Neuroactive steroids in the neuroendocrine control of food intake, metabolism, and reproduction.

Neuroactive steroids are a type of steroid hormones produced within the nervous system or in peripheral glands and then transported to the brain to exert their neuromodulatory effects. Neuroactive steroids have pleiotropic effects, that include promoting myelination, neuroplasticity, and brain development. They also regulate important physiological functions, such as metabolism, feeding, reproduction, and stress response. The homoeostatic processes of metabolism and reproduction are closely linked and mutually dependent. Reproductive events, such as pregnancy, bring about significant changes in metabolism, and metabolic status may affect reproductive function in mammals. In females, the regulation of reproduction and energy balance is controlled by the fluctuations of oestradiol and progesterone throughout the menstrual cycle. Neurosteroids play a key role in the neuroendocrine control of reproduction. The synthesis of neuroestradiol and neuroprogesterone within the brain is a crucial process that facilitates the release of GnRH and LH, which in turn, regulate the transition from oestrogen-negative to oestrogen-positive feedback. In addition to their function in the reproductive system, oestrogen has a key role in the regulation of energy homoeostasis by acting at central and peripheral levels. The oestrogenic effects on body weight homoeostasis are primarily mediated by oestrogen receptors-α (ERα), which are abundantly expressed in multiple brain regions that are implicated in the regulation of food intake, basal metabolism, thermogenesis, and brown tissue distribution. The tight interplay between energy balance and reproductive physiology is facilitated by shared regulatory pathways, namely POMC, NPY and kisspeptin neurons, which are targets of oestrogen regulation and likely participate in different aspects of the joint control of energy balance and reproductive function. The aim of this review is to present a summary of the progress made in uncovering shared regulatory pathways that facilitate the tight coupling between energy balance and reproductive physiology, as well as their reciprocal interactions and the modulation induced by neurosteroids.

Reduced light exposure mitigates streptozotocin-induced vascular changes and gliosis in diabetic retina by an anti-inflammatory effect and increased retinal cholesterol turnover.

Diabetic retinopathy is not cured efficiently and changes of lifestyle measures may delay early retinal injury in diabetes. The aim of our study was to investigate the effects of reduced daily light exposure on retinal vascular changes in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced model of DM with emphasis on inflammation, Aqp4 expression, visual cycle and cholesterol metabolism-related gene expression in rat retina and RPE. Male Wistar rats were divided into the following groups: 1. control; 2. diabetic group (DM) treated with streptozotocin (100 mg/kg); 3. group exposed to light/dark cycle 6/18 h (6/18); 4. diabetic group exposed to light/dark cycle 6/18 h (DM+6/18). Retinal vascular abnormalities were estimated based on lectin staining, while the expression of genes involved in the visual cycle, cholesterol metabolism, and inflammation was determined by qRT-PCR. Reduced light exposure alleviated vasculopathy, gliosis and the expression of IL-1 and TNF-α in the retina with increased perivascular Aqp4 expression. The expression of genes involved in visual cycle and cholesterol metabolism was significantly up-regulated in RPE in DM+6/18 vs. DM group. In the retina only the expression of APOE was significantly higher in DM+6/18 vs. DM group. Reduced light exposure mitigates vascular changes and gliosis in DM via its anti-inflammatory effect, increased retinal cholesterol turnover and perivascular Aqp4 expression.

Adipose-derived extracellular vesicles - a novel cross-talk mechanism in insulin resistance, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and polycystic ovary syndrome.

