Research, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - Lorenzo Leggio
- Clinical Psychoneuroendocrinology and Neuropsychopharmacology Section, Translational Addiction Medicine Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program and National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism Division of Intramural Clinical and Biological Research, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- Translational Analytical Core, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, School of Public Health, Brown University, Providence, RI, USA.
- Division of Addiction Medicine, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- Department of Neuroscience, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington DC, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Smith A, Rodrigues T, Wallace C, Mezher K, MacAulay B, Prowse R, Hyland L, Abizaid A. Growth Hormone Secretagogue Receptor (GHSR) Signaling in the Ventral Tegmental Area (VTA) Mediates Feeding Produced by Chronic Social Defeat Stress in Male Mice. Neuroscience 2024; 547:17-27. [PMID: 38583506 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2024.03.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
Ghrelin, a hormone secreted by the stomach, binds to the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR) in various brain regions to produce a number of behavioral effects that include increased feeding motivation. During social defeat stress, ghrelin levels rise in correlation with increased feeding and potentially play a role in attenuating the anxiogenic effects of social defeat. One region implicated in the feeding effects of ghrelin is the ventral tegmental area (VTA), a region implicated in reward seeking behaviors, and linked to social defeat in mice. Here we examined the role of GHSR signaling in the VTA in feeding behavior in mice exposed to social defeat stress. Male C57BL/J6 mice that were socially defeated once daily for 3 weeks ate more, had higher plasma ghrelin level and increased GHSR expression in the VTA compared to non-stressed mice. Socially defeated GHSR KO mice failed to increase their caloric intake in response to this stressor but rescue of GHSR expression in the VTA restored feeding responses. Finally, we pharmacologically blocked VTA GHSR signalling with JMV2959 infused via an indwelling VTA cannula connected to a minipump. Vehicle-treated mice increased their caloric intake during social defeat, but JMV2959-infusions attenuated feeding responses and increased anxiety-like behaviors. The data suggest that GHSR signalling in the VTA is critical for the increases in appetite observed during chronic social defeat stress. Furthermore, these data support the idea that GHSR signaling in the VTA may also have anxiolytic effects, and blocking GHSR in this region may result in an anxiety-like phenotype.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Smith
- Carleton University, Neuroscience Department, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Trevor Rodrigues
- Carleton University, Neuroscience Department, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Caroline Wallace
- Carleton University, Neuroscience Department, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Karen Mezher
- Carleton University, Neuroscience Department, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Brenna MacAulay
- Carleton University, Neuroscience Department, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Rebecca Prowse
- Carleton University, Neuroscience Department, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Lindsay Hyland
- Carleton University, Neuroscience Department, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Alfonso Abizaid
- Carleton University, Neuroscience Department, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Tufvesson-Alm M, Zhang Q, Aranäs C, Blid Sköldheden S, Edvardsson CE, Jerlhag E. Decoding the influence of central LEAP2 on food intake and its effect on accumbal dopamine release. Prog Neurobiol 2024; 236:102615. [PMID: 38641041 DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2024.102615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Revised: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/21/2024]
Abstract
The gut-brain peptide ghrelin and its receptor are established as a regulator of hunger and reward-processing. However, the recently recognized ghrelin receptor inverse agonist, liver-expressed antimicrobial peptide 2 (LEAP2), is less characterized. The present study aimed to elucidate LEAP2s central effect on reward-related behaviors through feeding and its mechanism. LEAP2 was administrated centrally in mice and effectively reduced feeding and intake of palatable foods. Strikingly, LEAP2s effect on feeding was correlated to the preference of the palatable food. Further, LEAP2 reduced the rewarding memory of high preference foods, and attenuated the accumbal dopamine release associated with palatable food exposure and eating. Interestingly, LEAP2 was widely expressed in the brain, and particularly in reward-related brain areas such as the laterodorsal tegmental area (LDTg). This expression was markedly altered when allowed free access to palatable foods. Accordingly, infusion of LEAP2 into LDTg was sufficient to transiently reduce acute palatable food intake. Taken together, the present results show that central LEAP2 has a profound effect on dopaminergic reward signaling associated with food and affects several aspects of feeding. The present study highlights LEAP2s effect on reward, which may have applications for obesity and other reward-related psychiatric and neurological disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maximilian Tufvesson-Alm
- Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Department of Pharmacology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Medicinaregatan 13A, Gothenburg SE-405 30, Sweden
| | - Qian Zhang
- Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Department of Pharmacology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Medicinaregatan 13A, Gothenburg SE-405 30, Sweden
| | - Cajsa Aranäs
- Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Department of Pharmacology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Medicinaregatan 13A, Gothenburg SE-405 30, Sweden
| | - Sebastian Blid Sköldheden
- Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Department of Pharmacology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Medicinaregatan 13A, Gothenburg SE-405 30, Sweden
| | - Christian E Edvardsson
- Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Department of Pharmacology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Medicinaregatan 13A, Gothenburg SE-405 30, Sweden
| | - Elisabet Jerlhag
- Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Department of Pharmacology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Medicinaregatan 13A, Gothenburg SE-405 30, Sweden.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Söderpalm B, Ericson M. Alcohol and the dopamine system. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF NEUROBIOLOGY 2024; 175:21-73. [PMID: 38555117 DOI: 10.1016/bs.irn.2024.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/02/2024]
Abstract
The mesolimbic dopamine pathway plays a major role in drug reinforcement and is likely involved also in the development of drug addiction. Ethanol, like most addictive drugs, acutely activates the mesolimbic dopamine system and releases dopamine, and ethanol-associated stimuli also appear to trigger dopamine release. In addition, chronic exposure to ethanol reduces the baseline function of the mesolimbic dopamine system. The molecular mechanisms underlying ethanol´s interaction with this system remain, however, to be unveiled. Here research on the actions of ethanol in the mesolimbic dopamine system, focusing on the involvement of cystein-loop ligand-gated ion channels, opiate receptors, gastric peptides and acetaldehyde is briefly reviewed. In summary, a great complexity as regards ethanol´s mechanism(s) of action along the mesolimbic dopamine system has been revealed. Consequently, several new targets and possibilities for pharmacotherapies for alcohol use disorder have emerged.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bo Söderpalm
- Addiction Biology Unit, Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden; Department of Addiction and Dependency, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden.
| | - Mia Ericson
- Addiction Biology Unit, Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Wilbrecht L, Lin WC, Callahan K, Bateson M, Myers K, Ross R. Experimental biology can inform our understanding of food insecurity. J Exp Biol 2024; 227:jeb246215. [PMID: 38449329 PMCID: PMC10949070 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.246215] [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] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
Food insecurity is a major public health issue. Millions of households worldwide have intermittent and unpredictable access to food and this experience is associated with greater risk for a host of negative health outcomes. While food insecurity is a contemporary concern, we can understand its effects better if we acknowledge that there are ancient biological programs that evolved to respond to the experience of food scarcity and uncertainty, and they may be particularly sensitive to food insecurity during development. Support for this conjecture comes from common findings in several recent animal studies that have modeled insecurity by manipulating predictability of food access in various ways. Using different experimental paradigms in different species, these studies have shown that experience of insecure access to food can lead to changes in weight, motivation and cognition. Some of these studies account for changes in weight through changes in metabolism, while others observe increases in feeding and motivation to work for food. It has been proposed that weight gain is an adaptive response to the experience of food insecurity as 'insurance' in an uncertain future, while changes in motivation and cognition may reflect strategic adjustments in foraging behavior. Animal studies also offer the opportunity to make in-depth controlled studies of mechanisms and behavior. So far, there is evidence that the experience of food insecurity can impact metabolic efficiency, reproductive capacity and dopamine neuron synapses. Further work on behavior, the central and peripheral nervous system, the gut and liver, along with variation in age of exposure, will be needed to better understand the full body impacts of food insecurity at different stages of development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Linda Wilbrecht
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720-1650, USA
- Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Wan Chen Lin
- Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA
| | - Kathryn Callahan
- Psychiatric Research Institute of Montefiore and Einstein, Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, NY 10461, USA
| | - Melissa Bateson
- Bioscience Institute, University of Newcastle, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, UK
| | - Kevin Myers
- Department of Psychology and Programs in Animal Behavior and Neuroscience, Bucknell University, Lewisburg, PA 17837, USA
| | - Rachel Ross
- Psychiatric Research Institute of Montefiore and Einstein, Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York, NY 10461, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York, NY 10467, USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Kok CY, Ghossein G, Igoor S, Rao R, Titus T, Tsurusaki S, Chong JJ, Kizana E. Ghrelin mediated cardioprotection using in vitro models of oxidative stress. Gene Ther 2024; 31:165-174. [PMID: 38177343 PMCID: PMC10940144 DOI: 10.1038/s41434-023-00435-9] [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: 09/23/2022] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
Ghrelin is commonly known as the 'hunger hormone' due to its role in stimulating food intake in humans. However, the roles of ghrelin extend beyond regulating hunger. Our aim was to investigate the ability of ghrelin to protect against hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), a reactive oxygen species commonly associated with cardiac injury. An in vitro model of oxidative stress was developed using H2O2 injured H9c2 cells. Despite lentiviral ghrelin overexpression, H9c2 cell viability and mitochondrial function were not protected following H2O2 injury. We found that H9c2 cells lack expression of the preproghrelin cleavage enzyme prohormone convertase 1 (encoded by PCSK1), required to convert ghrelin to its active form. In contrast, we found that primary rat cardiomyocytes do express PCSK1 and were protected from H2O2 injury by lentiviral ghrelin overexpression. In conclusion, we have shown that ghrelin expression can protect primary rat cardiomyocytes against H2O2, though this effect was not observed in other cell types tested.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cindy Y Kok
- Centre for Heart Research, The Westmead Institute for Medical Research, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Westmead Clinical School, the Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - George Ghossein
- Centre for Heart Research, The Westmead Institute for Medical Research, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Sindhu Igoor
- Centre for Heart Research, The Westmead Institute for Medical Research, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Renuka Rao
- Centre for Heart Research, The Westmead Institute for Medical Research, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Tracy Titus
- Centre for Heart Research, The Westmead Institute for Medical Research, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Shinya Tsurusaki
- Centre for Heart Research, The Westmead Institute for Medical Research, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - James Jh Chong
- Centre for Heart Research, The Westmead Institute for Medical Research, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Westmead Clinical School, the Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Department of Cardiology, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, NSW, Australia
| | - Eddy Kizana
- Centre for Heart Research, The Westmead Institute for Medical Research, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
- Westmead Clinical School, the Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
- Department of Cardiology, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, NSW, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Lai TT, Tsai YH, Liou CW, Fan CH, Hou YT, Yao TH, Chuang HL, Wu WL. The gut microbiota modulate locomotion via vagus-dependent glucagon-like peptide-1 signaling. NPJ Biofilms Microbiomes 2024; 10:2. [PMID: 38228675 DOI: 10.1038/s41522-024-00477-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Locomotor activity is an innate behavior that can be triggered by gut-motivated conditions, such as appetite and metabolic condition. Various nutrient-sensing receptors distributed in the vagal terminal in the gut are crucial for signal transduction from the gut to the brain. The levels of gut hormones are closely associated with the colonization status of the gut microbiota, suggesting a complicated interaction among gut bacteria, gut hormones, and the brain. However, the detailed mechanism underlying gut microbiota-mediated endocrine signaling in the modulation of locomotion is still unclear. Herein, we show that broad-spectrum antibiotic cocktail (ABX)-treated mice displayed hypolocomotion and elevated levels of the gut hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). Blockade of the GLP-1 receptor and subdiaphragmatic vagal transmission rescued the deficient locomotor phenotype in ABX-treated mice. Activation of the GLP-1 receptor and vagal projecting brain regions led to hypolocomotion. Finally, selective antibiotic treatment dramatically increased serum GLP-1 levels and decreased locomotion. Colonizing Lactobacillus reuteri and Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron in microbiota-deficient mice suppressed GLP-1 levels and restored the hypolocomotor phenotype. Our findings identify a mechanism by which specific gut microbes mediate host motor behavior via the enteroendocrine and vagal-dependent neural pathways.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tzu-Ting Lai
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, 1 University Rd., Tainan, 70101, Taiwan
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, 1 University Rd., Tainan, 70101, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Hsuan Tsai
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, 1 University Rd., Tainan, 70101, Taiwan
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, 1 University Rd., Tainan, 70101, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Wei Liou
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, 1 University Rd., Tainan, 70101, Taiwan
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, 1 University Rd., Tainan, 70101, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Hsiang Fan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, 1 University Rd., Tainan, 70101, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Tian Hou
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, 1 University Rd., Tainan, 70101, Taiwan
| | - Tzu-Hsuan Yao
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, 1 University Rd., Tainan, 70101, Taiwan
| | - Hsiao-Li Chuang
- National Laboratory Animal Center, National Applied Research Laboratories, Taipei, 115202, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Li Wu
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, 1 University Rd., Tainan, 70101, Taiwan.
- Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, 1 University Rd., Tainan, 70101, Taiwan.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Pierce-Messick ZJ, Brink AK, Anna Vo T, Corbit LH. Ghrelin receptor antagonism and satiety attenuate Pavlovian-instrumental transfer. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2024; 207:107864. [PMID: 38000462 DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2023.107864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Revised: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023]
Abstract
Animals rely on learned cues to guide their behaviour for rewards such as food. The Pavlovian-instrumental transfer (PIT) task can be used to investigate the influence of Pavlovian stimuli on instrumental responding. Ghrelin, an orexigenic peptide, and its receptor, growth hormone secretagogue receptor 1A (GHS-R1A), has received growing interest for its role in reward-motivated learning and behaviours. A significant population of GHS-R1A have been identified within the ventral tegmental area (VTA), a critical node in the mesolimbic reward circuit that is necessary for the expression of PIT. As ghrelin has been found to increase dopaminergic activity in the VTA, we predicted that GHS-R1A antagonism with JMV-2959 would attenuate PIT. Further, given the relationship between hunger levels and changes in ghrelin signalling, we sought to compare the effects GHS-R1A antagonism with those of satiety, hypothesizing parallel effects, with each attenuating PIT. Rats received daily sessions of Pavlovian and then instrumental training over 3 weeks. Across three experiments, we examined the effects of a shift to satiety, or treatment with the GHS-R1A antagonist JMV-2959, either peripherally or directly into the VTA. We found that presentations of a stimulus paired with food reward enhanced responding for food across all conditions, thus demonstrating the expected PIT effect. Further, GHS-R1A antagonism, both peripherally and within the VTA, as well as satiety significantly reduced the magnitude of the PIT effect compared to control conditions. These results clarify our understanding of ghrelin signalling in PIT and begin to elucidate the role of feeding-related peptides in the modulation of reward-related responding.
Collapse
|
9
|
So WL, Hu J, Jeffs L, Dempsey H, Lockie SH, Zigman JM, Stark R, Reichenbach A, Andrews ZB. Ghrelin signalling in AgRP neurons links metabolic state to the sensory regulation of AgRP neural activity. Mol Metab 2023; 78:101826. [PMID: 37898450 PMCID: PMC10643323 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmet.2023.101826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Revised: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/30/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The sensory detection of food and food cues suppresses Agouti related peptide (AgRP) neuronal activity prior to consumption with greatest suppression occurring in response to highly caloric food or interoceptive energy need. However, the interoceptive mechanisms priming an appropriate AgRP neural response to external sensory information of food availability remain unexplored. Since hunger increases plasma ghrelin, we hypothesized that ghrelin receptor (GHSR) signalling on AgRP neurons is a key interoceptive mechanism integrating energy need with external sensory cues predicting caloric availability. METHODS We used in vivo photometry to measure the effects of ghrelin administration or fasting on AgRP neural activity with GCaMP6s and dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens with GRAB-DA in mice lacking ghrelin receptors in AgRP neurons. RESULTS The deletion of GHSR on AgRP neurons prevented ghrelin-induced food intake, motivation and AgRP activity. The presentation of food (peanut butter pellet) or a wooden dowel suppressed AgRP activity in fasted WT but not mice lacking GHSRs in AgRP neurons. Similarly, peanut butter and a wooden dowel increased dopamine release in the nucleus accumbens after ip ghrelin injection in WT but not mice lacking GHSRs in AgRP neurons. No difference in dopamine release was observed in fasted mice. Finally, ip ghrelin administration did not directly increase dopamine neural activity in the ventral tegmental area. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that AgRP GHSRs integrate an interoceptive state of energy need with external sensory information to produce an optimal change in AgRP neural activity. Thus, ghrelin signalling on AgRP neurons is more than just a feedback signal to increase AgRP activity during hunger.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wang Lok So
- Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Physiology, Monash University, Clayton 3800, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jiachen Hu
- Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Physiology, Monash University, Clayton 3800, Victoria, Australia
| | - Lotus Jeffs
- Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Physiology, Monash University, Clayton 3800, Victoria, Australia
| | - Harry Dempsey
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Mental Health Division, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Sarah H Lockie
- Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Physiology, Monash University, Clayton 3800, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jeffrey M Zigman
- Center for Hypothalamic Research, Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA; Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA; Department of Psychiatry, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Romana Stark
- Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Physiology, Monash University, Clayton 3800, Victoria, Australia
| | - Alex Reichenbach
- Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Physiology, Monash University, Clayton 3800, Victoria, Australia
| | - Zane B Andrews
- Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Physiology, Monash University, Clayton 3800, Victoria, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Willmore L, Minerva AR, Engelhard B, Murugan M, McMannon B, Oak N, Thiberge SY, Peña CJ, Witten IB. Overlapping representations of food and social stimuli in mouse VTA dopamine neurons. Neuron 2023; 111:3541-3553.e8. [PMID: 37657441 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2023.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/03/2023]
Abstract
Dopamine neurons of the ventral tegmental area (VTADA) respond to food and social stimuli and contribute to both forms of motivation. However, it is unclear whether the same or different VTADA neurons encode these different stimuli. To address this question, we performed two-photon calcium imaging in mice presented with food and conspecifics and found statistically significant overlap in the populations responsive to both stimuli. Both hunger and opposite-sex social experience further increased the proportion of neurons that respond to both stimuli, implying that increasing motivation for one stimulus increases overlap. In addition, single-nucleus RNA sequencing revealed significant co-expression of feeding- and social-hormone-related genes in individual VTADA neurons. Taken together, our functional and transcriptional data suggest overlapping VTADA populations underlie food and social motivation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lindsay Willmore
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Adelaide R Minerva
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Ben Engelhard
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA; Faculty of Medicine, Technion, Haifa 3525433, Israel.
| | - Malavika Murugan
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Brenna McMannon
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Nirja Oak
- Faculty of Medicine, Technion, Haifa 3525433, Israel
| | - Stephan Y Thiberge
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Catherine J Peña
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA.
| | - Ilana B Witten
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Ayman J, Palotai M, Dochnal R, Bagosi Z. Ghrelin Amplifies the Nicotine-Induced Release of Dopamine in the Bed Nucleus of Stria Terminalis (BNST). Biomedicines 2023; 11:2456. [PMID: 37760897 PMCID: PMC10525377 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11092456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 09/02/2023] [Accepted: 09/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Ghrelin is an orexigenic neuropeptide that is known for stimulating the release of growth hormone (GH) and appetite. In addition, ghrelin has been implicated in addiction to drugs such as nicotine. Nicotine is the principal psychoactive component in tobacco and is responsible for the reward sensation produced by smoking. In our previous in vitro superfusion studies, it was demonstrated that ghrelin and nicotine stimulate equally the dopamine release in the rat amygdala, and ghrelin amplifies the nicotine-induced dopamine release in the rat striatum. However, less attention was paid to the actions of ghrelin and nicotine in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST). Therefore, in the present study, nicotine and ghrelin were superfused to the BNST of male Wistar rats, and the dopamine release from the BNST was measured in vitro. In order to determine which receptors mediate these effects, mecamylamine, a non-selective nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAchR) antagonist, and GHRP-6, a selective growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHS-R1A) antagonist, were also superfused to the rat BNST. Nicotine significantly increased the release of dopamine, and this effect was significantly inhibited by mecamylamine. Ghrelin increased dopamine release even more significantly than nicotine did, and this effect was significantly inhibited by GHRP-6. Moreover, when administered together, ghrelin significantly amplified the nicotine-induced release of dopamine in the BNST, and this additive effect was reversed partly by mecamylamine and partly by GHRP-6. Therefore, the present study provides a new base of evidence for the involvement of ghrelin in dopamine signaling implicated in nicotine addiction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jázmin Ayman
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Albert Szent-Györgyi School of Medicine, University of Szeged, H-6701 Szeged, Hungary;
| | - Miklós Palotai
- Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA;
| | - Roberta Dochnal
- Department of Pediatrics and Pediatric Health Center, Albert Szent-Györgyi School of Medicine, University of Szeged, H-6701 Szeged, Hungary;
| | - Zsolt Bagosi
- Department of Pathophysiology, Albert Szent-Györgyi School of Medicine, University of Szeged, H-6725 Szeged, Hungary
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Geisler CE, Hayes MR. Metabolic hormone action in the VTA: Reward-directed behavior and mechanistic insights. Physiol Behav 2023; 268:114236. [PMID: 37178855 PMCID: PMC10330780 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2023.114236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Revised: 04/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Dysfunctional signaling in midbrain reward circuits perpetuates diseases characterized by compulsive overconsumption of rewarding substances such as substance abuse, binge eating disorder, and obesity. Ventral tegmental area (VTA) dopaminergic activity serves as an index for how rewarding stimuli are perceived and triggers behaviors necessary to obtain future rewards. The evolutionary linking of reward with seeking and consuming palatable foods ensured an organism's survival, and hormone systems that regulate appetite concomitantly developed to regulate motivated behaviors. Today, these same mechanisms serve to regulate reward-directed behavior around food, drugs, alcohol, and social interactions. Understanding how hormonal regulation of VTA dopaminergic output alters motivated behaviors is essential to leveraging therapeutics that target these hormone systems to treat addiction and disordered eating. This review will outline our current understanding of the mechanisms underlying VTA action of the metabolic hormones ghrelin, glucagon-like peptide-1, amylin, leptin, and insulin to regulate behavior around food and drugs of abuse, highlighting commonalities and differences in how these five hormones ultimately modulate VTA dopamine signaling.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Caroline E Geisler
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| | - Matthew R Hayes
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Tezenas du Montcel C, Cao J, Mattioni J, Hamelin H, Lebrun N, Ramoz N, Gorwood P, Tolle V, Viltart O. Chronic food restriction in mice and increased systemic ghrelin induce preference for running wheel activity. Psychoneuroendocrinology 2023; 155:106311. [PMID: 37295225 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyneuen.2023.106311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES In eating disorders, particularly anorexia nervosa (AN), patients exhibit intense physical activity which is inappropriate regarding food restriction and chronic undernutrition, and exacerbates weight loss and energy deprivation. Rodent models of food restriction exhibit increased running wheel activity in the food anticipation period, also known as Food Anticipatory Activity (FAA). FAA probably has various physiological and/or neurobiological origins. Plasma concentrations of the orexigenic hormone ghrelin are, for example, increased during FAA. We hypothesize that the drive for physical activity in chronic food restriction is triggered by metabolic factors but also relies on motivational aspects that we aim to decipher in this study. METHODS Young female C57Bl6/J mice were exposed to a paradigm based on a progressive 50% quantitative food restriction alone (FR) or associated with running wheel activity (Food Restriction Wheel: FRW) in their home-cage during 15 days. We measured preference for running wheel in a three-chamber apparatus in which animals could choose to explore either a known running wheel or a novel object. Testing took place either during resting or during FAA. We calculated the time spent in each compartment and the activity in running wheels. After progressive refeeding over 10 days, mice were tested again when refed. Plasma levels of both ghrelin isoforms were measured with selective immunoassays. RESULTS When tested during FAA period, food restricted mice displayed increased preference for the running wheel compared to ad libitum fed controls. Both FR and FRW mice exhibited increased running time and distance in the wheel and running distance was correlated with ghrelin levels. Similar preference and behavior were found when testing took place during the resting period. Animals housed without an active wheel also exhibited active running. Progressive refeeding resulted in body weight restoration, a decrease in FAA and completely abolished preference for the running wheel. Refed animals displayed similar behavior as ad libitum fed controls. CONCLUSIONS These data provide evidence that food restriction-induced physical activity is closely correlated with metabolic adaptations to nutritional status implicating ghrelin in the quantity of physical activity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chloé Tezenas du Montcel
- Université Paris Cité, Institute of Psychiatry and Neuroscience of Paris (IPNP), INSERM UMR-S 1266, F-75014 Paris, France; GHU Paris Psychiatrie et Neurosciences, CMME, Hôpital Sainte Anne, F-75014 Paris, France
| | - Jingxian Cao
- Université Paris Cité, Institute of Psychiatry and Neuroscience of Paris (IPNP), INSERM UMR-S 1266, F-75014 Paris, France
| | - Julia Mattioni
- Université Paris Cité, Institute of Psychiatry and Neuroscience of Paris (IPNP), INSERM UMR-S 1266, F-75014 Paris, France
| | - Héloïse Hamelin
- Université Paris Cité, Institute of Psychiatry and Neuroscience of Paris (IPNP), INSERM UMR-S 1266, F-75014 Paris, France
| | - Nicolas Lebrun
- Université Paris Cité, Institute of Psychiatry and Neuroscience of Paris (IPNP), INSERM UMR-S 1266, F-75014 Paris, France
| | - Nicolas Ramoz
- Université Paris Cité, Institute of Psychiatry and Neuroscience of Paris (IPNP), INSERM UMR-S 1266, F-75014 Paris, France; GHU Paris Psychiatrie et Neurosciences, CMME, Hôpital Sainte Anne, F-75014 Paris, France
| | - Philip Gorwood
- Université Paris Cité, Institute of Psychiatry and Neuroscience of Paris (IPNP), INSERM UMR-S 1266, F-75014 Paris, France; GHU Paris Psychiatrie et Neurosciences, CMME, Hôpital Sainte Anne, F-75014 Paris, France
| | - Virginie Tolle
- Université Paris Cité, Institute of Psychiatry and Neuroscience of Paris (IPNP), INSERM UMR-S 1266, F-75014 Paris, France
| | - Odile Viltart
