Impact of out-of-pocket expenses on discontinuation of statin therapy: a cohort study in Finland.

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE: Out-of-pocket expenses of drug therapy may negatively affect adherence. We aimed to analyse 1-year discontinuation rates between cohorts initiating therapy with either generic simvastatin or non-generic atorvastatin. METHODS: Statin-naìve initiators of atorvastatin and generic simvastatin in April-June 2003, and corresponding cohorts in 2005, were identified through the nationwide Finnish prescription register. Persistence with statin therapy was followed for 365 days, considering the treatment to have been discontinued when the tablet-free gap between two consecutive refills exceeded 90 days. Using multivariate-adjusted logistic regression, odds ratios (OR) for discontinuation associated with initiating with simvastatin vs. atorvastatin were estimated separately for each year. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: In the year 2003, 5838 persons initiated treatment with atorvastatin and 5644 with generic simvastatin. In the year 2005, the respective numbers were 5228 and 10 987. Soon after the introduction of generic substitution in 2003, there was no difference in the risk of discontinuation between the comparator groups [OR 0·97, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0·89-1·05]. Two years later, persons initiating with generic simvastatin were 20% less likely to discontinue statin therapy (OR 0·80; 95% CI 0·74-0·83). Among persons whose medicinal costs were almost completely reimbursed towards the end of the initiation year, the OR was 1·14 (95% CI 0·76-1·64, P = 0·033 for interaction). WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSIONS: We found that lower out-of-pocket expenses associated with the initiating statin had a positive impact on persistence with therapy. The finding does not seem to apply to persons with minor copayments towards the end of the initiation year.

Potential CYP2C9-mediated drug-drug interactions in hospitalized type 2 diabetes mellitus patients treated with the sulphonylureas glibenclamide, glimepiride or glipizide.

OBJECTIVES: Sulphonylureas are widely used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Based on laboratory findings, we determined the clinical significance of potential CYP2C9-mediated drug-drug interactions in hospitalized patients receiving glibenclamide, glimepiride or glipizide, all of which are metabolized by CYP2C9, together with a CYP2C9 inhibitor. DESIGN, SETTING AND SUBJECTS: An observational pharmaco-epidemiological database study was performed in a university hospital setting with 3884 patients with T2DM. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Efficacy and safety of sulphonylurea therapy during the potential interaction (sulphonylurea treatment with a CYP2C9 inhibitor) vs. control periods (sulphonylurea treatment without a CYP2C9 inhibitor) were estimated using laboratory parameters. RESULTS: Almost 20% of patients were exposed to a potential drug-drug interaction with a CYP2C9 inhibitor during sulphonylurea treatment. More than 75% of the potential interactions occurred with trimethoprim, metronidazole and fluconazole. When all sulphonylureas were pooled and adjusted for age, gender, ward and sulphonylurea dose, mean and maximum fasting plasma glucose concentrations as well as maximum values of glycosylated haemoglobin were significantly lower during the interaction periods compared with control periods, whereas mean and minimum activities of alanine amino transferase and gamma-glutamyl transferase were higher. The minimum fasting plasma glucose values were more often below the target range in patients with potential interactions. The sulphonylurea dose did not differ significantly between patients who were or were not concomitantly treated with a potentially interacting drug. CONCLUSIONS: Concomitant use of a CYP2C9 inhibitor results in exaggerated pharmacodynamic effects of sulphonylureas and increases the risk of hypoglycaemia in T2DM patients receiving glibenclamide, glimepiride or glipizide.

Serum amyloid A is independently associated with metabolic risk factors but not with early atherosclerosis: the Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study.