Obesity is the best described risk factor for the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)/metabolic dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) while the major pathogenic mechanism linking these entities is insulin resistance (IR). IR is primarily caused by increased secretion of proinflammatory cytokines, adipokines, and lipids from visceral adipose tissue. Increased fatty acid mobilization results in ectopic fat deposition in the liver which causes endoplasmic reticulum stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and oxidative stress resulting in increased cytokine production and subsequent inflammation. Similarly, IR with hyperinsulinemia cause hyperandrogenism, the hallmark of PCOS, and inflammation in the ovaries. Proinflammatory cytokines from both liver and ovaries aggravate IR thus providing a complex interaction between adipose tissue, liver, and ovaries in inducing metabolic abnormalities in obese subjects. Although many pathogenic mechanisms of IR, NAFLD/MASLD, and PCOS are known, there is still no effective therapy for these entities suggesting the need for further evaluation of their pathogenesis. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) represent a novel cross-talk mechanism between organs and include membrane-bound vesicles containing proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids that may change the phenotype and function of target cells. Adipose tissue releases EVs that promote IR, the development of all stages of NAFLD/MASLD and PCOS, while mesenchymal stem cell-derived AVs may alleviate metabolic abnormalities and may represent a novel therapeutic device in NAFLD/MASLD, and PCOS. The purpose of this review is to summarize the current knowledge on the role of adipose tissue-derived EVs in the pathogenesis of IR, NAFLD/MASLD, and PCOS.

The Interconnection between Hepatic Insulin Resistance and Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease-The Transition from an Adipocentric to Liver-Centric Approach.

The central mechanism involved in the pathogenesis of MAFLD is insulin resistance with hyperinsulinemia, which stimulates triglyceride synthesis and accumulation in the liver. On the other side, triglyceride and free fatty acid accumulation in hepatocytes promotes insulin resistance via oxidative stress, endoplasmic reticulum stress, lipotoxicity, and the increased secretion of hepatokines. Cytokines and adipokines cause insulin resistance, thus promoting lipolysis in adipose tissue and ectopic fat deposition in the muscles and liver. Free fatty acids along with cytokines and adipokines contribute to insulin resistance in the liver via the activation of numerous signaling pathways. The secretion of hepatokines, hormone-like proteins, primarily by hepatocytes is disturbed and impairs signaling pathways, causing metabolic dysregulation in the liver. ER stress and unfolded protein response play significant roles in insulin resistance aggravation through the activation of apoptosis, inflammatory response, and insulin signaling impairment mediated via IRE1/PERK/ATF6 signaling pathways and the upregulation of SREBP 1c. Circadian rhythm derangement and biological clock desynchronization are related to metabolic disorders, insulin resistance, and NAFLD, suggesting clock genes as a potential target for new therapeutic strategies. This review aims to summarize the mechanisms of hepatic insulin resistance involved in NAFLD development and progression.

Shortened Daily Photoperiod Alleviates Anxiety-like Behaviour by Antioxidant Effect and Changes Serum Fatty Acid Profile in Diabetic Rats.

The aim of our study was to investigate the effects of a shortened daily photoperiod on anxiety-like behaviour, brain oxidative stress, lipid status and fatty acid composition of serum lipids in a streptozotocin (STZ)-induced model of diabetes mellitus in rats. Male Wistar rats were divided into the following groups: first group-control group (C12/12); second group-diabetic group (DM12/12; 100 mg/kg STZ); third group-control group exposed to a light/dark cycle 6/18 h (C6/18); fourth group-diabetic group exposed to a light/dark cycle 6/18 h (DM6/18). Anxiety-like behaviour was tested three weeks following STZ injection by elevated plus maze (EPM) and open-field test (OFT). Oxidative stress parameters were measured in the cortex, hippocampus and thalamus, while lipid status and fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) were measured in the serum. Both EPM and OFT showed a lower degree of anxiety-like behaviour in the DM6/18 vs. DM12/12 group. Lipid peroxidation in the cortex, hippocampus and thalamus was significantly lower in the DM6/18 vs. DM12/12 group (p < 0.05), associated with an increased level of antioxidant enzymes and protein thiols in the cortex and thalamus. In the DM6/18 group, oleic, vaccenic, dihomo-γ-linolenic and docosahexaenoic acid concentrations were significantly higher in comparison to the DM12/12 group. A shortened daily photoperiod alleviates anxiety-like behaviour in diabetic rats by reduced lipid peroxidation and changes in the serum fatty acids profile.

Chronic Prostatitis/Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome Induces Depression-Like Behavior and Learning-Memory Impairment: A Possible Link with Decreased Hippocampal Neurogenesis and Astrocyte Activation.