- Université Paris Cité, Institute of Psychiatry and Neuroscience of Paris (IPNP), INSERM UMR-S 1266, F-75014 Paris, France; Université de Lille, SCALab laboratory, UMR CNRS 9193, PsySEF Faculty, F-59650 Villeneuve d'Ascq, France.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Jin R, Sun S, Hu Y, Zhang H, Sun X. Neuropeptides Modulate Feeding via the Dopamine Reward Pathway. Neurochem Res 2023:10.1007/s11064-023-03954-4. [PMID: 37233918 DOI: 10.1007/s11064-023-03954-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2023] [Revised: 05/13/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Dopamine (DA) is a catecholamine neurotransmitter widely distributed in the central nervous system. It participates in various physiological functions, such as feeding, anxiety, fear, sleeping and arousal. The regulation of feeding is exceptionally complex, involving energy homeostasis and reward motivation. The reward system comprises the ventral tegmental area (VTA), nucleus accumbens (NAc), hypothalamus, and limbic system. This paper illustrates the detailed mechanisms of eight typical orexigenic and anorexic neuropeptides that regulate food intake through the reward system. According to recent literature, neuropeptides released from the hypothalamus and other brain regions regulate reward feeding predominantly through dopaminergic neurons projecting from the VTA to the NAc. In addition, their effect on the dopaminergic system is mediated by the prefrontal cortex, paraventricular thalamus, laterodorsal tegmental area, amygdala, and complex neural circuits. Research on neuropeptides involved in reward feeding can help identify more targets to treat diseases with metabolic disorders, such as obesity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ruijie Jin
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Medical College, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Shanbin Sun
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Medical College, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Yang Hu
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Medical College, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Hongfei Zhang
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Medical College, Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
| | - Xiangrong Sun
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medicine, Qingdao University, Qingdao, Shandong, China.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Willmore L, Minerva AR, Engelhard B, Murugan M, McMannon B, Oak N, Thiberge SY, Peña CJ, Witten IB. Overlapping representations of food and social stimuli in VTA dopamine neurons. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.05.17.541104. [PMID: 37293057 PMCID: PMC10245666 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.17.541104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Dopamine neurons of the ventral tegmental area (VTA DA ) respond to food and social stimuli and contribute to both forms of motivation. However, it is unclear if the same or different VTA DA neurons encode these different stimuli. To address this question, we performed 2-photon calcium imaging in mice presented with food and conspecifics, and found statistically significant overlap in the populations responsive to both stimuli. Both hunger and opposite-sex social experience further increased the proportion of neurons that respond to both stimuli, implying that modifying motivation for one stimulus affects responses to both stimuli. In addition, single-nucleus RNA sequencing revealed significant co-expression of feeding- and social-hormone related genes in individual VTA DA neurons. Taken together, our functional and transcriptional data suggest overlapping VTA DA populations underlie food and social motivation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lindsay Willmore
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton NJ 08544 USA
| | - Adelaide R. Minerva
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton NJ 08544 USA
| | - Ben Engelhard
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton NJ 08544 USA
- Department of Medicine, Technion, Haifa, 3525433, Israel
| | - Malavika Murugan
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton NJ 08544 USA
| | - Brenna McMannon
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton NJ 08544 USA
| | - Nirja Oak
- Department of Medicine, Technion, Haifa, 3525433, Israel
| | - Stephan Y. Thiberge
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton NJ 08544 USA
| | - Catherine J. Peña
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton NJ 08544 USA
| | - Ilana B. Witten
- Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton University, Princeton NJ 08544 USA
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Hirono M, Nakata M. Ghrelin signaling in the cerebellar cortex enhances GABAergic transmission onto Purkinje cells. Sci Rep 2023; 13:2150. [PMID: 36750743 PMCID: PMC9905081 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-29226-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Ghrelin, an orexigenic peptide ligand for growth hormone secretagogue receptor 1a (GHS-R1a), occurs not only in the stomach but also in the brain, and modulates neuronal activity and synaptic efficacy. Previous studies showed that GHS-R1a exists in the cerebellum, and ghrelin facilitates spontaneous firing of Purkinje cells (PCs). However, the effects of ghrelin on cerebellar GABAergic transmission have yet to be elucidated. We found that ghrelin enhanced GABAergic transmission between molecular layer interneurons (MLIs) and PCs using electrophysiological recordings in mouse cerebellar slices. This finding was consistent with the possibility that blocking synaptic transmission enhanced the ghrelin-induced facilitation of PC firing. Ghrelin profoundly increased the frequency of spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents (IPSCs) in PCs without affecting miniature or stimulation-evoked IPSCs, whereas it significantly facilitated spontaneous firing of MLIs. This facilitation of MLI spiking disappeared during treatments with blockers of GHS-R1a, type 1 transient receptor potential canonical (TRPC1) channels and KCNQ channels. These results suggest that both activating TRPC1 channels and inhibiting KCNQ channels occur downstream the ghrelin-GHS-R1a signaling pathway probably in somatodendritic sites of MLIs. Thus, ghrelin can control PC firing directly and indirectly via its modulation of GABAergic transmission, thereby impacting activity in cerebellar circuitry.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Moritoshi Hirono
- Department of Physiology, Wakayama Medical University, 811-1 Kimiidera, Wakayama, Wakayama, 641-8509, Japan.
| | - Masanori Nakata
- Department of Physiology, Wakayama Medical University, 811-1 Kimiidera, Wakayama, Wakayama, 641-8509, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Engel JA, Pålsson E, Vallöf D, Jerlhag E. Ghrelin activates the mesolimbic dopamine system via nitric oxide associated mechanisms in the ventral tegmental area. Nitric Oxide 2023; 131:1-7. [PMID: 36513266 DOI: 10.1016/j.niox.2022.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2022] [Revised: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Besides enhanced feeding, the orexigenic peptide ghrelin activates the mesolimbic dopamine system to cause reward as measured by locomotor stimulation, dopamine release in nucleus accumbens shell (NAcS), and conditioned place preference. Although the ventral tegmental area (VTA) appears to be a central brain region for this ghrelin-reward, the underlying mechanisms within this area are unknown. The findings that the gaseous neurotransmitter nitric oxide (NO) modulate the ghrelin enhanced feeding, led us to hypothesize that ghrelin increases NO levels in the VTA, and thereby stimulates reward-related behaviors. We initially demonstrated that inhibition of NO synthesis blocked the ghrelin-induced activation of the mesolimbic dopamine system. We then established that antagonism of downstream signaling of NO in the VTA, namely sGC, prevents the ability of ghrelin to stimulate the mesolimbic dopamine system. The association of ghrelin to NO was further strengthened by in vivo electrochemical recordings showing that ghrelin enhances the NO release in the VTA. Besides a GABAB -receptor agonist, known to reduce NO and cGMP, blocks the stimulatory properties of ghrelin. The present series of experiments reveal that ablated NO signaling, through pharmacologically inhibiting the production of NO and/or cGMP, prevents the ability of ghrelin to induced reward-related behaviors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jörgen A Engel
- Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Department of Pharmacology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Erik Pålsson
- Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Department of Neurochemistry and Psychiatry, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Daniel Vallöf
- Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Department of Pharmacology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Elisabet Jerlhag
- Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Department of Pharmacology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Ralevski E, Horvath TL, Shanabrough M, Newcomb J, Pisani E, Petrakis I. Ghrelin Predicts Stimulant and Sedative Effects of Alcohol in Heavy Drinkers. Alcohol Alcohol 2023; 58:100-106. [PMID: 36382470 PMCID: PMC9830489 DOI: 10.1093/alcalc/agac058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Revised: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between ghrelin levels and the subjective effects of alcohol in heavy drinkers, and to compare them to healthy controls. METHODS Ghrelin levels were collected as part of two laboratory studies. Both groups received either IV infusion of saline or high dose of alcohol (100 mg%). In the study of heavy drinkers, ghrelin was gathered on all subjects, but data was analyzed only for participants who received placebo (N=12). Healthy controls (N=20) came from another study that collected data on family history. Ghrelin levels and measures of alcohol effects (BAES, VAS, NDS, YCS [see manuscript for details]) were collected at 4 timepoints: baseline, before infusion, during infusion and after infusion. RESULTS IV alcohol significantly reduced ghrelin levels and higher fasting ghrelin levels were associated with more intense subjective alcohol effects. There were no differences in fasting ghrelin levels or subjective effects between heavy drinkers and controls. However, while both groups showed similar decline in ghrelin levels following alcohol infusion, on the placebo day, ghrelin levels in the healthy subjects increased significantly and exponentially over time while for the heavy drinkers ghrelin levels remained flat. CONCLUSIONS Our findings support the role of ghrelin in reward mechanisms for alcohol. Contrary to others, we found no differences in fasting ghrelin levels or subjective experiences of alcohol between heavy drinkers and healthy controls. However, the group differences on the IV placebo day may be a possible indication of ghrelin abnormalities in heavy drinkers.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Ralevski
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
- Department of Veteran Affairs, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA
- Mental Illness Research and Clinical Center, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Tamas L Horvath
- Program of Integrative Cell Signaling and Neurobiology of Metabolism, Section of Comparative Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven 06520, CT, USA
- Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven 06520, CT, USA
| | - Marya Shanabrough
- Program of Integrative Cell Signaling and Neurobiology of Metabolism, Section of Comparative Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven 06520, CT, USA
| | - Jenelle Newcomb
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
- Department of Veteran Affairs, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA
- Mental Illness Research and Clinical Center, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Emily Pisani
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
- Department of Veteran Affairs, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA
- Mental Illness Research and Clinical Center, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA
| | - Ismene Petrakis
- Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
- Department of Veteran Affairs, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA
- Mental Illness Research and Clinical Center, VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT, USA
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Jerlhag E. Animal studies reveal that the ghrelin pathway regulates alcohol-mediated responses. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1050973. [PMID: 36970276 PMCID: PMC10030715 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1050973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is often described as repeated phases of binge drinking, compulsive alcohol-taking, craving for alcohol during withdrawal, and drinking with an aim to a reduce the negative consequences. Although multifaceted, alcohol-induced reward is one aspect influencing the former three of these. The neurobiological mechanisms regulating AUD processes are complex and one of these systems is the gut-brain peptide ghrelin. The vast physiological properties of ghrelin are mediated via growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR, ghrelin receptor). Ghrelin is well known for its ability to control feeding, hunger, and metabolism. Moreover, ghrelin signaling appears central for alcohol-mediated responses; findings reviewed herein. In male rodents GHSR antagonism reduces alcohol consumption, prevents relapse drinking, and attenuates the motivation to consume alcohol. On the other hand, ghrelin increases the consumption of alcohol. This ghrelin-alcohol interaction is also verified to some extent in humans with high alcohol consumption. In addition, either pharmacological or genetic suppression of GHSR decreases several alcohol-related effects (behavioral or neurochemical). Indeed, this suppression blocks the alcohol-induced hyperlocomotion and dopamine release in nucleus accumbens as well as ablates the alcohol reward in the conditioned place preference model. Although not fully elucidated, this interaction appears to involve areas central for reward, such as the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and brain nodes targeted by VTA projections. As reviewed briefly, the ghrelin pathway does not only modulate alcohol-mediated effects, it regulates reward-related behaviors induced by addictive drugs. Although personality traits like impulsivity and risk-taking behaviors are common in patients with AUD, the role of the ghrelin pathway thereof is unknown and remains to be studied. In summary, the ghrelin pathway regulates addiction processes like AUD and therefore the possibility that GHSR antagonism reduces alcohol or drug-taking should be explored in randomized clinical trials.
Collapse
|
20
|
Hanis F, Chung ELT, Kamalludin MH, Idrus Z. Effect of feed modification on the behavior, blood profile, and telomere in horses exhibiting abnormal oral behaviors. J Vet Behav 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jveb.2022.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
|
21
|
Reich N, Hölscher C. Beyond Appetite: Acylated Ghrelin As A Learning, Memory and Fear Behavior-modulating Hormone. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2022; 143:104952. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2021] [Revised: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 11/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
|
22
|
O'Connor RM, Kenny PJ. Utility of 'substance use disorder' as a heuristic for understanding overeating and obesity. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2022; 118:110580. [PMID: 35636576 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2022.110580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Rates of obesity and obesity-associated diseases have increased dramatically in countries with developed economies. Substance use disorders (SUDs) are characterized by the persistent use of the substance despite negative consequences. It has been hypothesized that overconsumption of palatable energy dense food can elicit SUD-like maladaptive behaviors that contribute to persistent caloric intake beyond homeostatic need even in the face of negative consequences. Palatable food and drugs of abuse act on many of the same motivation-related circuits in the brain, and can induce, at least superficially, similar molecular, cellular, and physiological adaptations on these circuits. As such, applying knowledge about the neurobiological mechanisms of SUDs may serve as useful heuristic to better understand the persistent overconsumption of palatable food that contributes to obesity. However, many important differences exist between the actions of drugs of abuse and palatable food in the brain. This warrants caution when attributing weight gain and obesity to the manifestation of a putative SUD-related behavioral disorder. Here, we describe similarities and differences between compulsive drug use in SUDs and overconsumption in obesity and consider the merit of the concept of "food addiction".