BACKGROUND: Serum amyloid A (SAA) is a sensitive marker of inflammation and its elevation has been implicated in obesity and in cardiovascular disease, yet data on its regulation in young adults or on its role in early atherosclerosis is scarce. We investigated which factors explain the variation in SAA and analysed whether SAA could be associated with preclinical atherosclerosis. METHODS: Serum amyloid A levels were measured in participants of the Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study (n = 2280, n = 1254 women, n = 1026 men). Correlates and determinants of SAA were analysed and the effect of SAA on subclinical atherosclerosis, measured as intima-media thickness (IMT) and carotid artery compliance, was evaluated with risk-factor adjusted models. RESULTS: Serum amyloid A correlated directly and independently of BMI with C-reactive protein (CRP), waist circumference and leptin in both sexes, with total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and ApolipoproteinA1 (ApoA1) in women and with triglycerides, insulin levels and insulin resistance in men. Use of combined oral contraceptives and intrauterine device was also associated with SAA levels. Determinants for SAA included CRP, leptin and ApoA1 in women, and CRP, leptin and HDL cholesterol in men. SAA levels correlated with carotid compliance in both sexes and with IMT in men, yet SAA had no independent effect on IMT or carotid compliance in multivariable analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Serum amyloid A was associated with several metabolic risk factors but was not an independent predictor of IMT or carotid artery compliance. Further longitudinal studies will show whether SAA holds a prognostic value as a risk marker, analogously to CRP.

Obesity, adipokines and asthma.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of asthma and obesity is increasing concomitantly, but many aspects of this link are unclear. Our objective was to examine whether obesity is associated with asthma in three time points of life, and whether immunomodulatory adipokines, leptin and adiponectin are linked to overweight-associated asthma. METHODS: We studied the association between obesity and asthma at ages 3-18 years [mean (SD), 10 years (5), n = 3582, year 1980], 9-24 years [16 years (5), n = 2764, 1986] and 24-39 years [32 years (5), n = 2620, 2001] in a prospective cohort study and further tested for associations with serum leptin and adiponectin concentrations. Data on allergy status, smoking and other laboratory values (serum insulin, plasma C-reactive protein and serum lipid values) were also analyzed. RESULTS: Allergy and parental asthma were significantly associated with asthma at all ages. At ages 24-39 years, but not earlier, body mass index (BMI) (odds ratio, OR 1.05; P = 0.019) and female gender (OR 1.56; P = 0.031) were independently associated with asthma. Increase in BMI was also associated with incident asthma during adulthood (OR 1.08; P = 0.030). Levels of leptin, adiponectin or any other obesity-related biomarker were not independently associated with asthma. CONCLUSIONS: Asthma is linked with obesity in adults, but our results do not support a significant role for leptin, adiponectin or any other obesity-related biomarker studied in this association. Other factors should be sought for better understanding the connection between obesity and asthma.

Correlation of serum lipids with diabetes control in sulfonylurea-treated diabetic patients.

The relationships between fasting blood glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin A1, and several lipid parameters were studied in 67 non-insulin-dependent diabetic patients (19 men, 48 women) being treated with tolbutamide, chlorpropamide, or glibenclamide. All patients were over 60 yr of age with a mean age of 76.4 +/- 6.7 yr (+/- SD). There were positive associations between fasting blood glucose and serum cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and serum triglycerides. A strong association between total cholesterol and triglycerides was also evident. Diabetes control and HDL cholesterol did not correlate with each other. A weak inverse correlation existed between fasting blood glucose and the HDL cholesterol/total cholesterol ratio. HDL cholesterol concentrations were low in the diet- and drug-treated diabetic patients. No deleterious sulfonylurea effects on cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglyceride concentrations or HDL cholesterol/total cholesterol ratio were noted.

