1
|
Dos Santos FCF, Lima GFC, Merlo E, Januario CDF, Miranda-Alves L, Miranda RA, Lisboa PC, Graceli JB. Single microcystin exposure impairs the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis at different levels in female rats. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2024; 586:112203. [PMID: 38490633 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2024.112203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024]
Abstract
Microcystin (MC) is most common cyanobacterial toxin. Few studies have evaluated the MC effects on the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis and metabolic function. In this study, we assessed whether MC exposure results in HPG axis and metabolic changes. Female rats were exposed to a single dose of MC at environmentally relevant levels (5, 20 and 40 μg/kg). After 24 h, we evaluated reproductive and metabolic parameters for 15 days. MC reduced the hypothalamic GnRH protein expression, increased the pituitary protein expression of GnRHr and IL-6. MC reduced LH levels and increased FSH levels. MC reduced the primary follicles, increased the corpora lutea, elevated levels of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and progesterone, and decreased estrogen levels. MC increased ovarian VEGFr, LHr, AMH, ED1, IL-6 and Gp91-phox protein expression. MC increased uterine area and reduced endometrial gland number. A blunted estrogen-negative feedback was observed in MC rats after ovariectomy, with no changes in LH levels compared to intact MC rats. Therefore, these data suggest that a MC leads to abnormal HPG axis function in female rats.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Flavia C F Dos Santos
- Department of Morphology, Federal University of Espírito Santo, 290440-090, Vitória, Brazil
| | - Gabriela F C Lima
- Department of Morphology, Federal University of Espírito Santo, 290440-090, Vitória, Brazil
| | - Eduardo Merlo
- Department of Morphology, Federal University of Espírito Santo, 290440-090, Vitória, Brazil
| | - Cidalia de F Januario
- Department of Morphology, Federal University of Espírito Santo, 290440-090, Vitória, Brazil
| | - Leandro Miranda-Alves
- Experimental Endocrinology Research, Development and Innovation Group, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, 21941-904, Ilha do Governador, Brazil
| | - Rosiane A Miranda
- Laboratory of Endocrine Physiology, Biology Institute, State University of Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Patrícia C Lisboa
- Laboratory of Endocrine Physiology, Biology Institute, State University of Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Jones B Graceli
- Department of Morphology, Federal University of Espírito Santo, 290440-090, Vitória, Brazil.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Xu FR, Wei ZH, Xu XX, Zhang XG, Wei CJ, Qi XM, Li YH, Gao XL, Wu Y. The hypothalamic steroidogenic pathway mediates susceptibility to inflammation-evoked depression in female mice. J Neuroinflammation 2023; 20:293. [PMID: 38062440 PMCID: PMC10704691 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-023-02976-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Depression is two-to-three times more frequent among women. The hypothalamus, a sexually dimorphic area, has been implicated in the pathophysiology of depression. Neuroinflammation-induced hypothalamic dysfunction underlies behaviors associated with depression. The lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced mouse model of depression has been well-validated in numerous laboratories, including our own, and is widely used to investigate the relationship between neuroinflammation and depression. However, the sex-specific differences in metabolic alterations underlying depression-associated hypothalamic neuroinflammation remain unknown. METHODS Here, we employed the LPS-induced mouse model of depression to investigate hypothalamic metabolic changes in both male and female mice using a metabolomics approach. Through bioinformatics analysis, we confirmed the molecular pathways and biological processes associated with the identified metabolites. Furthermore, we employed quantitative real-time PCR, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, western blotting, and pharmacological interventions to further elucidate the underlying mechanisms. RESULTS A total of 124 and 61 differential metabolites (DMs) were detected in male and female mice with depressive-like behavior, respectively, compared to their respective sex-matched control groups. Moreover, a comparison between female and male model mice identified 37 DMs. We capitalized on biochemical clustering and functional enrichment analyses to define the major metabolic changes in these DMs. More than 55% of the DMs clustered into lipids and lipid-like molecules, and an imbalance in lipids metabolism was presented in the hypothalamus. Furthermore, steroidogenic pathway was confirmed as a potential sex-specific pathway in the hypothalamus of female mice with depression. Pregnenolone, an upstream component of the steroid hormone biosynthesis pathway, was downregulated in female mice with depressive-like phenotypes but not in males and had considerable relevance to depressive-like behaviors in females. Moreover, exogenous pregnenolone infusion reversed depressive-like behaviors in female mice with depression. The 5α-reductase type I (SRD5A1), a steroidogenic hub enzyme involved in pregnenolone metabolism, was increased in the hypothalamus of female mice with depression. Its inhibition increased hypothalamic pregnenolone levels and ameliorated depressive-like behaviors in female mice with depression. CONCLUSIONS Our study findings demonstrate a marked sexual dimorphism at the metabolic level in depression, particularly in hypothalamic steroidogenic metabolism, identifying a potential sex-specific pathway in female mice with depressive-like behaviors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fu-Rong Xu
- Department of Nursing, The Second People's Hospital of Wuwei, Wuwei, 733000, China
| | - Zhen-Hong Wei