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Richard M O'Connor
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, United States of America
| | - Paul J Kenny
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, United States of America.
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Schmitt EE, McNair BD, Polson SM, Cook RF, Bruns DR. Mechanisms of Exercise-Induced Cardiac Remodeling Differ Between Young and Aged Hearts. Exerc Sport Sci Rev 2022; 50:137-144. [PMID: 35522248 PMCID: PMC9203913 DOI: 10.1249/jes.0000000000000290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Aging induces physiological and molecular changes in the heart that increase the risk for heart disease. Several of these changes are targetable by exercise. We hypothesize that the mechanisms by which exercise improves cardiac function in the aged heart differ from those in the young exercised heart.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Benjamin D McNair
- Division of Kinesiology & Health, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY
| | - Sydney M Polson
- Division of Kinesiology & Health, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY
| | - Ross F Cook
- Division of Kinesiology & Health, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY
| | | |
Collapse
|
24
|
Involvement of the ghrelin system in the maintenance and reinstatement of cocaine-motivated behaviors: a role of adrenergic action at peripheral β1 receptors. Neuropsychopharmacology 2022; 47:1449-1460. [PMID: 34923576 PMCID: PMC9206024 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-021-01249-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2021] [Revised: 11/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Cocaine addiction is a significant medical and public concern. Despite decades of research effort, development of pharmacotherapy for cocaine use disorder remains largely unsuccessful. This may be partially due to insufficient understanding of the complex biological mechanisms involved in the pathophysiology of this disorder. In the present study, we show that: (1) elevation of ghrelin by cocaine plays a critical role in maintenance of cocaine self-administration and cocaine-seeking motivated by cocaine-conditioned stimuli; (2) acquisition of cocaine-taking behavior is associated with the acquisition of stimulatory effects of cocaine by cocaine-conditioned stimuli on ghrelin secretion, and with an upregulation of ghrelin receptor mRNA levels in the ventral tegmental area (VTA); (3) blockade of ghrelin signaling by pretreatment with JMV2959, a selective ghrelin receptor antagonist, dose-dependently inhibits reinstatement of cocaine-seeking triggered by either cocaine or yohimbine in behaviorally extinguished animals with a history of cocaine self-administration; (4) JMV2959 pretreatment also inhibits brain stimulation reward (BSR) and cocaine-potentiated BSR maintained by optogenetic stimulation of VTA dopamine neurons in DAT-Cre mice; (5) blockade of peripheral adrenergic β1 receptors by atenolol potently attenuates the elevation in circulating ghrelin induced by cocaine and inhibits cocaine self-administration and cocaine reinstatement triggered by cocaine. These findings demonstrate that the endogenous ghrelin system plays an important role in cocaine-related addictive behaviors and suggest that manipulating and targeting this system may be viable for mitigating cocaine use disorder.
Collapse
|
25
|
Wellman M, Budin R, Woodside B, Abizaid A. Energetic demands of lactation produce an increase in the expression of growth hormone secretagogue receptor in the hypothalamus and ventral tegmental area of the rat despite a reduction in circulating ghrelin. J Neuroendocrinol 2022; 34:e13126. [PMID: 35365872 DOI: 10.1111/jne.13126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Revised: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Lactating rats show changes in the secretion of hormones and brain signals that promote hyperphagia and facilitate the production of milk. Little is known, however, about the role of ghrelin in the mechanisms sustaining lactational hyperphagia. Here, we used Wistar female rats that underwent surgery to sever the galactophores to prevent milk delivery (GC rats) and decrease the energetic drain of milk delivery. We compared plasma acyl-ghrelin concentrations and growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR) mRNA expression in different brain regions of GC rats with those of sham operated lactating and nonlactating rats. Additional lactating and nonlactating rats were implanted with cannulae aimed at the lateral ventricles and were used to compare feeding responses to central ghrelin or GHSR antagonist infusions to those of nonlactating rats receiving similar infusions on day 14-16 postpartum (pp). Results show lower plasma acyl-ghrelin concentrations on day 15 pp sham operated lactating rats compared to GC or nonlactating rats. These changes occur in association with increased GHSR mRNA expression in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus (ARC) and ventral tegmental area (VTA) of sham operated lactating rats. Despite lactational hyperphagia, infusions of ghrelin (0.25 or 1 μg) resulted in similar increases in food intake in lactating and nonlactating rats. In addition, infusions of the GHSR antagonist JMV3002 (4 μg in 1 μl of vehicle) produced greater suppression of food intake in lactating rats than in nonlactating rats. These data suggest that, despite lower plasma ghrelin, the energetic drain of lactation increases sensitivity to the orexigenic effects of ghrelin in brain regions important for food intake and energy balance, and these events are associated with lactational hyperphagia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Martin Wellman
- Neuroscience Department, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Radek Budin
- Centre for Studies in Behavioural Neurobiology, Psychology Department, Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Barbara Woodside
- Centre for Studies in Behavioural Neurobiology, Psychology Department, Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Alfonso Abizaid
- Neuroscience Department, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Campos A, Port JD, Acosta A. Integrative Hedonic and Homeostatic Food Intake Regulation by the Central Nervous System: Insights from Neuroimaging. Brain Sci 2022; 12:431. [PMID: 35447963 PMCID: PMC9032173 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci12040431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2022] [Revised: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Food intake regulation in humans is a complex process controlled by the dynamic interaction of homeostatic and hedonic systems. Homeostatic regulation is controlled by appetitive signals from the gut, adipose tissue, and the vagus nerve, while conscious and unconscious reward processes orchestrate hedonic regulation. On the one hand, sight, smell, taste, and texture perception deliver potent food-related feedback to the central nervous system (CNS) and influence brain areas related to food reward. On the other hand, macronutrient composition stimulates the release of appetite signals from the gut, which are translated in the CNS into unconscious reward processes. This multi-level regulation process of food intake shapes and regulates human ingestive behavior. Identifying the interface between hormones, neurotransmitters, and brain areas is critical to advance our understanding of conditions like obesity and develop better therapeutical interventions. Neuroimaging studies allow us to take a glance into the central nervous system (CNS) while these processes take place. This review focuses on the available neuroimaging evidence to describe this interaction between the homeostatic and hedonic components in human food intake regulation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Campos
- Precision Medicine for Obesity Program, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA;
| | - John D. Port
- Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA;
| | - Andres Acosta
- Precision Medicine for Obesity Program, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA;
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Discovery of a functionally selective ghrelin receptor (GHSR 1a) ligand for modulating brain dopamine. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2112397119. [PMID: 35239443 PMCID: PMC8915830 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2112397119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The modulation of growth hormone secretagogue receptor-1a (GHSR1a) signaling is a promising strategy for treating brain conditions of metabolism, aging, and addiction. GHSR1a activation results in pleiotropic physiological outcomes through distinct and pharmacologically separable G protein– and β-arrestin (βarr)–dependent signaling pathways. Thus, pathway-selective modulation can enable improved pharmacotherapeutics that can promote therapeutic efficacy while mitigating side effects. Here, we describe the discovery of a brain-penetrant small molecule, N8279 (NCATS-SM8864), that biases GHSR1a conformations toward Gαq activation and reduces aberrant dopaminergic behavior in mice. N8279 represents a promising chemical scaffold to advance the development of better treatments for GHSR1a-related brain disorders involving the pathological dysregulation of dopamine. The growth hormone secretagogue receptor-1a (GHSR1a) is the cognate G protein–coupled receptor (GPCR) for the peptide hormone ghrelin. GHSR1a is a promising therapeutic target for a wide range of metabolic, age-related, and central nervous system (CNS)–based conditions. In addition, growing evidence supports that GHSR1a is a modulator of dopamine (DA) homeostasis and is neuroprotective within brain DA circuits. GHSR1a signaling originates from pharmacologically separable G protein– and β-arrestin (βarr)–dependent pathways, and consequently, GHSR1a-mediated physiological responses depend upon their distinctive signaling contributions. Thus, when treating disorders of disrupted DA homeostasis, a pharmacological strategy that modulates biased GHSR1a signaling may uncouple desired therapeutic outcomes from unwanted side effects. Here, we report the discovery of a small molecule GHSR1a agonist, N8279 (NCATS-SM8864), functionally selective for G protein signaling. Comprehensive pharmacological characterization reveals that N8279 elicits potent Gαq activity at the apo- and ghrelin-bound GHSR1a. Further biochemical analysis and molecular modeling demonstrate that N8279 signaling requires the extracellular domain of GHSR1a, especially extracellular loop 2. Collectively, these findings suggest that N8279 possesses an extended binding mode into the extracellular vestibule of the GHSR1a that preferentially favors Gαq signaling over alternative G proteins and βarr2-dependent cellular responses. Critically, N8279 is brain-penetrant in mice, exhibits CNS stability, and attenuates dysfunctional DA-mediated behaviors in both genetic and pharmacological mouse models of hyperdopaminergia. Our findings provide insight into the mechanisms governing GPCR functional selectivity and emphasize how biased ligand drug development can produce novel GHSR1a pharmacotherapeutics to treat pathological disruptions of brain DA homeostasis.
Collapse
|
28
|
Woodward ORM, Gribble FM, Reimann F, Lewis JE. Gut peptide regulation of food intake - evidence for the modulation of hedonic feeding. J Physiol 2022; 600:1053-1078. [PMID: 34152020 DOI: 10.1113/jp280581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The number of people living with obesity has tripled worldwide since 1975 with serious implications for public health, as obesity is linked to a significantly higher chance of early death from associated comorbidities (metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer). As obesity is a consequence of food intake exceeding the demands of energy expenditure, efforts are being made to better understand the homeostatic and hedonic mechanisms governing food intake. Gastrointestinal peptides are secreted from enteroendocrine cells in response to nutrient and energy intake, and modulate food intake either via afferent nerves, including the vagus nerve, or directly within the central nervous system, predominantly gaining access at circumventricular organs. Enteroendocrine hormones modulate homeostatic control centres at hypothalamic nuclei and the dorso-vagal complex. Additional roles of these peptides in modulating hedonic food intake and/or preference via the neural systems of reward are starting to be elucidated, with both peripheral and central peptide sources potentially contributing to central receptor activation. Pharmacological interventions and gastric bypass surgery for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and obesity elevate enteroendocrine hormone levels and also alter food preference. Hence, understanding of the hedonic mechanisms mediated by gut peptide action could advance development of potential therapeutic strategies for the treatment of obesity and its comorbidities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Orla R M Woodward
- Wellcome Trust - MRC Institute of Metabolic Science Metabolic Research Laboratories, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Fiona M Gribble
- Wellcome Trust - MRC Institute of Metabolic Science Metabolic Research Laboratories, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Frank Reimann
- Wellcome Trust - MRC Institute of Metabolic Science Metabolic Research Laboratories, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Jo E Lewis
- Wellcome Trust - MRC Institute of Metabolic Science Metabolic Research Laboratories, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Hanssen R, Thanarajah SE, Tittgemeyer M, Brüning JC. Obesity - A Matter of Motivation? Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 2022; 130:290-295. [PMID: 35181879 PMCID: PMC9286865 DOI: 10.1055/a-1749-4852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Excessive food intake and reduced physical activity have long been established as
primary causes of obesity. However, the underlying mechanisms causing this
unhealthy behavior characterized by heightened motivation for food but not for
physical effort are unclear. Despite the common unjustified stigmatization that
obesity is a result of laziness and lack of discipline, it is becoming
increasingly clear that high-fat diet feeding and obesity cause alterations in
brain circuits that are critical for the control of motivational behavior. In this mini-review, we provide a comprehensive overview of incentive motivation,
its neural encoding in the dopaminergic mesolimbic system as well as its
metabolic modulation with a focus on derangements of incentive motivation in
obesity. We further discuss the emerging field of metabolic interventions to
counteract motivational deficits and their potential clinical implications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ruth Hanssen
- Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research, Cologne, Germany.,Policlinic for Endocrinology, Diabetology and Preventive Medicine (PEPD), University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Sharmili E Thanarajah
- Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research, Cologne, Germany.,Department of Psychiatry, Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Marc Tittgemeyer
- Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research, Cologne, Germany.,Cluster of Excellence in Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-associated Diseases (CECAD), Cologne, Germany
| | - Jens C Brüning
- Max Planck Institute for Metabolism Research, Cologne, Germany.,Policlinic for Endocrinology, Diabetology and Preventive Medicine (PEPD), University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany.,Cluster of Excellence in Cellular Stress Responses in Aging-associated Diseases (CECAD), Cologne, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Gupta S, Mukhopadhyay S, Mitra A. Therapeutic potential of GHSR-1A antagonism in alcohol dependence, a review. Life Sci 2022; 291:120316. [PMID: 35016882 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2022.120316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2021] [Revised: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Growth hormone secretagogue receptor type 1A (GHSR-1A) is a functional receptor of orexigenic peptide ghrelin and is highly expressed in mesolimbic dopaminergic systems that regulate incentive value of artificial reward in substance abuse. Interestingly, GHSR-1A has also shown ligand-independent constitutive activity. Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is one of the growing concerns worldwide as it involves complex neuro-psycho-endocrinological interactions. Positive correlation of acylated ghrelin and alcohol-induced human brain response in the right and left ventral striatum are evident. In the last decade, the beneficial effects of ghrelin receptor (GHSR-1A) antagonism to suppress artificial reward circuitries and induce self-control for alcohol consumption have drawn significant attention from researchers. In this updated review, we summarize the available recent preclinical, clinical, and experimental data to discuss functional, molecular actions of central ghrelin-GHSR-1A signaling in different craving levels for alcohol as well as to promote "GHSR-1A antagonism" as one of the potential therapies in early abstinence.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shreyasi Gupta
- Department of Zoology, Triveni Devi Bhalotia College, Raniganj, Paschim Bardhaman 713 347, West Bengal, India
| | - Sanchari Mukhopadhyay
- Department of Psychiatry, National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Hombegowda Nagar, Bengaluru 560029, India
| | - Arkadeep Mitra
- Department of Zoology, City College, 102/1, Raja Rammohan Sarani, Kolkata 700 009, West Bengal, India.