Pathogenesis of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) remains unclear since it represents an interplay between immunological, endocrine, and neuropsychiatric factors. Patients suffering from CP/CPPS often develop mental health-related disorders such as anxiety, depression, or cognitive impairment. The aim of this study was to investigate depression-like behavior, learning, and memory processes in a rat model of CP/CPPS and to determine the alterations in hippocampal structure and function. Adult male Wistar albino rats (n = 6 in each group) from CP/CPPS (single intraprostatic injection of 3% λ-carrageenan, day 0) and Sham (0.9% NaCl) groups were subjected to pain threshold test (days 2, 3, and 7), depression-like behavior, and learning-memory tests (both on day 7). Decreased pain threshold in the scrotal region and histopathological presence of necrosis and inflammatory infiltrate in prostatic tissue confirmed the development of CP/CPPS. The forced swimming test revealed the depression-like behavior evident through increased floating time, while the modified elevated plus maze test revealed learning and memory impairment through prolonged transfer latency in the CP/CPPS group in comparison with Sham (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively). Biochemical analysis showed decreased serum levels of testosterone in CP/CPPS group vs. the Sham (p < 0.001). The CP/CPPS induced a significant upregulation of ICAM-1 in rat cortex (p < 0.05) and thalamus (p < 0.01) and increased GFAP expression in the hippocampal astrocytes (p < 0.01) vs. Sham, suggesting subsequent neuroinflammation and astrocytosis. Moreover, a significantly decreased number of DCX+ and Ki67+ neurons in the hippocampus was observed in the CP/CPPS group (p < 0.05) vs. Sham, indicating decreased neurogenesis and neuronal proliferation. Taken together, our data indicates that CP/CPPS induces depression-like behavior and cognitive declines that are at least partly mediated by neuroinflammation and decreased neurogenesis accompanied by astrocyte activation.

Anxiogenic Potential of Experimental Sleep Fragmentation Is Duration-Dependent and Mediated via Oxidative Stress State.

Sleep architecture alterations, among which sleep fragmentation is highly prevalent, represent risk factors for a variety of diseases, ranging from cardiovascular to brain disorders, including anxiety. What mediates anxiety occurrence upon sleep fragmentation is still a matter of debate. We hypothesized that the sleep fragmentation effects on anxiety are dependent on its duration and mediated by increased oxidative stress and alterations in the number of parvalbumin (PV+) interneurons in the hippocampus. Sleep was fragmented in rats by the treadmill method during a period of 14 days (SF group). Rats with undisturbed sleep in the treadmill (TC group) and those receiving equal amounts of treadmill belt motion (EC group) served as controls. To assess anxiety, we subjected rats to the open field, elevated plus maze, and light-dark tests on the 0, 7th, and 14th day. Upon the last test, brain structures were sampled for oxidative stress assessment and PV+ interneuron immunohistochemistry. The results of ethological tests of anxiety-linked behavior suggested duration-dependent anxiogenic potential of sleep fragmentation. Rats' anxiety-linked behavior upon sleep fragmentation significantly correlated with oxidative stress. The rats with fragmented sleep (SF) showed significantly higher oxidative stress in the hippocampus, thalamus, and cortex, compared to controls (TC and EC), while the antioxidant enzymes' activity was significantly decreased. No significant differences were observed in hippocampal PV+ interneurons among these groups. Our results showed that duration of sleep fragmentation is a significant determinant of anxiety-linked behavior, and these effects are mediated through oxidative distress in the brain. Herein, it is revealed that the sleep fragmentation-oxidative stress-anxiety axis contributes to our better understanding of pathophysiological processes, occurring due to disrupted sleep patterns.

The interplay between metabolic dysregulations and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in women after menopause.