- NHC Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Therapy of Gastrointestinal Tumor, Gansu Provincial Hospital, Lanzhou, 730000, China
- Institute of Clinical Research and Translational Medicine, Gansu Provincial Hospital, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Xiao-Xia Xu
- Department of Nursing, People's Hospital of Wuwei, Wuwei, 733000, China
| | - Xiao-Gang Zhang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, 510515, China
| | - Chao-Jun Wei
- NHC Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Therapy of Gastrointestinal Tumor, Gansu Provincial Hospital, Lanzhou, 730000, China
- Institute of Clinical Research and Translational Medicine, Gansu Provincial Hospital, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Xiao-Ming Qi
- NHC Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Therapy of Gastrointestinal Tumor, Gansu Provincial Hospital, Lanzhou, 730000, China
- Institute of Clinical Research and Translational Medicine, Gansu Provincial Hospital, Lanzhou, 730000, China
| | - Yong-Hong Li
- NHC Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Therapy of Gastrointestinal Tumor, Gansu Provincial Hospital, Lanzhou, 730000, China.
- Institute of Clinical Research and Translational Medicine, Gansu Provincial Hospital, Lanzhou, 730000, China.
| | - Xiao-Ling Gao
- The Clinical Laboratory Center, Hainan General Hospital, Hainan Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Haikou, 570100, China.
| | - Yu Wu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Therapy of Gastrointestinal Tumor, Gansu Provincial Hospital, Lanzhou, 730000, China.
- Institute of Clinical Research and Translational Medicine, Gansu Provincial Hospital, Lanzhou, 730000, China.
- School of Psychology, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Si S, Zhao X, Su F, Lu H, Zhang D, Sun L, Wang F, Xu L. New advances in clinical application of neostigmine: no longer focusing solely on increasing skeletal muscle strength. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1227496. [PMID: 37601044 PMCID: PMC10436336 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1227496] [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: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Neostigmine is a clinical cholinesterase inhibitor, that is, commonly used to enhance the function of the cholinergic neuromuscular junction. Recent studies have shown that neostigmine regulates the immune-inflammatory response through the cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway, affecting perioperative neurocognitive function. This article reviews the relevant research evidence over the past 20 years, intending to provide new perspectives and strategies for the clinical application of neostigmine.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shangkun Si
- Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Xiaohu Zhao
- Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Fan Su
- Department of Anesthesiology, Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Hongxiu Lu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Dongbin Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Li Sun
- Department of Anesthesiology, Affiliated Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Fulei Wang
- Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| | - Li Xu
- Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Jinan, China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
The Effect of Photoperiodic Conditions on GnRH/LH Secretion in Ewes. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12030283. [PMID: 35158608 PMCID: PMC8833478 DOI: 10.3390/ani12030283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Revised: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary During the course of evolution, animals have evolved biological rhythms that are associated with changes in the lighting and temperature of their environment. Females in most breeds of sheep are seasonal breeders, with ovulatory cycles occurring in the autumn and winter and anovulation in the spring and summer. Secretion of gonadotropin releasing hormone and luteinizing hormone, the main hormones regulating reproduction in females, displays a circadian pattern; however, data concerning the day/night differences in their secretion in ewes are incomplete. The aim of the undertaken study was to determine the day/night differences in the secretion of gonadotropin releasing hormone and luteinizing hormone in follicular phase and anestrous ewes. It was demonstrated that secretion of investigated hormones is subject to diurnal and seasonal changes. The observed reduction in luteinizing hormone release, a few hours after the sunset, seems to be universal for both the anestrus and follicular phase. It could be concluded that the nocturnal suppression of luteinizing hormone secretion in follicular phase ewes may be a mechanism moving this hormone surge to the early morning. Abstract Secretion of gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) displays a circadian pattern. Data concerning differences in daily GnRH/LH secretion during different seasons in sheep are fragmentary. The aim of the study was to determine day/night differences in GnRH/LH secretion in the follicular phase and in the anestrous ewes. The studies were performed on Blackhead ewes (n = 24). Ewes from each season were divided into two groups of six animals (day and night group). The animals were euthanized 5 h after sunset or 5 h after sunrise and blood was taken to determine LH and melatonin concentrations. In the hypothalamus, the expression of GnRH and gonadotropin releasing hormone receptor (GnRHR) was determined. In the anterior pituitary, the expression of mRNA encoding subunit β of LH (LHβ) and GnRHR was assayed. Our study showed that GnRH/LH secretion is subject to diurnal and seasonal changes. The observed reduction in LH release, a few hours after the sunset, seems to be universal for both the anestrus and follicular phase, when the processes occurring at the hypothalamus are more equivocal. It could be concluded that the nocturnal suppression of LH secretion in follicular phase ewes may be a mechanism moving the LH surge to the early morning.