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Sustkova-Fiserova M, Charalambous C, Khryakova A, Certilina A, Lapka M, Šlamberová R. The Role of Ghrelin/GHS-R1A Signaling in Nonalcohol Drug Addictions. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:761. [PMID: 35054944 PMCID: PMC8776007 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23020761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Revised: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Drug addiction causes constant serious health, social, and economic burden within the human society. The current drug dependence pharmacotherapies, particularly relapse prevention, remain limited, unsatisfactory, unreliable for opioids and tobacco, and even symptomatic for stimulants and cannabinoids, thus, new more effective treatment strategies are researched. The antagonism of the growth hormone secretagogue receptor type A (GHS-R1A) has been recently proposed as a novel alcohol addiction treatment strategy, and it has been intensively studied in experimental models of other addictive drugs, such as nicotine, stimulants, opioids and cannabinoids. The role of ghrelin signaling in these drugs effects has also been investigated. The present review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of preclinical and clinical studies focused on ghrelin's/GHS-R1A possible involvement in these nonalcohol addictive drugs reinforcing effects and addiction. Although the investigation is still in its early stage, majority of the existing reviewed experimental results from rodents with the addition of few human studies, that searched correlations between the genetic variations of the ghrelin signaling or the ghrelin blood content with the addictive drugs effects, have indicated the importance of the ghrelin's/GHS-R1As involvement in the nonalcohol abused drugs pro-addictive effects. Further research is necessary to elucidate the exact involved mechanisms and to verify the future potential utilization and safety of the GHS-R1A antagonism use for these drug addiction therapies, particularly for reducing the risk of relapse.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Sustkova-Fiserova
- Department of Pharmacology, Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Ruska 87, 100 00 Prague, Czech Republic; (C.C.); (A.K.); (A.C.); (M.L.)
| | - Chrysostomos Charalambous
- Department of Pharmacology, Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Ruska 87, 100 00 Prague, Czech Republic; (C.C.); (A.K.); (A.C.); (M.L.)
| | - Anna Khryakova
- Department of Pharmacology, Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Ruska 87, 100 00 Prague, Czech Republic; (C.C.); (A.K.); (A.C.); (M.L.)
| | - Alina Certilina
- Department of Pharmacology, Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Ruska 87, 100 00 Prague, Czech Republic; (C.C.); (A.K.); (A.C.); (M.L.)
| | - Marek Lapka
- Department of Pharmacology, Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Ruska 87, 100 00 Prague, Czech Republic; (C.C.); (A.K.); (A.C.); (M.L.)
| | - Romana Šlamberová
- Department of Physiology, Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Ke Karlovu 4, 120 00 Prague, Czech Republic;
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Beeler JA, Burghardt NS. The Rise and Fall of Dopamine: A Two-Stage Model of the Development and Entrenchment of Anorexia Nervosa. Front Psychiatry 2022; 12:799548. [PMID: 35087433 PMCID: PMC8787068 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.799548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Dopamine has long been implicated as a critical neural substrate mediating anorexia nervosa (AN). Despite nearly 50 years of research, the putative direction of change in dopamine function remains unclear and no consensus on the mechanistic role of dopamine in AN has been achieved. We hypothesize two stages in AN- corresponding to initial development and entrenchment- characterized by opposite changes in dopamine. First, caloric restriction, particularly when combined with exercise, triggers an escalating spiral of increasing dopamine that facilitates the behavioral plasticity necessary to establish and reinforce weight-loss behaviors. Second, chronic self-starvation reverses this escalation to reduce or impair dopamine which, in turn, confers behavioral inflexibility and entrenchment of now established AN behaviors. This pattern of enhanced, followed by impaired dopamine might be a common path to many behavioral disorders characterized by reinforcement learning and subsequent behavioral inflexibility. If correct, our hypothesis has significant clinical and research implications for AN and other disorders, such as addiction and obesity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jeff A. Beeler
- Department of Psychology, Queens College, City University of New York, Flushing, NY, United States
- Psychology Program, The Graduate Center, CUNY, New York, NY, United States
- Biology Program, The Graduate Center, City University of New York, New York, NY, United States
| | - Nesha S. Burghardt
- Psychology Program, The Graduate Center, CUNY, New York, NY, United States
- Department of Psychology, Hunter College, CUNY, New York, NY, United States
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Tufvesson-Alm M, Shevchouk OT, Jerlhag E. Insight into the role of the gut-brain axis in alcohol-related responses: Emphasis on GLP-1, amylin, and ghrelin. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:1092828. [PMID: 36699502 PMCID: PMC9868418 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.1092828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) contributes substantially to global morbidity and mortality. Given the heterogenicity of this brain disease, available pharmacological treatments only display efficacy in sub-set of individuals. The need for additional treatment options is thus substantial and is the goal of preclinical studies unraveling neurobiological mechanisms underlying AUD. Although these neurobiological processes are complex and numerous, one system gaining recent attention is the gut-brain axis. Peptides of the gut-brain axis include anorexigenic peptide like glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and amylin as well as the orexigenic peptide ghrelin. In animal models, agonists of the GLP-1 or amylin receptor and ghrelin receptor (GHSR) antagonists reduce alcohol drinking, relapse drinking, and alcohol-seeking. Moreover, these three gut-brain peptides modulate alcohol-related responses (behavioral and neurochemical) in rodents, suggesting that the alcohol reduction may involve a suppression of alcohol's rewarding properties. Brain areas participating in the ability of these gut-brain peptides to reduce alcohol-mediated behaviors/neurochemistry involve those important for reward. Human studies support these preclinical studies as polymorphisms of the genes encoding for GLP-1 receptor or the ghrelin pathway are associated with AUD. Moreover, a GLP-1 receptor agonist decreases alcohol drinking in overweight patients with AUD and an inverse GHSR agonist reduces alcohol craving. Although preclinical and clinical studies reveal an interaction between the gut-brain axis and AUD, additional studies should explore this in more detail.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maximilian Tufvesson-Alm
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Olesya T Shevchouk
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Elisabet Jerlhag
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Wang Z, Hou C, Chen L, Zhang M, Luo W. Potential roles of the gut microbiota in the manifestations of drug use disorders. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:1046804. [PMID: 36590616 PMCID: PMC9795867 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.1046804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Drug use disorders (DUDs) not only cause serious harm to users but also cause huge economic, security, and public health burdens to families and society. Recently, several studies have shown that gut microbiota (GM) can affect the central nervous system and brain functions. In this review, we focus on the potential role of the GM in the different stages of DUDs. First, the GM may induce individuals to seek novel substances. Second, the gut microbiota is involved in the decomposition and absorption of drugs. Symptoms of individuals who suffer from DUDs are also related to intestinal microorganisms. Third, the effects of the GM and its metabolites on drug relapse are mainly reflected in the reward effect and drug memory. In conclusion, recent studies have preliminarily explored the relationship between GM and DUDs. This review deepens our understanding of the mechanisms of DUDs and provides important information for the future development of clinical treatment for DUDs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhiyan Wang
- Research Center of Brain and Cognitive Neuroscience, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, China.,Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Neuroscience, Dalian, China
| | - Chengqian Hou
- Research Center of Brain and Cognitive Neuroscience, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, China.,Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Neuroscience, Dalian, China
| | - Lei Chen
- Research Center of Brain and Cognitive Neuroscience, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, China.,Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Neuroscience, Dalian, China
| | - Mingming Zhang
- Research Center of Brain and Cognitive Neuroscience, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, China.,Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Neuroscience, Dalian, China
| | - Wenbo Luo
- Research Center of Brain and Cognitive Neuroscience, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, China.,Key Laboratory of Brain and Cognitive Neuroscience, Dalian, China
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Deschaine SL, Farokhnia M, Gregory-Flores A, Zallar LJ, You ZB, Sun H, Harvey DM, Marchette RCN, Tunstall BJ, Mani BK, Moose JE, Lee MR, Gardner E, Akhlaghi F, Roberto M, Hougland JL, Zigman JM, Koob GF, Vendruscolo LF, Leggio L. A closer look at alcohol-induced changes in the ghrelin system: novel insights from preclinical and clinical data. Addict Biol 2022; 27:e13033. [PMID: 33908131 PMCID: PMC8548413 DOI: 10.1111/adb.13033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Revised: 01/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Ghrelin is a gastric-derived peptide hormone with demonstrated impact on alcohol intake and craving, but the reverse side of this bidirectional link, that is, the effects of alcohol on the ghrelin system, remains to be fully established. To further characterize this relationship, we examined (1) ghrelin levels via secondary analysis of human laboratory alcohol administration experiments with heavy-drinking participants; (2) expression of ghrelin, ghrelin receptor, and ghrelin-O-acyltransferase (GOAT) genes (GHRL, GHSR, and MBOAT4, respectively) in post-mortem brain tissue from individuals with alcohol use disorder (AUD) versus controls; (3) ghrelin levels in Ghsr knockout and wild-type rats following intraperitoneal (i.p.) alcohol administration; (4) effect of alcohol on ghrelin secretion from gastric mucosa cells ex vivo and GOAT enzymatic activity in vitro; and (5) ghrelin levels in rats following i.p. alcohol administration versus a calorically equivalent non-alcoholic sucrose solution. Acyl- and total-ghrelin levels decreased following acute alcohol administration in humans, but AUD was not associated with changes in central expression of ghrelin system genes in post-mortem tissue. In rats, alcohol decreased acyl-ghrelin, but not des-acyl-ghrelin, in both Ghsr knockout and wild-type rats. No dose-dependent effects of alcohol were observed on acyl-ghrelin secretion from gastric mucosa cells or on GOAT acylation activity. Lastly, alcohol and sucrose produced distinct effects on ghrelin in rats despite equivalent caloric value. Our findings suggest that alcohol acutely decreases peripheral ghrelin concentrations in vivo, but not in proportion to alcohol's caloric value or through direct interaction with ghrelin-secreting gastric mucosal cells, the ghrelin receptor, or the GOAT enzyme.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sara L. Deschaine
- Clinical Psychoneuroendocrinology and Neuropsychopharmacology Section, Translational Addiction Medicine Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse and National, Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Mehdi Farokhnia
- Clinical Psychoneuroendocrinology and Neuropsychopharmacology Section, Translational Addiction Medicine Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse and National, Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA,Center on Compulsive Behaviors, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA,Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Adriana Gregory-Flores
- Clinical Psychoneuroendocrinology and Neuropsychopharmacology Section, Translational Addiction Medicine Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse and National, Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA,Neurobiology of Addiction Section, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Lia J. Zallar
- Clinical Psychoneuroendocrinology and Neuropsychopharmacology Section, Translational Addiction Medicine Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse and National, Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA,Neurobiology of Addiction Section, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Zhi-Bing You
- Neuropsychopharmacology Section, Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Hui Sun
- Clinical Core Laboratory, Office of the Clinical Director, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Deon M. Harvey
- Office of the Scientific Director, National Institute on Drug Abuse, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Renata C. N. Marchette
- Center on Compulsive Behaviors, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA,Neurobiology of Addiction Section, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Brendan J. Tunstall
- Neurobiology of Addiction Section, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Bharath K. Mani
- Center for Hypothalamic Research, Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - Jacob E. Moose
- Syracuse Biomaterials Institute, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York, USA,Department of Chemistry, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York, USA
| | - Mary R. Lee
- Clinical Psychoneuroendocrinology and Neuropsychopharmacology Section, Translational Addiction Medicine Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse and National, Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Eliot Gardner
- Neuropsychopharmacology Section, Molecular Targets and Medications Discovery Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Fatemeh Akhlaghi
- Clinical Pharmacokinetics Research Laboratory, Department of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Marisa Roberto
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, California, USA
| | - James L. Hougland
- Syracuse Biomaterials Institute, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York, USA,Department of Chemistry, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York, USA,BioInspired Syracuse, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York, USA
| | - Jeffrey M. Zigman
- Center for Hypothalamic Research, Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA,Division of Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA,Department of Psychiatry, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
| | - George F. Koob
- Neurobiology of Addiction Section, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Leandro F. Vendruscolo
- Neurobiology of Addiction Section, Intramural Research Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Lorenzo Leggio
- Clinical Psychoneuroendocrinology and Neuropsychopharmacology Section, Translational Addiction Medicine Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse and National, Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA,Center on Compulsive Behaviors, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA,Medication Development Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA,Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, School of Public Health, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA,Division of Addiction Medicine, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA,Department of Neuroscience, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Masule MV, Rathod S, Agrawal Y, Patil CR, Nakhate KT, Ojha S, Goyal SN, Mahajan UB. Ghrelin mediated regulation of neurosynaptic transmitters in depressive disorders. CURRENT RESEARCH IN PHARMACOLOGY AND DRUG DISCOVERY 2022; 3:100113. [PMID: 35782191 PMCID: PMC9240712 DOI: 10.1016/j.crphar.2022.100113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Revised: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Ghrelin is a peptide released by the endocrine cells of the stomach and the neurons in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus. It modulates both peripheral and central functions. Although ghrelin has emerged as a potent stimulator of growth hormone release and as an orexigenic neuropeptide, the wealth of literature suggests its involvement in the pathophysiology of affective disorders including depression. Ghrelin exhibits a dual role through the advancement and reduction of depressive behavior with nervousness in the experimental animals. It modulates depression-related signals by forming neuronal networks with various neuropeptides and classical neurotransmitter systems. The present review emphasizes the integration and signaling of ghrelin with other neuromodulatory systems concerning depressive disorders. The role of ghrelin in the regulation of neurosynaptic transmission and depressive illnesses implies that the ghrelin system modulation can yield promising antidepressive therapies. Ghrelin is the orexigenic type of neuropeptide. It binds with the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR). GHSR is ubiquitously present in the various brain regions. Ghrelin is involved in the regulation of depression-related behavior. The review focuses on the neurotransmission and signaling of ghrelin in neuropsychiatric and depressive disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Milind V. Masule
- Department of Pharmacology, R. C. Patel Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Shirpur, 425405, Maharashtra, India
| | - Sumit Rathod
- Shri Vile Parle Kelavani Mandal's Institute of Pharmacy, Dhule, 424001, Maharashtra, India
| | - Yogeeta Agrawal
- Shri Vile Parle Kelavani Mandal's Institute of Pharmacy, Dhule, 424001, Maharashtra, India
| | - Chandragouda R. Patil
- Department of Pharmacology, R. C. Patel Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Shirpur, 425405, Maharashtra, India
| | - Kartik T. Nakhate
- Shri Vile Parle Kelavani Mandal's Institute of Pharmacy, Dhule, 424001, Maharashtra, India
| | - Shreesh Ojha
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates
| | - Sameer N. Goyal
- Shri Vile Parle Kelavani Mandal's Institute of Pharmacy, Dhule, 424001, Maharashtra, India
- Corresponding author.