The hypoestrogenic period after menopause and associated metabolic imbalance might facilitate the onset of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and its progression. The prevalence of NAFLD increases in patients experiencing premature ovarian insufficiency, as well as surgical or natural menopause. The postmenopausal period is characterized by dyslipidemia and insulin resistance associated with an increased influx of free fatty acids to the liver with consequent steatosis and further progression of NAFLD. More than half of postmenopausal women with diabetes mellitus type 2 suffer from NAFLD. It is suggested that estrogens slow the progression of chronic liver diseases by suppression of inflammation, improvement of mitochondrial function, alleviation of oxidative stress, insulin resistance, and fibrogenesis. The hyperandrogenic state of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is associated with the development of NAFLD in women of reproductive age, but it is difficult to extend these findings to menopause due to inappropriate diagnosis of PCOS after menopause. Lifestyle intervention, including physical activity and dietary regimens, remains the first-line preventive and therapeutic option for NAFLD. There are contradictory reports on the use of menopausal hormonal therapy (MHT) and NAFLD. It is necessary to investigate the potential effects of estradiol dose, progesterone type, selective estrogen receptor modulators and tissue-selective estrogen complex compounds on NAFLD development and progression in postmenopausal women. The present review aims to explore the pathophysiological and clinical aspects of liver metabolic disturbances in women after menopause, focusing on the possible preventive and therapeutic strategies in NAFLD, including the potential role of MHT.

Experimental chronic sleep fragmentation alters seizure susceptibility and brain levels of interleukins 1ß and 6.

Brain hyperexcitability in sleep apnea is believed to be provoked by hypoxemia, but sleep fragmentation can also play a significant role. Sleep fragmentation can trigger inflammatory mechanisms. The aim of this research was to investigate the effects of chronic sleep fragmentation on seizure susceptibility and brain cytokine profile. Chronic sleep fragmentation in male rats with implanted EEG electrodes was achieved by the treadmill method. Rats were randomized to: treadmill control (TC); activity control (AC) and sleep fragmentation (SF) group. Convulsive behavior was assessed 14 days later by seizure incidence, latency time and seizure severity during 30 min following lindane administration. The number and duration of EEG ictal periods were determined. Levels of IL-1ß and IL-6 were measured in the animals' serum and brain structures (hippocampus, thalamus and cerebral cortex), in separate rat cohort that underwent the same fragmentation protocol except lindane administration. Incidence and severity of seizures were significantly increased, while latency was significantly decreased in SF+L compared with TC+L group. Seizure latency was also significantly decreased in SF+L compared to AC+L group. The number and duration of ictal periods were increased in the SF+L compared to the AC+L group. IL-1ß was significantly increased in the thalamus, cortex and hippocampus in the SF compared to the AC and TC groups. IL-6 was statistically higher only in the cortex of SF animals, while in the thalamic or hippocampal tissue, no difference was observed between the groups. It could be concluded that fourteen-day sleep fragmentation increases seizure susceptibility in rats and modulates brain production of IL-1ß and IL-6.Brain hyperexcitability in sleep apnea is believed to be provoked by hypoxemia, but sleep fragmentation can also play a significant role. Sleep fragmentation can trigger inflammatory mechanisms. The aim of this research was to investigate the effects of chronic sleep fragmentation on seizure susceptibility and brain cytokine profile. Chronic sleep fragmentation in male rats with implanted EEG electrodes was achieved by the treadmill method. Rats were randomized to: treadmill control (TC); activity control (AC) and sleep fragmentation (SF) group. Convulsive behavior was assessed 14 days later by seizure incidence, latency time and seizure severity during 30 min following lindane administration. The number and duration of EEG ictal periods were determined. Levels of IL-1ß and IL-6 were measured in the animals' serum and brain structures (hippocampus, thalamus and cerebral cortex), in separate rat cohort that underwent the same fragmentation protocol except lindane administration. Incidence and severity of seizures were significantly increased, while latency was significantly decreased in SF+L compared with TC+L group. Seizure latency was also significantly decreased in SF+L compared to AC+L group. The number and duration of ictal periods were increased in the SF+L compared to the AC+L group. IL-1ß was significantly increased in the thalamus, cortex and hippocampus in the SF compared to the AC and TC groups. IL-6 was statistically higher only in the cortex of SF animals, while in the thalamic or hippocampal tissue, no difference was observed between the groups. It could be concluded that fourteen-day sleep fragmentation increases seizure susceptibility in rats and modulates brain production of IL-1ß and IL-6.