Collapse
|
5
|
Acute Effect of Caffeine on the Synthesis of Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines in the Hypothalamus and Choroid Plexus during Endotoxin-Induced Inflammation in a Female Sheep Model. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms222413237. [PMID: 34948033 PMCID: PMC8706723 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222413237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Revised: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
This study was designed to determine the effect of acute caffeine (CAF) administration, which exerts a broad spectrum of anti-inflammatory activity, on the synthesis of pro-inflammatory cytokines and their receptors in the hypothalamus and choroid plexus (ChP) during acute inflammation caused by the injection of bacterial endotoxin—lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The experiment was performed on 24 female sheep randomly divided into four groups: control; LPS treated (iv.; 400 ng/kg of body mass (bm.)); CAF treated (iv.; 30 mg/kg of bm.); and LPS and CAF treated. The animals were euthanized 3 h after the treatment. It was found that acute administration of CAF suppressed the synthesis of interleukin (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)α, but did not influence IL-6, in the hypothalamus during LPS-induced inflammation. The injection of CAF reduced the LPS-induced expression of TNF mRNA in the ChP. CAF lowered the gene expression of IL-6 cytokine family signal transducer (IL6ST) and TNF receptor superfamily member 1A (TNFRSF1) in the hypothalamus and IL-1 type II receptor (IL1R2) in the ChP. Our study on the sheep model suggests that CAF may attenuate the inflammatory response at the hypothalamic level and partly influence the inflammatory signal generated by the ChP cells. This suggests the potential of CAF to suppress neuroinflammatory processes induced by peripheral immune/inflammatory challenges.
Collapse
|
6
|
Nasreldin N, Ali FAZ, Abd-Elhafeez HH, Hassan M, El-Zeftawy M, Senosy W. Characterization of immunological, biochemical and inflammatory response of clinical and subclinical endometritis in ewes in the subtropics. Anim Reprod Sci 2020; 219:106541. [PMID: 32828415 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2020.106541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2020] [Revised: 07/06/2020] [Accepted: 07/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Pluriparus Ossimi (n = 50) ewes were used to investigate the immune profile of the affected ewes to accurately diagnose clinical and subclinical endometritis and associations with biochemical variables. Ewes were slaughtered and animals were classified into control (no fertility problems), subclinical endometritis (SCE) and clinical endometritis (CE) groups based on pre-slaughter determinations of conception failure. Serum was collected from ewes to estimate concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines including interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) as well as nitric oxide (NO) concentration. The results from immunological evaluations indicated there were greater (P < 0.001) serum concentrations of IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α and NO in ewes classified with SCE and CE as compared to ewes of the control group. Furthermore, values for concentrations of TNF-α were positively correlated with IL-6 and IL-8 concentrations in ewes of the SCE and CE groups. In ewes classified with CE and SCE there were greater (P < 0.01) concentrations of blood glucose, ALT, AST, urea and creatinine than in ewes of the control group. It is concluded that serum pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α are diagnostic markers for CE and SCE in ewes and serve as a criterion for different inflammatory complications in ewes classified as having CE or SCE.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nani Nasreldin
- Department of Pathology and Clinical Pathology. Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. New Valley University, El-Kharga, P.O. Box 72511, Egypt
| | - Fatma Abo Zakaib Ali
- Department of Pathology and Clinical Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Sohag University, Sohag, P.O. Box 82524, Egypt
| | - Hanan H Abd-Elhafeez
- Department of Anatomy, Embryology and Histology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, P.O. Box 71526, Egypt
| | - Mervat Hassan
- Department of Theriogenology. Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. New Valley University, El-Kharga, P.O. Box 72511, Egypt
| | - Marwa El-Zeftawy
- Department of Biochemistry. Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. New Valley University, El-Kharga, P.O. Box 72511, Egypt
| | - Waleed Senosy
