Role of Spexin in White Adipose Tissue Thermogenesis under Basal and Cold-Stimulated Conditions.

Spexin (SPX) is a novel adipokine that plays an emerging role in metabolic diseases due to its involvement in carbohydrate homeostasis, weight loss, appetite control, and gastrointestinal movement, among others. In obese patients, SPX plasma levels are reduced. Little is known about the relationship between SPX and white adipose tissue (WAT) thermogenesis. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the role of SPX in this process. C57BL/6J male mice were treated or not with SPX for ten days. On day 3, mice were randomly divided into two groups: one kept at room temperature and the other kept at cold temperature (4 °C). Caloric intake and body weight were recorded daily. At the end of the protocol, plasma, abdominal (epididymal), subcutaneous (inguinal), and brown AT (EAT, IAT, and BAT, respectively) depots were collected for measurements. We found that SPX treatment reduced Uncoupling protein 1 levels in WAT under both basal and cold conditions. SPX also reduced cox8b and pgc1α mRNA levels and mitochondrial DNA, principally in IAT. SPX did not modulate the number of beige precursors. SPX decreased spx levels in IAT depots and galr2 in WAT depots. No differences were observed in the BAT depots. In conclusion, we showed, for the first time, that SPX treatment in vivo reduced the thermogenic process in subcutaneous and abdominal AT, being more evident under cold stimulation.

IGF-1 Gene Therapy as a Potentially Useful Therapy for Spontaneous Prolactinomas in Senile Rats.

BACKGROUND: Insulin-like Growth Factor1 (IGF1) is a powerful neuroprotective molecule. We have previously shown that short-term hypothalamic IGF1 gene therapy restores tuberoinfundibular dopaminergic neuron function in aging female rats. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to implement long-term IGF-I gene therapy in pituitary prolactinomas in senile female rats. METHODS: Here, we assessed the long-term effect of IGF1 gene therapy in the hypothalamus of young (4 mo.) and aging (24 mo.) female rats carrying spontaneous pituitary prolactinomas. We constructed and injected a Helper-Dependent (HD) adenovector expressing the gene for rat IGF1 or the reporter red fluorescent protein DsRed. Ninety-one days post vector injection, all rats were sacrificed and their brains and pituitaries fixed. Serum prolactin (PRL), Estrogen (E2) and progesterone (P4), as well as hypothalamic IGF1 content, were measured by RIA. Anterior pituitaries were immunostained with an anti-rat PRL antibody and submitted to morphometric analysis. RESULTS: DsRed expression in the Mediobasal Hypothalamus (MBH) was strong after the treatment in the DsRed group while IGF1 content in the MBH was higher in the IGF1 group. The IGF1 treatment affected neither pituitary weight nor PRL, E2 or P4 serum levels in the young rats. In the old rats, IGF1 gene therapy reduced gland weight as compared with intact counterparts and tended to reduce PRL levels as compared with intact counterparts. The treatment significantly rescued the phenotype of the lactotropic cell population in the senile adenomas. CONCLUSION: We conclude that long-term hypothalamic IGF1 gene therapy is effective to rescue spontaneous prolactinomas in aging female rats.

N-Acetyl-l-Cysteine treatment efficiently prevented pre-diabetes and inflamed-dysmetabolic liver development in hypothalamic obese rats.

AIM: Hypothalamic obese rats are characterized by pre-diabetes, dyslipidemia, hyperadiposity, inflammation and, liver dysmetabolism with oxidative stress (OS), among others. We studied endocrine-metabolic dysfunctions and, liver OS and inflammation in both monosodium l-glutamate (MSG)-neonatally damaged and control litter-mate (C) adult male rats, either chronically treated with N-Acetyl-l-Cysteine since weaned (C-NAC and MSG-NAC) or not. METHODOLOGY: We evaluated circulating TBARS, glucose, insulin, triglycerides, uric acid (UA) and, aspartate and alanine amino-transferase; insulin sensitivity markers (HOMA indexes, Liver Index of Insulin Sensitivity -LISI-) were calculated and liver steps of the insulin-signaling pathway were investigated. Additionally, we monitored liver OS (protein carbonyl groups, GSH and iNOS level) and inflammation-related markers (COX-2 and TNFα protein content; gene expression level of Il1b, Tnfα and Pai-1); and carbohydrate and lipid metabolic functions (glucokinase/fructokinase activities and, mRNA levels of Srebp1c, Fas and Gpat). KEY FINDINGS: Chronic NAC treatment in MSG rats efficiently decreased the high circulating levels of triglycerides, UA, transaminases and TBARS, as well as peripheral (high insulinemia and HOMA indexes) and liver (LISI and the P-AKT:AKT and P-eNOS:eNOS protein ratio values) insulin-resistance. Moreover, NAC therapy in MSG rats prevented liver dysmetabolism by decreasing local levels of OS and inflammation markers. Finally, NAC-treated MSG rats retained normal liver glucokinase and fructokinase activities, and Srebp1c, Fas and Gpat (lipogenic genes) expression levels. SIGNIFICANCE: Our study strongly supports that chronic oral antioxidant therapy (NAC administration) prevented the development of pre-diabetes, dyslipidemia, and inflamed-dysmetabolic liver in hypothalamic obese rats by efficiently decreasing high endogenous OS.