Effect of the benzodiazepine derivative, diazepam, on the clonidine-stimulated human growth hormone secretion.

gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) has both stimulatory and inhibitory effect on human GH secretion. We previously reported that the benzodiazepine derivative diazepam, which exerts its main pharmacological effect by facilitating GABA-mediated transmission, is able to reduce the GH response to L-dopa and apomorphine. To establish whether diazepam affects the alpha-adrenergic regulation of GH secretion, the GH response to clonidine (an alpha-agonist) was investigated in seven volunteers after placebo and diazepam premedications. After placebo pretreatment, clonidine (0.15 mg iv infused over 20 min) significantly stimulated GH secretion: the mean serum GH level rose from a basal level of 4.7 +/- 1.1 (+/- SEM) ng/ml to a maximum of 10.8 +/- 1.6 ng/ml (P less than 0.025). After 3 days of diazepam treatment, a similar GH response to clonidine was observed; the mean serum GH level rose from a basal value of 2.3 +/- 0.3 ng/ml to a maximum of 9.4 +/- 1.3 ng/ml. It is concluded that the inhibitory effect of diazepam on human GH secretion is mediated via inhibition of dopaminergic transmission, whereas the alpha-adrenergic control of GH release is not affected. Since diazepam potentiates GABAergic transmission, its effect may reflect the role of endogenous GABA in human GH secretion.

Serum leptin concentrations in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

The role of gonadotropins, androgens, and insulin in the regulation of circulating leptin levels is obscure. In order to clarify the relationships of these parameters we studied serum leptin levels in 19 healthy control subjects and in 35 hyperandrogenic and hyperinsulinemic patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Serum leptin concentrations did not differ significantly between PCOS patients and control subjects. When PCOS and control groups were analyzed together by univariate analysis, serum leptin was positively correlated with body mass index (BMI), body weight, serum insulin, serum triglyceride, and serum free testosterone concentrations. Serum leptin was inversely correlated with serum sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) concentrations. There were no significant correlations between serum leptin and testosterone, androstenedione, or gonadotropin concentrations. Serum insulin, triglyceride, and free testosterone concentrations were positively correlated, and serum SHBG was negatively correlated with BMI. However, when BMI on one hand and serum insulin, triglyceride, free testosterone, or SHBG on other hand were used as independent variables in the partial correlation analysis with leptin, BMI turned out to be the variable primarily responsible for all of the correlations with leptin. In conclusion, the concept that circulating leptin levels would be different in PCOS patients than in regularly menstruating control subjects is not supported by our data.

Inverse correlation between serum testosterone and leptin in men.

Besides its role in the regulation of energy balance, leptin seems to be involved in linking energy stores to the reproductive system. A gender-dependent difference exists in plasma leptin concentration and leptin messenger ribonucleic acid expression in rodents and humans. This difference does not seem to be explained simply by differences in the amount of body fat between genders. To elucidate the relationship of endogenous testosterone and leptin, we studied the serum leptin concentrations in 269 elderly nondiabetic men. In addition, to assess whether exogenously administered testosterone could influence leptin production, we followed the serum levels of leptin in 10 healthy men during a 12-month treatment with 200 mg testosterone enanthate, i.m., weekly for contraceptive purposes. We found that the serum leptin concentration correlated inversely (r = -0.39; P < 0.001) with that of testosterone in elderly men. This inverse correlation was still present when body mass index and plasma insulin were included in the analysis. The administration of testosterone to young men suppressed serum leptin from the pretreatment level of 3.4 +/- 1.4 to 1.9 +/- 0.6 micrograms/L during the therapy. After cessation of testosterone injections, serum leptin concentration returned back to the pretreatment level. It is concluded that testosterone has a suppressive effect on leptin production, as reflected by circulating levels of this hormone.