Experimental Chronic Prostatitis/Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome Increases Anxiety-Like Behavior: The Role of Brain Oxidative Stress, Serum Corticosterone, and Hippocampal Parvalbumin-Positive Interneurons.

Mechanisms of the brain-related comorbidities in chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) are still largely unknown, although CP/CPPS is one of the major urological problems in middle-aged men, while these neuropsychological incapacities considerably diminish life quality. The objectives of this study were to assess behavioral patterns in rats with CP/CPPS and to determine whether these patterns depend on alterations in the brain oxidative stress, corticosterone, and hippocampal parvalbumin-positive (PV+) interneurons. Adult male Wistar albino rats from CP/CPPS (intraprostatic injection of 3% λ-carrageenan, day 0) and sham (0.9% NaCl) groups were subjected to pain and anxiety-like behavior tests (days 2, 3, and 7). Afterwards, rats were sacrificed and biochemical and immunohistochemical analyses were performed. Scrotal allodynia and prostatitis were proven in CP/CPPS, but not in sham rats. Ethological tests (open field, elevated plus maze, and light/dark tests) revealed significantly increased anxiety-like behavior in rats with CP/CPPS comparing to their sham-operated mates starting from day 3, and there were significant intercorrelations among parameters of these tests. Increased oxidative stress in the hippocampus, thalamus, and cerebral cortex, as well as increased serum corticosterone levels and decreased number of hippocampal PV+ neurons, was shown in CP/CPPS rats, compared to sham rats. Increased anxiety-like behavior in CP/CPPS rats was significantly correlated with these brain biochemical and hippocampal immunohistochemical alterations. Therefore, the potential mechanisms of observed behavioral alterations in CP/CPPS rats could be the result of an interplay between increased brain oxidative stress, elevated serum corticosterone level, and loss of hippocampal PV+ interneurons.

Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Contemporary Clinical Approach.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a frequent endocrine disease in women during the reproductive period. It is considered a complex metabolic disorder with long-term metabolic, as well as reproductive consequences. Main pathophysiological pathways are related to the increased androgen levels and insulin resistance. Nowadays, genetic origins of PCOS are acknowledged, with numerous genes involved in the pathogenesis of hyperandrogenemia, insulin resistance, inflammation, and disturbed folliculogenesis. Rotterdam diagnostic criteria are most widely accepted and four PCOS phenotypes have been recognized. Metabolic abnormalities are more common in phenotypes 1 and 2. Women with classic PCOS are more obese and typically have the central type of obesity, more prevalently displaying dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, and metabolic syndrome that could be associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular complications during life. Heterogeneity of phenotypes demands an individualized approach in the treatment of women with PCOS. Metabolic therapies involve a lifestyle intervention followed by the introduction of insulin sensitizers including metformin and inositols, glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RA), as recently sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors. The addition of an insulin sensitizer to the standard infertility therapy such as clomiphene citrate improves ovulation and pregnancy rates. Our current review analyzes the contemporary knowledge of PCOS etiology and etiopathogenesis, its cardiometabolic risks and their outcomes, as well as therapeutic advances for women with PCOS.

Alterations of medial prefrontal cortex bioelectrical activity in experimental model of isoprenaline-induced myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: Clinical and animal studies have found that anxiety and depression are significantly more common after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). The medial prefrontal cortex (PFC) has a dual role: in higher brain functions and in cardiovascular control, making it a logical candidate for explaining the perceived bidirectional heart-brain connection. We used parallel Electrocardiography (ECG) and Electrocorticography (ECoG) registration to investigate AMI-induced changes in medial PFC bioelectrical activity in a rat model of AMI. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Adult male Wistar albino rats were used in the study. Gold-plated recording electrodes were implanted over the frontal cortex for ECoG recording. ECG was recorded via two holter electrodes attached on the skin of the back fixed in place by a jacket. Induction of AMI was performed by isoprenaline (150 mg/kg, i.p.). ECoG and ECG signals were registered at baseline, during 3 hours after isoprenaline administration and at 24 hours after isoprenaline administration. RESULTS: Significant increases of theta, alpha, and beta electroencephalographic (EEG) band power were observed in different time intervals after isoprenaline administration. Significant increase of theta band peak frequency was also observed during the first hour after isoprenaline administration. No statistically significant differences in band-power activity were found between the pre-isoprenaline measurements and 24 hours after administration. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate significant increases in EEG band power of alpha beta and theta bands during isoprenaline-induced AMI model. These are the first findings to connect heart damage during isoprenaline- induced AMI to disturbances in the cortical bioelectrical activity.