| | - Umesh B. Mahajan
- Department of Pharmacology, R. C. Patel Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Shirpur, 425405, Maharashtra, India
- Corresponding author.
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Deschaine SL, Leggio L. From "Hunger Hormone" to "It's Complicated": Ghrelin Beyond Feeding Control. Physiology (Bethesda) 2022; 37:5-15. [PMID: 34964687 PMCID: PMC8742734 DOI: 10.1152/physiol.00024.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Discovered as a peptide involved in releasing growth hormone, ghrelin was initially characterized as the "hunger hormone." However, emerging research indicates that ghrelin appears to play an important part in relaying information regarding nutrient availability and value and adjusting physiological and motivational processes accordingly. These functions make ghrelin an interesting therapeutic candidate for metabolic and neuropsychiatric diseases involving disrupted nutrition that can further potentiate the rewarding effect of maladaptive behaviors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sara L. Deschaine
- 1Clinical Psychoneuroendocrinology and Neuropsychopharmacology Section, Translational Addiction Medicine Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse and National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore and Bethesda, Maryland
| | - Lorenzo Leggio
- 1Clinical Psychoneuroendocrinology and Neuropsychopharmacology Section, Translational Addiction Medicine Branch, National Institute on Drug Abuse and National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore and Bethesda, Maryland,2Medication Development Program, National Institute on Drug Abuse Intramural Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Baltimore, Maryland,3Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, School of Public Health, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island,4Division of Addiction Medicine, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland,5Department of Neuroscience, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, District of Columbia
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Shevchouk OT, Tufvesson-Alm M, Jerlhag E. An Overview of Appetite-Regulatory Peptides in Addiction Processes; From Bench to Bed Side. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:774050. [PMID: 34955726 PMCID: PMC8695496 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.774050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
There is a substantial need for new pharmacological treatments of addiction, and appetite-regulatory peptides are implied as possible candidates. Appetite regulation is complex and involves anorexigenic hormones such as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and amylin, and orexigenic peptides like ghrelin and all are well-known for their effects on feeding behaviors. This overview will summarize more recent physiological aspects of these peptides, demonstrating that they modulate various aspects of addiction processes. Findings from preclinical, genetic, and experimental clinical studies exploring the association between appetite-regulatory peptides and the acute or chronic effects of addictive drugs will be introduced. Short or long-acting GLP-1 receptor agonists independently attenuate the acute rewarding properties of addictive drugs or reduce the chronic aspects of drugs. Genetic variation of the GLP-1 system is associated with alcohol use disorder. Also, the amylin pathway modulates the acute and chronic behavioral responses to addictive drugs. Ghrelin has been shown to activate reward-related behaviors. Moreover, ghrelin enhances, whereas pharmacological or genetic suppression of the ghrelin receptor attenuates the responses to various addictive drugs. Genetic studies and experimental clinical studies further support the associations between ghrelin and addiction processes. Further studies should explore the mechanisms modulating the ability of appetite-regulatory peptides to reduce addiction, and the effects of combination therapies or different diets on substance use are warranted. In summary, these studies provide evidence that appetite-regulatory peptides modulate reward and addiction processes, and deserve to be investigated as potential treatment target for addiction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Olesya T Shevchouk
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Maximilian Tufvesson-Alm
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Elisabet Jerlhag
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Colvin KJ, Killen HS, Kanter MJ, Halperin MC, Engel L, Dickinson MB, Fimmel AI, Holland JG, Currie PJ. Differential effects of intra-ventral tegmental area ghrelin and glucagon-like peptide-1 on the stimulatory action of D-amphetamine and cocaine-induced ethanol intake in male Sprague Dawley rats. Behav Brain Res 2021; 421:113726. [PMID: 34954300 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbr.2021.113726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2021] [Revised: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
In order to further elucidate the role of mesolimbic peptides in the expression of ethanol reward, the present study investigated the effects of ghrelin and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) on ethanol intake, in addition to ethanol intake stimulated by systemic d-amphetamine or cocaine treatment. While a number of studies suggest that ghrelin plays an important role in mesolimbic reward, emerging data now indicate that GLP-1 receptor mechanisms inhibit reward signaling, possibly by directly or indirectly inhibiting ghrelinergic activity within the mesolimbic system. In the present study all rats were initially habituated to a 6% ethanol solution. We then demonstrated that intraperitoneal injections of d-amphetamine and cocaine increased ethanol intake compared to the vehicle condition. In subsequent testing we examined the effects of ventral tegmental area (VTA) ghrelin or vehicle paired with a fixed dose of d-amphetamine or vehicle. In separate rats we then investigated the impact of the GLP-1 agonist exendin-4 (Ex-4), injected into the VTA, on ethanol intake alone, or when Ex-4 was co-administered with d-amphetamine or cocaine. Our results indicated that VTA ghrelin significantly increased ethanol intake, and most importantly, potentiated the effect of d-amphetamine and cocaine on ethanol consumption. Conversely, VTA Ex-4 inhibited ethanol intake and antagonized the stimulatory effect of d-amphetamine and cocaine on ethanol consumption. In a final study we further demonstrated that VTA Ex-4 treatment significantly inhibited the combined stimulatory effects of ghrelin paired with d-amphetamine or ghrelin paired with cocaine. Overall our findings are consistent with a critical role for both ghrelin and GLP-1 receptor mechanisms in mesolimbic ethanol reward circuitry. Moreover, our results further suggest that ghrelin and GLP-1 modulate the stimulatory effect of psychostimulants on ethanol intake.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kayla J Colvin
- Department of Psychology, Reed College, 3203 SE Woodstock Blvd., Portland, OR 97202, USA
| | - Henry S Killen
- Department of Psychology, Reed College, 3203 SE Woodstock Blvd., Portland, OR 97202, USA
| | - Maxwell J Kanter
- Department of Psychology, Reed College, 3203 SE Woodstock Blvd., Portland, OR 97202, USA
| | - Maximilian C Halperin
- Department of Psychology, Reed College, 3203 SE Woodstock Blvd., Portland, OR 97202, USA
| | - Liv Engel
- Department of Psychology, Reed College, 3203 SE Woodstock Blvd., Portland, OR 97202, USA
| | - Matthew B Dickinson
- Department of Psychology, Reed College, 3203 SE Woodstock Blvd., Portland, OR 97202, USA
| | - Anna I Fimmel
- Department of Psychology, Reed College, 3203 SE Woodstock Blvd., Portland, OR 97202, USA
| | - James G Holland
- Department of Psychology, Reed College, 3203 SE Woodstock Blvd., Portland, OR 97202, USA
| | - Paul J Currie
- Department of Psychology, Reed College, 3203 SE Woodstock Blvd., Portland, OR 97202, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Beeler JA, Mourra D, Zanca RM, Kalmbach A, Gellman C, Klein BY, Ravenelle R, Serrano P, Moore H, Rayport S, Mingote S, Burghardt NS. Vulnerable and Resilient Phenotypes in a Mouse Model of Anorexia Nervosa. Biol Psychiatry 2021; 90:829-842. [PMID: 32950210 PMCID: PMC7855473 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2020.06.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2019] [Revised: 06/26/2020] [Accepted: 06/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Increased physical activity is a common feature of anorexia nervosa (AN). Although high activity levels are associated with greater risk of developing AN, particularly when combined with dieting, most individuals who diet and exercise maintain a healthy body weight. It is unclear why some individuals develop AN while most do not. A rodent model of resilience and vulnerability to AN would be valuable to research. Dopamine, which is believed to play a crucial role in AN, regulates both reward and activity and may modulate vulnerability. METHODS Adolescent and young adult female C57BL/6N mice were tested in the activity-based anorexia (ABA) model, with an extended period of food restriction in adult mice. ABA was also tested in dopamine transporter knockdown mice and wild-type littermates. Mice that adapted to conditions and maintained a stable body weight were characterized as resilient. RESULTS In adults, vulnerable and resilient phenotypes emerged in both the ABA and food-restricted mice without wheels. Vulnerable mice exhibited a pronounced increase in running throughout the light cycle, which dramatically peaked prior to requiring removal from the experiment. Resilient mice exhibited an adaptive decrease in total running, appropriate food anticipatory activity, and increased consumption, thereby achieving stable body weight. Hyperdopaminergia accelerated progression of the vulnerable phenotype. CONCLUSIONS Our demonstration of distinct resilient and vulnerable phenotypes in mouse ABA significantly advances the utility of the model for identifying genes and neural substrates mediating AN risk and resilience. Modulation of dopamine may play a central role in the underlying circuit.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jeff A. Beeler
- Dept. of Psychology, Queens College and The Graduate Center, CUNY, Flushing, NY, 11367 USA
| | - Devry Mourra
- Dept. of Psychology, Queens College and The Graduate Center, CUNY, Flushing, NY, 11367 USA
| | - Roseanna M. Zanca
- Dept. of Psychology, Hunter College and The Graduate Center, CUNY, New York, NY, 10065 USA
| | - Abigail Kalmbach
- Dept. of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032 USA
| | - Celia Gellman
- Dept. of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032 USA,Dept. of Molecular Therapeutics, NYS Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY 10032 USA
| | - Benjamin Y. Klein
- Dept. of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032 USA,Dept. of Developmental Neuroscience, NYS Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY 10031 USA,Dept. of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel
| | | | - Peter Serrano
- Dept. of Psychology, Hunter College and The Graduate Center, CUNY, New York, NY, 10065 USA
| | - Holly Moore
- Dept. of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032 USA,Dept. of Systems Neuroscience, NYS Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY 10032 USA,National Institute on Drug Abuse, Bethesda, MD
| | - Stephen Rayport
- Dept. of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032 USA,Dept. of Molecular Therapeutics, NYS Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY 10032 USA
| | - Susana Mingote
- Dept. of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032 USA,Dept. of Molecular Therapeutics, NYS Psychiatric Institute, New York, NY 10032 USA,Advanced Science Research Center, The Graduate Center, CUNY, New York, NY 10031 USA
| | - Nesha S. Burghardt
- Dept. of Psychology, Hunter College and The Graduate Center, CUNY, New York, NY, 10065 USA,Dept. of Psychiatry, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10032 USA
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Spadini S, Ferro M, Lamanna J, Malgaroli A. Activity-based anorexia animal model: a review of the main neurobiological findings. J Eat Disord 2021; 9:123. [PMID: 34600568 PMCID: PMC8487535 DOI: 10.1186/s40337-021-00481-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The genesis of anorexia nervosa (AN), a severe eating disorder with a pervasive effect on many brain functions such as attention, emotions, reward processing, cognition and motor control, has not yet been understood. Since our current knowledge of the genetic aspects of AN is limited, we are left with a large and diversified number of biological, psychological and environmental risk factors, called into question as potential triggers of this chronic condition with a high relapse rate. One of the most valid and used animal models for AN is the activity-based anorexia (ABA), which recapitulates important features of the human condition. This model is generated from naïve rodents by a self-motivated caloric restriction, where a fixed schedule food delivery induces spontaneous increased physical activity. AIM In this review, we sought to provide a summary of the experimental research conducted using the ABA model in the pursuit of potential neurobiological mechanism(s) underlying AN. METHOD The experimental work presented here includes evidence for neuroanatomical and neurophysiological changes in several brain regions as well as for the dysregulation of specific neurochemical synaptic and neurohormonal pathways. RESULTS The most likely hypothesis for the mechanism behind the development of the ABA phenotype relates to an imbalance of the neural circuitry that mediates reward processing. Evidence collected here suggests that ABA animals show a large set of alterations, involving regions whose functions extend way beyond the control of reward mechanisms and eating habits. Hence, we cannot exclude a primary role of these alterations from a mechanistic theory of ABA induction. CONCLUSIONS These findings are not sufficient to solve such a major enigma in neuroscience, still they could be used to design ad hoc further experimental investigation. The prospect is that, since treatment of AN is still challenging, the ABA model could be more effectively used to shed light on the complex AN neurobiological framework, thus supporting the future development of therapeutic strategies but also the identification of biomarkers and diagnostic tools. Anorexia Nervosa (AN) is a severe eating disorder with a dramatic effect on many functions of our brain, such as attention, emotions, cognition and motion control. Since our current knowledge of the genetic aspects behind the development of AN is still limited, many biological, psychological and environmental factors must be taken into account as potential triggers of this condition. One of the most valid animal models for studying AN is the activity-based anorexia (ABA). In this model, rodents spontaneously limit food intake and start performing increased physical activity on a running wheel, a result of the imposition of a fixed time schedule for food delivery. In this review, we provide a detailed summary of the experimental research conducted using the ABA model, which includes extended evidence for changes in the anatomy and function of the brain of ABA rodents. The hope is that such integrated view will support the design of future experiments that will shed light on the complex brain mechanisms behind AN. Such advanced knowledge is crucial to find new, effective strategies for both the early diagnosis of AN and for its treatment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sara Spadini
- Center for Behavioral Neuroscience and Communication (BNC), Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Via Olgettina 58, 20132, Milan, Italy
| | - Mattia Ferro
- Center for Behavioral Neuroscience and Communication (BNC), Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Via Olgettina 58, 20132, Milan, Italy
- Department of Psychology, Sigmund Freud University, Milan, Italy
| | - Jacopo Lamanna
- Center for Behavioral Neuroscience and Communication (BNC), Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Via Olgettina 58, 20132, Milan, Italy
- Faculty of Psychology, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Antonio Malgaroli
- Center for Behavioral Neuroscience and Communication (BNC), Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Via Olgettina 58, 20132, Milan, Italy.