Buccal delivery of an alpha 2-adrenergic receptor antagonist, atipamezole, in humans.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the pharmacokinetics, systemic effects and clinical applicability of buccally administered atipamezole in healthy volunteers. METHODS: The study was carried out in two parts. In the first part, spray preparations of atipamezole hydrochloride in water/alcohol (50/50) solution were applied on buccal mucosa of six volunteers. Single doses of 5, 10, 20, and 40 mg atipamezole hydrochloride were administered in ascending order during separate sessions. In the second part, nine subjects received single 20 mg doses as buccal spray, intravenous infusion, or oral solution in randomized order. RESULTS: Values for area under the concentration-time curve for atipamezole (mean +/- SD) ranged from 26 +/- 4 ng x hr/ml after 5 mg to 112 +/- 21 ng x hr/ml after 40 mg and peak concentrations ranged from 11 +/- 3 ng/ml after 5 mg to 38 +/- 9 ng/ml after 40 mg. Individual peak concentrations were mainly measured at 30 and 60 minutes after administration. Mean elimination half-lives were approximately 1 1/2 hours after every treatment. In part two, a mean bioavailability of 33% was calculated for buccal administration (compared with intravenous), whereas systemic availability after an oral dose was < 2%. After intravenous administration the mean total clearance, apparent volume of distribution, and elimination half-life were 1.2 L/hr/kg, 2.9 L/kg, and 1.8 hours, respectively. The intravenous administration of 20 mg atipamezole hydrochloride produced a fivefold elevation in mean plasma norepinephrine concentration, a slight and short-lasting elevation in blood pressure and, in most subjects, increased tension, alertness and restlessness, and sweating. After buccal administration, some subjects reported short-lasting restlessness or tension after the 20 and 40 mg doses. No significant changes in heart rate, blood pressure, or plasma catecholamines were observed. No effects were observed after swallowing of 20 mg atipamezole hydrochloride. The spray caused local reactions at buccal mucosa. Superficial white spots or areas were observed for several hours; these disappeared gradually. Subjects also reported transient numbness at the application site. CONCLUSION: Atipamezole hydrochloride is well absorbed systemically through oral mucosa. The oral bio-availability of atipamezole is negligible, probably because of extensive first-pass metabolism.

Systemic absorption of topically applied ocular atropine.

We quantitated atropine plasma levels and monitored blood pressure, heart rate, and salivary secretion after ocular application. Eight patients received 40 microliters 1% atropine in the lower cul-de-sac of one eye in connection with ocular surgery. Atropine plasma levels were determined for 90 minutes by radioreceptor assay. The peak plasma atropine concentration of 860 +/- 402 pg/ml was reached within 8 minutes in all patients. The ocular absorption of atropine was at least as rapid as that reported for intramuscular administration. Ocular atropine did not affect patients' blood pressure or heart rate when compared with those of the placebo group. Thirty minutes after administration of atropine eyedrops, the salivary secretion in the experimental group was reduced, but was statistically insignificant from the placebo group.

Beta-blocking effects of timolol at low plasma concentrations.

The concentration-effect relationship of 0.25 mg intravenous timolol with and without pretreatment with 100 mg quinidine was studied in six healthy young volunteers with a randomized, double-blind, crossover study design. Blockade of cardiac beta-adrenoceptors was assessed by determining the dose ratios (DR) of isoproterenol infusions required to increase heart rate by 25 beats/min before and after timolol infusion. The logarithm of timolol concentration in plasma was linearly related to the logarithm (DR-1) of isoproterenol infusion, with a mean Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.89 +/- 0.11 (+/- SD; n = 24) at timolol concentrations well below 1 ng/ml. The increases in cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and norepinephrine plasma levels caused by isoproterenol infusions were attenuated after timolol. Quinidine administration increased timolol plasma levels and cardiac beta-blocking effects by 10% to 40%. It was concluded that timolol at concentrations below 1 ng/ml in plasma competitively antagonizes cardiac and noncardiac effects of isoproterenol infusions. Timolol effects are augmented after quinidine administration. The beta-blockade occurring at low plasma levels can explain side effects and actions of ocularly applied timolol.

Cardiac positron emission tomography imaging with [11C]hydroxyephedrine, a specific tracer for sympathetic nerve endings, and its functional correlates in congestive heart failure.