Hypertension in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: Novel Insights.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disease in women during reproductive age. It was shown that PCOS women are with high risk for dyslipidemia, glucose intolerance, type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome. These factors are considered to represent traditional risk factors for the occurrence of cardiovascular disease. Observed increased risk for hypertension in PCOS women seems to be associated with insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia. Both conditions interfere with the endothelium-dependent vasodilatation mechanisms causing vascular muscle wall hypertrophy. Obesity and insulin resistance are considered key factors for the alteration of blood pressure in PCOS women. Higher cardiovascular risk is implicated in PCOS with aging and its consequent association with both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. The elements of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) have an impact on endothelial dysfunction as a marker of cardiovascular damage that could be modified is women with PCOS. Androgens and components of RAAS are involved in the process of atherogenesis in PCOS women. Therefore, it is hypothesized that spironolactone treatment could ameliorate endothelial dysfunction in PCOS women. Recently it was shown that telmisartan, angiotensin II receptor antagonist poses insulinsensitizing capacity to activate PPAR gamma and mediate favorable metabolic and reproductive effects in hypertensive PCOS women.

Effects of high-intensity interval training and nutrition advice on cardiometabolic markers and aerobic fitness in adolescent girls with obesity.

The aim of the study was to compare the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and nutrition advice on cardiometabolic biomarkers, hormonal parameters, and cardiorespiratory fitness in adolescent girls with obesity. Adolescent girls with obesity (n = 44, aged 13-19 years) were randomized into a 12-week intervention as follows: (i) dietary advice and HIIT (n = 22), and (ii) dietary advice only (n = 22). The concentration of biomarkers of inflammation, biochemical and hormonal testing, oral glucose tolerance test, cardiorespiratory fitness, physical activity levels, and nutrition were assessed. After a 3-month intervention, the diet+HIIT group significantly increased insulin sensitivity index (-0.34 ± 1.52 vs. 1.05 ± 3.21; p = 0.001) and work load (0.6 ± 11.3 W vs. 14.6 ± 20.2 W; p = 0.024) and decreased glucose area under the curve (-0.29 ± 4.69 vs. -0.98 ± 4.06; p = 0.040), insulin area under the curve (-9.65 ± 117.9 vs. -98.7 ± 201.8; p = 0.003), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) (0.12 ± 1.92 mg/L vs. -1.47 ± 3.67 mg/L; p = 0.039) in comparison with the diet group. Regarding within-group changes, both groups had significant improvements in body mass index (BMI), BMI-standard deviation score, body fat percentage, and systolic blood pressure. Positive impact on waist circumference, waist circumference/height ratio, diastolic blood pressure, hs-CRP, work load, maximal heart rate, and resting heart rate was observed only after the diet+HIIT intervention. No significant change was noted in peak oxygen uptake, lipid profile, and hormonal parameters between groups after intervention. Novelty HIIT and nutrition advice increased insulin sensitivity and decreased BMI, body fat, systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure. Nutrition advice decreased BMI, body fat, and systolic blood pressure in adolescent girls with obesity.

Short-term sleep fragmentation enhances anxiety-related behavior: The role of hormonal alterations.