- Department of Theriogenology. Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. New Valley University, El-Kharga, P.O. Box 72511, Egypt.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Wójcik M, Herman AP, Zieba DA, Krawczyńska A. The Impact of Photoperiod on the Leptin Sensitivity and Course of Inflammation in the Anterior Pituitary. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21114153. [PMID: 32532062 PMCID: PMC7312887 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21114153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2020] [Revised: 06/08/2020] [Accepted: 06/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Leptin has a modulatory impact on the course of inflammation, affecting the expression of proinflammatory cytokines and their receptors. Pathophysiological leptin resistance identified in humans occurs typically in sheep during the long-day photoperiod. This study aimed to determine the effect of the photoperiod with relation to the leptin-modulating action on the expression of the proinflammatory cytokines and their receptors in the anterior pituitary under physiological or acute inflammation. Two in vivo experiments were conducted on 24 blackface sheep per experiment in different photoperiods. The real-time PCR analysis for the expression of the genes IL1B, IL1R1, IL1R2, IL6, IL6R, IL6ST, TNF, TNFR1, and TNFR2 was performed. Expression of all examined genes, except IL1β and IL1R2, was higher during short days. The leptin injection increased the expression of all examined genes during short days. In short days the synergistic effect of lipopolysaccharide and leptin increased the expression of IL1B, IL1R1, IL1R2, IL6, TNF, and TNFR2, and decreased expression of IL6ST. This mechanism was inhibited during long days for the expression of IL1R1, IL6, IL6ST, and TNFR1. The obtained results suggest the occurrence of leptin resistance during long days and suggest that leptin modulates the course of inflammation in a photoperiod-dependent manner in the anterior pituitary.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Maciej Wójcik
- The Kielanowski Institute of Animal Physiology and Nutrition, Polish Academy of Sciences, ul. Instytucka 3, 05-110 Jabłonna, Poland; (A.P.H.); (A.K.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Andrzej Przemysław Herman
- The Kielanowski Institute of Animal Physiology and Nutrition, Polish Academy of Sciences, ul. Instytucka 3, 05-110 Jabłonna, Poland; (A.P.H.); (A.K.)
| | - Dorota Anna Zieba
- Laboratory of Biotechnology and Genomics, Department of Nutrition, Animal Biotechnology and Fisheries, Agricultural University of Krakow, 30-248 Krakow, Poland;
| | - Agata Krawczyńska
- The Kielanowski Institute of Animal Physiology and Nutrition, Polish Academy of Sciences, ul. Instytucka 3, 05-110 Jabłonna, Poland; (A.P.H.); (A.K.)
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Barabás K, Szabó-Meleg E, Ábrahám IM. Effect of Inflammation on Female Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH) Neurons: Mechanisms and Consequences. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21020529. [PMID: 31947687 PMCID: PMC7014424 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21020529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2019] [Revised: 01/06/2020] [Accepted: 01/08/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
: Inflammation has a well-known suppressive effect on fertility. The function of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons, the central regulator of fertility is substantially altered during inflammation in females. In our review we discuss the latest results on how the function of GnRH neurons is modified by inflammation in females. We first address the various effects of inflammation on GnRH neurons and their functional consequences. Second, we survey the possible mechanisms underlying the inflammation-induced actions on GnRH neurons. The role of several factors will be discerned in transmitting inflammatory signals to the GnRH neurons: cytokines, kisspeptin, RFamide-related peptides, estradiol and the anti-inflammatory cholinergic pathway. Since aging and obesity are both characterized by reproductive decline our review also focuses on the mechanisms and pathophysiological consequences of the impact of inflammation on GnRH neurons in aging and obesity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Klaudia Barabás
- Molecular Neuroendocrinology Research Group, Institute of Physiology, Medical School, Centre for Neuroscience, Szentágothai Research Institute, University of Pécs, H-7624 Pécs, Hungary;
| | - Edina Szabó-Meleg
- Departement of Biophysics, Medical School, University of Pécs, H-7624 Pécs, Hungary;
| | - István M. Ábrahám
- Molecular Neuroendocrinology Research Group, Institute of Physiology, Medical School, Centre for Neuroscience, Szentágothai Research Institute, University of Pécs, H-7624 Pécs, Hungary;
- Correspondence:
| |
Collapse
|