- Faculty of Psychology, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Micioni Di Bonaventura E, Botticelli L, Del Bello F, Giorgioni G, Piergentili A, Quaglia W, Cifani C, Micioni Di Bonaventura MV. Assessing the role of ghrelin and the enzyme ghrelin O-acyltransferase (GOAT) system in food reward, food motivation, and binge eating behavior. Pharmacol Res 2021; 172:105847. [PMID: 34438062 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2021.105847] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2021] [Revised: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The peripheral peptide hormone ghrelin is a powerful stimulator of food intake, which leads to body weight gain and adiposity in both rodents and humans. The hormone, thus, increases the vulnerability to obesity and binge eating behavior. Several studies have revealed that ghrelin's functions are due to its interaction with the growth hormone secretagogue receptor type 1a (GHSR1a) in the hypothalamic area; besides, ghrelin also promotes the reinforcing properties of hedonic food, acting at extra-hypothalamic sites and interacting with dopaminergic, cannabinoid, opioid, and orexin signaling. The hormone is primarily present in two forms in the plasma and the enzyme ghrelin O-acyltransferase (GOAT) allows the acylation reaction which causes the transformation of des-acyl-ghrelin (DAG) to the active form acyl-ghrelin (AG). DAG has been demonstrated to show antagonist properties; it is metabolically active, and counteracts the effects of AG on glucose metabolism and lipolysis, and reduces food consumption, body weight, and hedonic feeding response. Both peptides seem to influence the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and the corticosterone/cortisol level that drive the urge to eat under stressful conditions. These findings suggest that DAG and inhibition of GOAT may be targets for obesity and bingeing-related eating disorders and that AG/DAG ratio may be an important potential biomarker to assess the risk of developing maladaptive eating behaviors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Luca Botticelli
- School of Pharmacy, Pharmacology Unit, University of Camerino, via Madonna delle Carceri, 9, 62032 Camerino, Italy
| | - Fabio Del Bello
- School of Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry Unit, University of Camerino, via S. Agostino, 1, 62032 Camerino, Italy
| | - Gianfabio Giorgioni
- School of Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry Unit, University of Camerino, via S. Agostino, 1, 62032 Camerino, Italy
| | - Alessandro Piergentili
- School of Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry Unit, University of Camerino, via S. Agostino, 1, 62032 Camerino, Italy
| | - Wilma Quaglia
- School of Pharmacy, Medicinal Chemistry Unit, University of Camerino, via S. Agostino, 1, 62032 Camerino, Italy
| | - Carlo Cifani
- School of Pharmacy, Pharmacology Unit, University of Camerino, via Madonna delle Carceri, 9, 62032 Camerino, Italy.
| | | |
Collapse
|
43
|
Correa‐da‐Silva F, Fliers E, Swaab DF, Yi C. Hypothalamic neuropeptides and neurocircuitries in Prader Willi syndrome. J Neuroendocrinol 2021; 33:e12994. [PMID: 34156126 PMCID: PMC8365683 DOI: 10.1111/jne.12994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Revised: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Prader-Willi Syndrome (PWS) is a rare and incurable congenital neurodevelopmental disorder, resulting from the absence of expression of a group of genes on the paternally acquired chromosome 15q11-q13. Phenotypical characteristics of PWS include infantile hypotonia, short stature, incomplete pubertal development, hyperphagia and morbid obesity. Hypothalamic dysfunction in controlling body weight and food intake is a hallmark of PWS. Neuroimaging studies have demonstrated that PWS subjects have abnormal neurocircuitry engaged in the hedonic and physiological control of feeding behavior. This is translated into diminished production of hypothalamic effector peptides which are responsible for the coordination of energy homeostasis and satiety. So far, studies with animal models for PWS and with human post-mortem hypothalamic specimens demonstrated changes particularly in the infundibular and the paraventricular nuclei of the hypothalamus, both in orexigenic and anorexigenic neural populations. Moreover, many PWS patients have a severe endocrine dysfunction, e.g. central hypogonadism and/or growth hormone deficiency, which may contribute to the development of increased fat mass, especially if left untreated. Additionally, the role of non-neuronal cells, such as astrocytes and microglia in the hypothalamic dysregulation in PWS is yet to be determined. Notably, microglial activation is persistently present in non-genetic obesity. To what extent microglia, and other glial cells, are affected in PWS is poorly understood. The elucidation of the hypothalamic dysfunction in PWS could prove to be a key feature of rational therapeutic management in this syndrome. This review aims to examine the evidence for hypothalamic dysfunction, both at the neuropeptidergic and circuitry levels, and its correlation with the pathophysiology of PWS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Felipe Correa‐da‐Silva
- Department of Endocrinology and MetabolismAmsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology and MetabolismAmsterdam University Medical Center (UMC)University of AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
- Laboratory of EndocrinologyAmsterdam University Medical Center (UMC)University of AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
- Department of Neuropsychiatric DisordersNetherlands Institute for NeuroscienceAn Institute of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and SciencesAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Eric Fliers
- Department of Endocrinology and MetabolismAmsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology and MetabolismAmsterdam University Medical Center (UMC)University of AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Dick F. Swaab
- Department of Neuropsychiatric DisordersNetherlands Institute for NeuroscienceAn Institute of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and SciencesAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Chun‐Xia Yi
- Department of Endocrinology and MetabolismAmsterdam Gastroenterology Endocrinology and MetabolismAmsterdam University Medical Center (UMC)University of AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
- Laboratory of EndocrinologyAmsterdam University Medical Center (UMC)University of AmsterdamAmsterdamThe Netherlands
- Department of Neuropsychiatric DisordersNetherlands Institute for NeuroscienceAn Institute of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and SciencesAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Edvardsson CE, Vestlund J, Jerlhag E. A ghrelin receptor antagonist reduces the ability of ghrelin, alcohol or amphetamine to induce a dopamine release in the ventral tegmental area and in nucleus accumbens shell in rats. Eur J Pharmacol 2021; 899:174039. [PMID: 33737011 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2021.174039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Revised: 03/10/2021] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The orexigenic peptide ghrelin increases the release of dopamine in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) shell via central ghrelin receptors, especially those located in the ventral tegmental area (VTA). The activity of the VTA dopamine neurons projecting to NAc shell, involves somatodendritic dopamine release within the VTA. However, the effects of ghrelin on the concomitant dopamine release in the VTA and NAc shell is unknown. It is further unknown whether addictive drugs, such as alcohol and amphetamine, enhance the dopamine levels in both these areas via ghrelin receptor dependent mechanisms. Thus, the effects of a ghrelin receptor antagonist, JMV2959, on the ability of i) central ghrelin ii) systemic alcohol or iii) systemic amphetamine to increase the dopamine release in the VTA and in the NAc shell in rats by using in vivo microdialysis was explored. We showed that systemic administration of JMV2959 blocks the ability of central ghrelin to increases dopamine release in the VTA and the NAc shell, and reduces the alcohol- and amphetamine-induced dopamine release in both these areas. Locomotor activity studies was then conducted in an attempt to correlate the ghrelin-induced dopamine release in the VTA to a behavioural outcome. These revealed that local infusion of a dopamine D1 receptor antagonist into the VTA blocks the ability of central ghrelin to cause a locomotor stimulation in mice. Collectively, this study adds to the growing body of evidence indicating that ghrelin signalling modulates the ability of ghrelin, and addictive drugs, to activate the mesoaccumbal dopamine pathway.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Christian E Edvardsson
- Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Department of Pharmacology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Jesper Vestlund
- Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Department of Pharmacology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Elisabet Jerlhag
- Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Department of Pharmacology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Shi X, Guan K, Peng X, Xu B, Zhou X, Wang S, Xu S, Zheng M, Huang J, Wan X, Guan W, Su KP, Ye M, Gao X, Yin Z, Li X. Ghrelin modulates dopaminergic neuron formation and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder-like behaviors: From animals to human models. Brain Behav Immun 2021; 94:327-337. [PMID: 33412253 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbi.2020.12.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Revised: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most prevalent psychiatric disorders in children. The orexigenic hormone ghrelin is important in neuroprotection and neurodevelopment, which may play an important role in psychopathogenesis of ADHD. This study aimed to systematically investigate the genomic and pharmacological manipulations of ghrelin functioning in ADHD-like symptoms in zebrafish models and validated the effects of ghrelin polymorphisms in human subjects with ADHD. We firstly generated ghrelinΔ/Δ zebrafish mutant, which displayed hyperactive, attention deficit-like and impulsive-like behaviors, as well as endophenotypes, mimicking human ADHD. GhrelinΔ/Δ zebrafish exhibited downregulated expression levels of wnt1, wnt3a, wnt5a that are critical for dopaminergic neuron development to possibly regulate their number and spatial organization. Pharmacological blockade of wnt signaling with XAV939 induced a reduced moving activity and less dopaminergic neurons; whereas, wnt agonist SB415286 rescued hyperactivity and dopaminergic neuron loss in ghrelinΔ/Δ zebrafish. In addition, we further identified and validated a SNP, rs696217, on orexigenic hormone preproghrelin/ghrelin (T408T, Met72Met) to be associated with a higher risk of ADHD in a case-controlled association study with 248 subjects with ADHD and 208 subjects of healthy controls. Together, our results reveal a novel endogenous role for orexigenic hormone ghrelin in ADHD, which provides insights into genetic regulation and drug screens for the identification of novel treatments of ADHD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xulai Shi
- The Affiliated Kangning Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, Zhejiang Province, PR China
| | - Kaiyu Guan
- The Affiliated Kangning Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, Zhejiang Province, PR China
| | - Xuyan Peng
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei, PR China
| | - Bingru Xu
- School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Science, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, Zhejiang Province, PR China
| | - Xianyong Zhou
- The Affiliated Kangning Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, Zhejiang Province, PR China
| | - Shao Wang
- The Affiliated Kangning Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, Zhejiang Province, PR China
| | - Shengnan Xu
- The Affiliated Kangning Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, Zhejiang Province, PR China
| | - Miaomiao Zheng
- The Affiliated Kangning Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, Zhejiang Province, PR China
| | - Jing Huang
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Informatics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, USA
| | - Xiaoyang Wan
- Institute of Infectious Liver Disease, Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, PR China
| | - Wanchun Guan
- School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Science, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, Zhejiang Province, PR China
| | - Kuan-Pin Su
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK; An-Nan Hospital, China Medical University, Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Minjie Ye
- The Affiliated Kangning Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, Zhejiang Province, PR China
| | - Xiang Gao
- Central Laboratory, Scientific Research Department, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China.