The integrative mechanisms of autonomic dysfunction in congestive heart failure (CHF) remain poorly understood. We sought to study cardiac retention of [11C]hydroxyephedrine (HED), a specific tracer for sympathetic presynaptic innervation, and its functional correlates in CHF. Thirty patients with mild to moderate heart failure underwent resting cardiac HED positron emission tomography imaging, spectrum analysis testing of systolic pressure and heart rate variability in the resting supine and 70 degrees head-up tilt positions, and testing of baroreflex sensitivity. Compared with control subjects, global myocardial HED retention index was reduced by 30% (p <0.01) in patients with CHF. The HED retention index did not correlate significantly with heart rate variability. However, it correlated with baroreflex sensitivity at rest (r = 0.43, p = 0.05) and with systolic pressure low-frequency (0.03 to 0.15 Hz) variability at head-up tilt (r = 0.76, p <0.01), as well as with low-frequency systolic pressure variability response from baseline to tilt (r = 0.75, p <0.01). We conclude that cardiac HED retention is reduced in patients with CHF. This correlates with blunted vascular sympathetic effector responses during posture-induced reflex activation and baroreflex control of heart rate, suggesting an interdependence between cardiac presynaptic innervation abnormalities and neural mechanisms important to blood pressure maintenance in CHF.

Effects of metformin treatment on glucose transporter proteins in subcellular fractions of skeletal muscle in (fa/fa) Zucker rats.

1. The present study was designed to clarify the cellular mechanism through which the antihyperglycaemic drug, metformin, exerts its effects. For this purpose the contents of glucose transporter protein isoforms GLUT1 and GLUT4 were measured in plasma membrane and intracellular membrane fractions of skeletal muscle obtained from genetically obese, insulin-resistant Zucker rats. 2. Hindlimb muscles were dissected from metformin-treated (300 mg kg-1 day-1, p.o., for 12 days) and control rats in basal treatment state, and after acute stimulation with insulin (22 u kg-1, i.p.). Since metformin treatment reduces food intake, we also used a pair-fed control group to investigate the effects of altered insulinaemia per se. Glucose transporter levels were analysed by Western blot and slot blot-techniques. In addition, 2-deoxy-[14C]-glucose uptake in isolated muscle strips was evaluated. 3. No changes were noted in the contents of GLUT1 proteins in any of the subcellular fractions after metformin treatment. The contents of GLUT4 in subcellular fractions were not altered in the basal treatment state. After acute insulin exposure the content of GLUT4 in the intracellular membrane fraction declined significantly in the metformin-treated group, while no significant effect was seen in the plasma membrane fraction. In agreement with these results, metformin treatment did not alter 2-deoxyglucose uptake into isolated muscle strips. 4. In conclusion, the present study does not support the concept that metformin would enhance translocation of glucose transporter proteins from the intracellular compartment to the plasma membrane in skeletal muscle in vivo.

Potentiation of the anti-obesity effect of the selective beta 3-adrenoceptor agonist BRL 35135 in obese Zucker rats by exercise.

UNLABELLED: 1. The effects of chronic treatments with a selective beta 3-adrenoceptor agonist and a selective alpha 2-adrenoceptor antagonist and their interactions with physical exercise training were studied in experimental obesity. 2. BRL 35135 (beta 3-agonist, 0.5 mg kg-1 day-1 p.o.), atipamezole (alpha 2-antagonist, 4.0 mg kg-1 day-1 p.o.) and placebo were given to genetically obese male Zucker rats. Half of the rats were kept sedentary whereas the other half were subjected to moderate treadmill exercise training. Body weight gain, cumulative food intake, the neuropeptide Y content of the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus, brown adipose tissue thermogenic activity (measured as GDP binding), plasma insulin and glucose levels were measured after 3 weeks' treatment and exercise. 3. Treatment with BRL 35135 reduced weight gain by 19%, increased brown adipose tissue thermogenic activity 45-fold and reduced plasma insulin by 50%. Atipamezole slightly increased food intake and neuropeptide Y content in the paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus but had no effect on the other measured parameters. Exercise alone had no effect on weight gain, food intake or thermogenic activity, whereas it reduced plasma insulin and glucose levels. 4. The effect of BRL 35135 on weight gain and thermogenic activity was significantly potentiated by exercise; the reduction in weight gain was 56% in comparison with 19% in sedentary animals. Food intake was significantly reduced in the BRL 35135-treated-exercise-trained animals, although neither beta 3-agonist nor exercise alone affected it. 5. Based on the present results in genetically obese Zucker rats, combination of 03-agonist treatment with a moderate physical training may offer a new feasible approach to the therapy of obesity.- KEYWORDS: BRL 35135; atipamezole; P3-adrenoceptor agonism; M2-adrenoceptor antagonism; brown adipose tissue; thermogenesis;genetic obesity; Zucker rat; exercise; neuropeptide Y

The glucocorticoid antagonist mifepristone reveals abnormal regulation of the adrenocortical system in obese Zucker rats.