INTRODUCTION: The neuroendocrine background of acute sleep fragmentation in obstructive sleep apnea and sleep fragmentation involvement in psychiatric comorbidities, common in these patients, are still largely unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of short-term experimental sleep fragmentation on anxiety -like behavior and hormonal status in rats. METHODS: Male rats were adapted to treadmill (ON and OFF mode with belt speed set on 0.02m/s and 0.00m/s) and randomized to: 1) treadmill control (TC, only OFF mode); 2) motion, activity control (AC, 10min ON and 30min OFF mode) and 3) sleep fragmentation (SF, 30s ON and 90s OFF mode) group. Six hours later, the animals were tested in the open field, elevated plus maze and light/dark test (n = 8/group). Testosterone, estradiol, progesterone and corticosterone were determined in separate animal cohort immediately upon sleep fragmentation (n = 6/group). RESULTS: SF rats showed decreased rearings number, decreased time spent in the central area and increased thigmotaxic index compared to TC and AC rats in the open field test. Similarly, increased anxiety upon sleep fragmentation was observed in the elevated plus maze and the light/dark test. Significantly lower testosterone, estradiol and progesterone levels were determined in SF in comparison to AC and TC groups, while there was no significant difference in the levels of corticosterone. CONCLUSION: Short term sleep fragmentation enhances anxiety-related behavior in rats, which could be partly mediated by the observed hormonal changes presented in the current study in form of testosterone, estradiol and progesterone depletion.

Prenatal Androgenization Induces Anxiety-Like Behavior in Female Rats, Associated with Reduction of Inhibitory Interneurons and Increased BDNF in Hippocampus and Cortex.

Anxiety is one of the most frequent psychiatric disorders. Despite the fact that most studies describe an anxiolytic effect of testosterone, hyperandrogenemia in mothers is assumed to be related to an increased risk of mood disorders in their offspring. An increasing body of scientific evidence suggests that an altered expression of interneuronal markers of the hippocampus may be the cause of anxiety. The aim of this study was to examine the influence of maternal hyperandrogenemia on behavioral parameters of anxiety-like behavior, neuropeptide Y (NPY) and parvalbumin (PV) expression in the hippocampus, and the level of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex. Pregnant female Wistar albino rats were treated with testosterone undecanoate on the 20th day of gestation. Anxiety-like behavior in adult female offspring was evaluated by the elevated plus maze test and the open field. The number of PV and NPY immunoreactive cells in the hippocampus was determined immunohistochemically. The level of BDNF expression in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex was analyzed with the Western blot test. Prenatal hyperandrogenization increased anxiety-like behavior in female offspring and decreased expression of NPY+ and PV+ in the CA1 region of the hippocampus as compared to the control group. BDNF expression in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex of prenatally androgenized female offspring was significantly increased in comparison with the controls. Prenatal hyperandrogenization may be the cause of anxiety-like behavior in female offspring. Decrease in NPY and PV expression in the hippocampus may explain the possible mechanism of hyperandrogenization induced anxiety.

Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome increases susceptibility to seizures in rats and alters brain levels of IL-1ß and IL-6.

Chronic Prostatitis/Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome (CP/CPPS) is a result of interplay between psychological, immune, neurological and genetic factors, manifested by variety of urological, as well as brain-related symptoms. However, its relation with brain excitability has not been addressed. herefore, our aim was to assess susceptibility to seizures in rats with CP/CPPS. We induced CP/CPPS in adult rats by intraprostatic injection of 3% λ-carrageenan. Sham operated rats served as controls (0.9% NaCl, Sham). On day 7 upon injection, rats were treated with lindane (4 mg/kg) and observed for convulsive behavior (seizure incidence, latency and severity) and EEG manifestations (number and duration of ictal periods). Interleukin levels (IL-1ß and IL-6) were measured in prostate, hippocampus, thalamus and cerebral cortex. Scrotal skin mechanical pain thresholds were determined and prostates were histologically evaluated. Animals with CP/CPPS showed significantly higher incidence, decreased latency time and augmented severity of lindane-induced seizures compared with Sham group. EEG revealed increased number of ictal periods in CP/CPPS rats. Higher levels of IL-1ß and IL-6 were determined in the thalamus and cortex in CP/CPPS animals vs. Sham. IL-1ß level was higher and IL-6 was lower in prostates from CP/CPPS animals comparing to Sham. CP/CPPS development was verified by histological findings of nonbacterial inflammation in the prostates, as well as by significantly decreased scrotal pain threshold in CP/CPPS animals. On the basis of this research, we concluded that CP/CPPS increases susceptibility to lindane-induced seizures in rats associated with increased level of IL-1ß and IL-6 in the cortex and thalamus.