| | - Zhan Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, Hubei, PR China.
| | - Xi Li
- The Affiliated Kangning Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325000, Zhejiang Province, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Schalla MA, Taché Y, Stengel A. Neuroendocrine Peptides of the Gut and Their Role in the Regulation of Food Intake. Compr Physiol 2021; 11:1679-1730. [PMID: 33792904 DOI: 10.1002/cphy.c200007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The regulation of food intake encompasses complex interplays between the gut and the brain. Among them, the gastrointestinal tract releases different peptides that communicate the metabolic state to specific nuclei in the hindbrain and the hypothalamus. The present overview gives emphasis on seven peptides that are produced by and secreted from specialized enteroendocrine cells along the gastrointestinal tract in relation with the nutritional status. These established modulators of feeding are ghrelin and nesfatin-1 secreted from gastric X/A-like cells, cholecystokinin (CCK) secreted from duodenal I-cells, glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), oxyntomodulin, and peptide YY (PYY) secreted from intestinal L-cells and uroguanylin (UGN) released from enterochromaffin (EC) cells. © 2021 American Physiological Society. Compr Physiol 11:1679-1730, 2021.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Martha A Schalla
- Charité Center for Internal Medicine and Dermatology, Department for Psychosomatic Medicine, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany
| | - Yvette Taché
- Vatche and Tamar Manoukian Division of Digestive Diseases, Department of Medicine, CURE: Digestive Diseases Research Center, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA.,VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Andreas Stengel
- Charité Center for Internal Medicine and Dermatology, Department for Psychosomatic Medicine, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin, Germany.,Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, Medical University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Cannabinoid-Induced Conditioned Place Preference, Intravenous Self-Administration, and Behavioral Stimulation Influenced by Ghrelin Receptor Antagonism in Rats. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22052397. [PMID: 33673659 PMCID: PMC7957642 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22052397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2021] [Revised: 02/13/2021] [Accepted: 02/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Cannabis/cannabinoids are widely used for recreational and therapy purposes, but their risks are largely disregarded. However, cannabinoid-associated use disorders and dependence are alarmingly increasing and an effective treatment is lacking. Recently, the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR1A) antagonism was proposed as a promising mechanism for drug addiction therapy. However, the role of GHS-R1A and its endogenous ligand ghrelin in cannabinoid abuse remains unclear. Therefore, the aim of our study was to investigate whether the GHS-R1A antagonist JMV2959 could reduce the tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)-induced conditioned place preference (CPP) and behavioral stimulation, the WIN55,212-2 intravenous self-administration (IVSA), and the tendency to relapse. Following an ongoing WIN55,212-2 self-administration, JMV2959 3 mg/kg was administered intraperitoneally 20 min before three consequent daily 120-min IVSA sessions under a fixed ratio FR1, which significantly reduced the number of the active lever-pressing, the number of infusions, and the cannabinoid intake. Pretreatment with JMV2959 suggested reduction of the WIN55,212-2-seeking/relapse-like behavior tested in rats on the twelfth day of the forced abstinence period. On the contrary, pretreatment with ghrelin significantly increased the cannabinoid IVSA as well as enhanced the relapse-like behavior. Co-administration of ghrelin with JMV2959 abolished/reduced the significant efficacy of the GHS-R1A antagonist in the cannabinoid IVSA. Pretreatment with JMV2959 significantly and dose-dependently reduced the manifestation of THC-induced CPP. The THC-CPP development was reduced after the simultaneous administration of JMV2959 with THC during conditioning. JMV2959 also significantly reduced the THC-induced behavioral stimulation in the LABORAS cage. Our findings suggest that GHS-R1A importantly participates in the rewarding/reinforcing effects of cannabinoids.
Collapse
|
48
|
Seidel M, Markmann Jensen S, Healy D, Dureja A, Watson HJ, Holst B, Bulik CM, Sjögren JM. A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Finds Increased Blood Levels of All Forms of Ghrelin in Both Restricting and Binge-Eating/Purging Subtypes of Anorexia Nervosa. Nutrients 2021; 13:nu13020709. [PMID: 33672297 PMCID: PMC7926807 DOI: 10.3390/nu13020709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2021] [Revised: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a severe psychiatric condition associated with high mortality and chronicity. The hunt for state, trait, subtyping, and prognostic biomarkers is ongoing and the orexigenic hormone ghrelin and its different forms, acyl ghrelin and desacyl ghrelin, have been proposed to be increased in AN, especially in the restrictive subtype. A systematic literature search was performed using established databases up to 30 November 2020. Forty-nine studies met inclusion criteria for cross-sectional and longitudinal meta-analyses on total ghrelin, acyl ghrelin, and desacyl ghrelin. All forms of ghrelin were increased in the acute stage of anorexia nervosa during fasting compared to healthy controls. Previous notions on differences in ghrelin levels between AN subtypes were not supported by current data. In addition, a significant decrease in total ghrelin was observed pre-treatment to follow-up. However, total ghrelin levels at follow-up were still marginally elevated compared to healthy controls, whereas for acyl ghrelin, no overall effect of treatment was observed. Due to heterogeneity in follow-up designs and only few data on long-term recovered patients, longitudinal results should be interpreted with caution. While the first steps towards a biomarker in acute AN have been completed, the value of ghrelin as a potential indicator of treatment success or recovery status or its use in subtype differentiation are yet to be established.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Seidel
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, 171 65 Solna, Sweden; (M.S.); (C.M.B.)
- Division of Psychological and Social Medicine and Developmental Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, Technische Universität Dresden, 1099 Dresden, Germany
| | - Signe Markmann Jensen
- Research Unit Eating Disorders, Psychiatric Center Ballerup, Maglevænget 32, 2750 Ballerup, Denmark; (S.M.J.); (D.H.); (A.D.)
| | - Darren Healy
- Research Unit Eating Disorders, Psychiatric Center Ballerup, Maglevænget 32, 2750 Ballerup, Denmark; (S.M.J.); (D.H.); (A.D.)
| | - Aakriti Dureja
- Research Unit Eating Disorders, Psychiatric Center Ballerup, Maglevænget 32, 2750 Ballerup, Denmark; (S.M.J.); (D.H.); (A.D.)
| | - Hunna J. Watson
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA;
- School of Psychology, Curtin University, Perth U1987, Australia
- Division of Paediatrics, University of Western Australia, Perth 6907, Australia
| | - Birgitte Holst
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 1353 Copenhagen, Denmark;
| | - Cynthia M. Bulik
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, 171 65 Solna, Sweden; (M.S.); (C.M.B.)
- Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA;
- Department of Nutrition, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA
| | - Jan Magnus Sjögren
- Research Unit Eating Disorders, Psychiatric Center Ballerup, Maglevænget 32, 2750 Ballerup, Denmark; (S.M.J.); (D.H.); (A.D.)
- Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Copenhagen, 2200 N Copenhagen, Denmark
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Kalafateli AL, Aranäs C, Jerlhag E. Activation of the amylin pathway modulates cocaine-induced activation of the mesolimbic dopamine system in male mice. Horm Behav 2021; 127:104885. [PMID: 33166561 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2020.104885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2020] [Revised: 10/28/2020] [Accepted: 10/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Besides food intake reduction, activation of the amylin pathway by salmon calcitonin (sCT), an amylin and calcitonin receptor agonist, inhibits alcohol-mediated behaviors in rodents. This involves brain areas processing reward, i.e. the laterodorsal (LDTg), ventral tegmental area (VTA) and nucleus accumbens (NAc). However, the effects of stimulation of the amylin pathway on behaviors caused by cocaine and the brain areas involved in these processes have not yet been investigated. We therefore explored in male mice, the effects of systemic administration of sCT on cocaine-induced locomotor stimulation, dopamine release in the NAc and cocaine reward, as well as reward-dependent memory of cocaine, in the conditioned place preference (CPP) paradigm. Moreover, the outcome of systemic sCT and cocaine co-administration for five days on locomotor activity was investigated. Lastly, the impact of sCT infusions into the LDTg, VTA, NAc shell or core on cocaine-evoked locomotor stimulation was explored. We found that sCT attenuated cocaine-induced locomotor stimulation and accumbal dopamine release, without altering cocaine's rewarding properties or reward-dependent memory retrieval in the CPP paradigm. Five days of cocaine administration caused locomotor stimulation in mice pre-treated with vehicle, but not with sCT. In mice infused with vehicle into the aforementioned reward-related areas, cocaine caused locomotor stimulation, a response that was not evident following sCT infusions. The current findings suggest a novel role for the amylinergic pathway as regulator of cocaine-evoked activation of the mesolimbic dopamine system, opening the way for the investigation of the amylin signalling in the modulation of other drugs of abuse.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Aimilia Lydia Kalafateli
- Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Department of Pharmacology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Cajsa Aranäs
- Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Department of Pharmacology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Elisabet Jerlhag
- Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Department of Pharmacology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Charalambous C, Lapka M, Havlickova T, Syslova K, Sustkova-Fiserova M. Alterations in Rat Accumbens Dopamine, Endocannabinoids and GABA Content During WIN55,212-2 Treatment: The Role of Ghrelin. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 22:ijms22010210. [PMID: 33379212 PMCID: PMC7795825 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22010210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2020] [Revised: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 12/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The endocannabinoid/CB1R system as well as the central ghrelin signalling with its growth hormone secretagogoue receptors (GHS-R1A) are importantly involved in food intake and reward/reinforcement processing and show distinct overlaps in distribution within the relevant brain regions including the hypothalamus (food intake), the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and the nucleus accumbens (NAC) (reward/reinforcement). The significant mutual interaction between these systems in food intake has been documented; however, the possible role of ghrelin/GHS-R1A in the cannabinoid reinforcement effects and addiction remain unclear. Therefore, the principal aim of the present study was to investigate whether pretreatment with GHS-R1A antagonist/JMV2959 could reduce the CB1R agonist/WIN55,212-2–induced dopamine efflux in the nucleus accumbens shell (NACSh), which is considered a crucial trigger impulse of the addiction process. The synthetic aminoalklylindol cannabinoid WIN55,212-2 administration into the posterior VTA induced significant accumbens dopamine release, which was significantly reduced by the 3 mg/kg i.p. JMV2959 pretreatment. Simultaneously, the cannabinoid-increased accumbens dopamine metabolic turnover was significantly augmented by the JMV2959 pretreament. The intracerebral WIN55,212-2 administration also increased the endocannabinoid arachidonoylethanolamide/anandamide and the 2-arachidonoylglycerol/2-AG extracellular levels in the NACSh, which was moderately but significantly attenuated by the JMV2959 pretreatment. Moreover, the cannabinoid-induced decrease in accumbens γ-aminobutyric acid/gamma-aminobutyric acid levels was reversed by the JMV2959 pretreatment. The behavioural study in the LABORAS cage showed that 3 mg/kg JMV2959 pretreatment also significantly reduced the systemic WIN55,212-2-induced behavioural stimulation. Our results demonstrate that the ghrelin/GHS-R1A system significantly participates in the rewarding/reinforcing effects of the cannabinoid/CB1 agonist that are involved in cannabinoid addiction processing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chrysostomos Charalambous
- Department of Addictology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Apolinarska 4, 128 00 Prague 2, Czech Republic;
| | - Marek Lapka
- Department of Pharmacology, Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Ruska 87, 100 34 Prague 10, Czech Republic; (M.L.); (T.H.)
| | - Tereza Havlickova
- Department of Pharmacology, Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Ruska 87, 100 34 Prague 10, Czech Republic; (M.L.); (T.H.)
| | - Kamila Syslova
- Laboratory of Medicinal Diagnostics, Department of Organic Technology, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Technicka 5, 166 28 Prague 6, Czech Republic;
| | - Magdalena Sustkova-Fiserova
- Department of Pharmacology, Third Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Ruska 87, 100 34 Prague 10, Czech Republic; (M.L.); (T.H.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +420-267-102-450; Fax: +420-267-102-461
| |
Collapse
|