The effects of the potent glucocorticoid type-II receptor (GR) antagonist, mifepristone, on corticosterone secretion and on expression of preprocorticotrophin-releasing factor (preproCRF) mRNA in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) and of pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) mRNA in the pituitary gland were investigated in lean and obese Zucker rats. Treatment with mifepristone for 4 days (10 mg/kg orally twice daily) significantly (P less than 0.05) stimulated corticosterone secretion in lean but not in obese rats. In lean rats the enhanced corticosterone secretion was associated with non-significant increments in the expression of preproCRF mRNA in the PVN and of POMC mRNA in the pituitary gland, while mifepristone significantly (P less than 0.05) reduced the expression of preproCRF mRNA in the PVN of obese Zucker rats. It is concluded that antagonism of GR by mifepristone results in persistent activation of the adrenocortical axis in lean Zucker rats due to blockade of feedback inhibition by circulating corticosterone. In obese animals the abnormal response to mifepristone suggests that the neuroendocrine control of the HPA axis is altered in genetically determined obesity.

Correlation between circulating leptin and luteinizing hormone during the menstrual cycle in normal-weight women.

OBJECTIVE: Leptin is the hormonal product of the ob gene. It is expressed in adipocytes and participates in the regulation of food intake and metabolism. Since leptin also seems to signal metabolic information to the reproductive system, we studied the association between reproductive hormones and plasma leptin in normal-weight young women. DESIGN: Eight young women with normal menstrual cycles (body mass index (BMI) 21.2 +/- 1.6 kg/m2) and eight young women using hormonal contraception (BMI 21.4 +/- 1.1 kg/m2) were studied. Furthermore, six women with normal menstrual cycles and no hormonal therapy (BMI 20.7 +/- 1.2 kg/m2) were studied around the time of the anticipated ovulation. METHODS: Serum leptin, estradiol, progesterone and luteinizing hormone (LH) concentrations were measured with radioimmunoassays. RESULTS: Serum leptin concentrations were similar at the beginning of the cycle, at the time of the anticipated ovulation and at the end of the menstrual cycle (10.2 +/- 7.1, 10.7 +/- 7.0 and 11.8 +/- 6.9 microg/l respectively). There was an association between leptin and LH concentrations (r= 0.37, P< 0.01) when values recorded during different time points during the cycle were plotted with each other. There was no change in serum leptin in samples taken at different times of the cyclic treatment with an oral contraceptive. There was no significant difference in mean serum leptin concentrations between women using oral contraceptives and women with no hormonal therapy. CONCLUSIONS: There is a link between serum leptin and LH concentrations during the menstrual cycle. Variations in circulating estrogen and/or progesterone concentrations have no major influence on circulating leptin in young female subjects.

Acute inhibition of oestrogen biosynthesis does not affect serum leptin levels in young men.