Health-related quality of life questionnaire for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOSQ-50): a psychometric study with the Serbian version.

This study aimed to analyze the measurement properties of the Health-related quality of life questionnaire for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOSQ-50) in a sample of Serbian women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Seventy-six women with PCOS from an endocrinology clinic and 28 healthy women participated between October 2016 and March 2017. The measure was rigorously translated and culturally adapted into Serbian. Psychometric evaluation included descriptive analysis, internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha coefficient), test-retest reliability (intraclass-correlation coefficient - ICC) and construct validity testing. Cronbach's alpha coefficient ranged from 0.67 to 0.96 for domain scales of PCOSQ-50 scores, while the ICCs for test-retest reliability for these domains ranged from 0.66 to 0.89. Women with PCOS had significantly lower scores than healthy women for hirsutism, obesity and menstrual disorders and the total PCOSQ-50 scale score (p ≤ 0.03), but not for the psychosocial and emotional, fertility, sexual function, and coping scales. These results show that the Serbian PCOSQ-50 measure is acceptable and could produce reliable and valid assessments of PCOS-related quality of life for at least four out of seven domains. Considering that validity testing is an iterative process, additional work is needed before the whole measure is used in routine clinical practice.

The effects of dietary methionine restriction on the function and metabolic reprogramming in the liver and brain - implications for longevity.

Methionine is an essential sulphur-containing amino acid involved in protein synthesis, regulation of protein function and methylation reactions. Dietary methionine restriction (0.12-0.17% methionine in food) extends the life span of various animal species and delays the onset of aging-associated diseases and cancers. In the liver, methionine restriction attenuates steatosis and delays the development of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis due to antioxidative action and metabolic reprogramming. The limited intake of methionine stimulates the fatty acid oxidation in the liver and the export of lipoproteins as well as inhibits de novo lipogenesis. These effects are mediated by various signaling pathways and effector molecules, including sirtuins, growth hormone/insulin-like growth factor-1 axis, sterol regulatory element binding proteins, adenosine monophosphate-dependent kinase and general control nonderepressible 2 pathway. Additionally, methionine restriction stimulates the synthesis of fibroblast growth factor-21 in the liver, which increases the insulin sensitivity of peripheral tissues. In the brain, methionine restriction delays the onset of neurodegenerative diseases and increases the resistance to various forms of stress through antioxidative effects and alterations in lipid composition. This review aimed to summarize the morphological, functional and molecular changes in the liver and brain caused by the methionine restriction, with possible implications in the prolongation of maximal life span.

A decade in female reproduction: an endocrine view of the past and into the future.

Over the last decade, huge achievements have been made in the fields of neurophysiology, molecular endocrinology, and biochemistry, as well as in the successful translation of clinical research into diseases into clinical practice. As regards female reproduction, most of the advances made in this area were achieved in gonadal axis regulation, regulation of behavior through sex steroids, reproductive genetics, preservation of ovarian reproductive function, steroid profiling, and metabolic and overall reproductive outcomes. The coming years are expected to bring further understanding of the relationships between nutrition, energy metabolism, and reproductive function and to succeed in identifying new genetic markers linked to adverse metabolic and unfavorable cardiovascular outcomes in women. From our perspective, future research in the field of female reproduction should be directed toward doing research into genetic reproductive abnormalities and neuroendocrine diseases, pathophysiology, long-term health outcomes for oligo/amenorrhea, hyperandrogenism, and ovulatory dysfunction. It is additionally expected that a better understanding will be gained of the endocrinology of the placenta and of pregnancy, the role of the microbiome in female reproduction, the role of insulin sensitizers, anti-obesity and anti-diabetic drugs, and various advances in the prevention of ovarian damage caused by various oncology therapies, while new therapeutic options for the treatment of infertility, including kisspeptin, will be developed.