OBJECTIVE: Leptin plays an important role in the regulation of reproduction. To explore the contribution of oestradiol to serum leptin levels in men, we measured the concentrations of serum leptin and insulin after inhibition of oestrogen biosynthesis by selective blockade of the aromatase enzyme. DESIGN: The study had a double-blind parallel group design. METHODS: The aromatase inhibitor, MPV 2213ad, was given to eight healthy male volunteers as a single dose of 100mg. Eight men received placebo. Serum leptin and insulin were determined from blood samples collected at 0800h, 1600h and 2000h both on the actual test day (day 0) and on the previous day (day -1), and from single blood samples taken in the morning of days 1, 2, 4 and 7. Changes in serum leptin were correlated with those seen in serum oestradiol, testosterone, LH, FSH, cortisol and aldosterone, which were determined earlier. RESULTS: After the aromatase inhibitor administration, mean serum oestradiol concentration was reduced by 74% from the baseline compared with a 19% reduction in the placebo group (P for difference <0.001), and returned to pre-treatment levels within four days. Despite marked changes in serum oestradiol and sustained elevations in serum testosterone, LH and FSH concentrations, serum leptin concentrations were similar in the group receiving the aromatase inhibitor and in the placebo group. We found a weak correlation between serum oestradiol and leptin, which could not be reproduced when the percentage changes in these variables were analysed. CONCLUSION: Marked short-term reduction in serum oestradiol concentration has no effect on serum leptin levels in young men.

Effects of repeated administration of mifepristone and 8-OH-DPAT on expression of preproneuropeptide Y mRNA in the arcuate nucleus of obese Zucker rats.

Neuropeptide Y (NPY) is an important hypothalamic regulator of feeding behavior. In this study we have investigated the regulation of the expression of preproNPY mRNA in male obese and lean Zucker rats by in situ hybridization. These animals represent a model of genetic obesity with hyperphagia, hyperinsulinemia and altered endocrine functions. Obese Zucker rats, treated for 12 days with 0.9% saline, had about 210% higher level of basal preproNPY mRNA expression in the arcuate nucleus when compared to their lean littermate controls. Repeated administrations of 8-hydroxy-dipropylaminotetralin (8-OH-DPAT), a serotonergic 5-HT1A agonist, or mifepristone, a glucocorticoid receptor antagonist, did not modify the basal expression of preproNPY mRNA in the Zucker phenotypes. The 8-OH-DPAT treatment significantly reduced hyperinsulinemia in obese Zucker rats without changing plasma glucose levels. The mifepristone treatment significantly increased plasma corticosterone levels in lean animals, but not in obese animals. The present study demonstrates enhanced expression of preproNPY mRNA in the arcuate nucleus in obese Zucker rats suggesting an involvement of NPY in the pathophysiology of the hyperphagic syndrome and genetically determined obesity in Zucker rats. Neither the antagonism of glucocorticoid receptors by mifepristone, nor repeated treatment with 8-OH-DPAT resulting in reduced insulin levels in obese Zucker rats, modified the basal expression of preproNPY mRNA in the arcuate nucleus.

Hypothalamic neuropeptide expression after food restriction in Zucker rats: evidence of persistent neuropeptide Y gene activation.

The Obese Zucker rat is a model of genetic obesity characterized by hyperphagia, hyperinsulinemia and other endocrine abnormalities. In order to elucidate pathogenetic mechanisms contributing to disturbed feeding behavior in these animals, the effect of food restriction on three hypothalamic neuropeptides involved in the control of food intake was studied. Eighteen male obese and 18 lean Zucker rats were randomly divided into two groups: half of the animals were food-restricted for 2 weeks, while the other half served as controls and were fed ad libitum. The levels of preproneuropeptide Y (preproNPY), preprocorticotropin releasing factor (preproCRF) and preprosomatostatin (preproSOM) mRNAs were determined using in situ hybridization technique. In addition, plasma insulin and corticosterone concentrations were analyzed. Food restriction significantly increased the expression of preproNPY mRNA in the arcuate nucleus in both Zucker phenotypes, while the expressions of preproCRF mRNA in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) and preproSOM mRNA in the periventricular nucleus (PeV) were not altered. The expression of preproNPY mRNA was significantly greater in control obese animals compared to control lean animals. Food restriction lowered plasma insulin levels, but did not change plasma corticosterone levels. It is concluded that food restriction specifically activates NPY gene transcription in the arcuate nucleus the response being similar in both Zucker phenotypes. The results suggest that orexigenic NPY plays a role in the adaptation to altered feeding status.