Insulinorresistencia e hipertensión gestacional: Estudio preliminar en una muestra del Municipio de La Plata / Insulin resistance and gestational hypertension: A preliminary study in a small population of La Plata Municipality / Hipertensão gestacional e resistência à insulina: Estudo preliminar numa amostra do Município de La Plata

Las mujeres embarazadas con insulino-sensibilidad disminuida están en riesgo de desarrollar trastornos hipertensivos. Utilizando el corte HOMA-IR en 2,64 la población en estudio fue dividida en dos grupos: (n=154 mujeres embarazadas), las que arrojaron un HOMA-IR basal (HOMA-0) <2,64 (no-insulinorresistentes; n=113) y aquellas con HOMA-0>2,64 (insulinorresistentes, n=41). Se analizaron: a) las concentraciones circulantes de glucosa e insulina durante una prueba de tolerancia oral a 75 g de glucosa (PTOG), y b) las relaciones entre varios parámetros de insulino-sensibilidad y la predicción del desarrollo de trastornos hipertensivos. A las mujeres embarazadas (semana 24-28) se les cuantificaron las concentraciones plasmáticas de glucosa e insulina a ambos tiempos de la PTOG. Se calcularon los valores de HOMA-IR y las relaciones glucosa a insulina (G:I) y se registraron parámetros antropométricos y resultados del embarazo. Las mujeres con HOMA-0 >2,64, aunque con glucemias en ayunas normales, mostraron mayores niveles de insulinemia y de HOMA-IR, y menores valores G:I en ambos tiempos de la PTOG. Estas mujeres embarazadas fueron las que tuvieron un mayor riesgo de desarrollar trastornos hipertensivos y mayores parámetros de morbilidad durante el período estudiado al compararlas con aquellas cuyo HOMA-0 fue <2,64.

Pregnant women with impaired insulin sensitivity are at risk for developing hypertensive disorders. By using a cut-off at 2.64 of the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR) in basal condition (HOMA-0), the population under study (n=154 pregnant women) was split into two groups: 1) with basal HOMA- 0 <2.64 (non-insulin resistant; n=113) and 2) with basal HOMA-0 >2.64 (insulin resistant; n=41). Glucose and insulin circulating levels were analyzed throughout a 2-h oral 75 g glucose tolerance test (OGTT). The relationship between several parameters related to insulin resistance and the prevalence of pregnancy-induced hypertensive disorders was analyzed. Pregnant women (on week 24-28) were submitted to an OGTT, and glucose and insulin plasma concentrations were measured throughout the test. These peripheral metabolites levels and the values of the HOMA-IR and the glucose to insulin ratio (G:I) were analyzed. Anthropometric parameters and pregnancy outcome were recorded. Women with HOMA-0 >2.64 but normal fasting glycemia showed higher insulinemias, G:I values and HOMA-IR values at both times of the OGTT. The latter were at greater risk for developing late pregnancy-induced hypertension compared to women with HOMA-0 ≤2.64.

As mulheres grávidas com diminuição da sensibilidade à insulina correm o risco de desenvolver distúrbios hipertensivos. Usando o corte HOMA-IR 2,64, a população em estudo foi dividida em dois grupos: (n=154 mulheres grávidas), que deram um HOMA-IR basal (HOMA-0) ≤2,64 (não resistentes à insulina; n=113) e aquelas com HOMA-0 >2,64 (resistentes à insulina, n=41). Foram analisadas: a) as concentrações circulantes de glicose e insulina durante uma prova de tolerância oral a 75 g. de glicose (PTOG), e b) as relações entre diversos parâmetros de sensibilidade à insulina e a predição de desenvolver distúrbios de hipertensão. Foram quantificadas nas mulheres grávidas (24-28 semanas) as concentrações plasmáticas de glicose e insulina a ambos os tempos da PTOG. Valores de HOMA-IR foram calculados e as relações glicose a insulina (G:I) e se registraram parâmetros antropométricos e os resultados da gravidez. Mulheres com HOMA-0 >2,64, mas com glicemias em jejuns normais, mostraram níveis mais elevados de insulinemia e de HOMA-IR, e menores valores G:I em ambos os tempos da PTOG. Essas mulheres grávidas foram aquelas que tiveram maior risco de desenvolver distúrbios de hipertensão e maiores parâmetros de morbidade durante o período estudado em comparação com as mulheres cujo HOMA-0 foi ≤2,64.

Rejuvenating Effect of Long-Term Insulin-Like Growth Factor-I Gene Therapy in the Hypothalamus of Aged Rats with Dopaminergic Dysfunction.

The aging female rat constitutes an interesting model of spontaneous and progressive age-related dopaminergic dysfunction as it allows assessing new therapeutic strategies for Parkinson's disease. Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) is emerging as a powerful neuroprotective molecule, strongly induced in the central nervous system after different insults. We constructed a helper-dependent recombinant adenoviral vector (HDRAd-IGFI) harboring the gene for rat IGF-I. This was used to implement long-term IGF-I gene therapy in the hypothalamus of aged female rats, which display hypothalamic dopaminergic (DA) dysfunction and, as a consequence, chronic hyperprolactinemia. Rejuvenating long-term IGF-I gene therapy was implemented in young (3 months) and aged (24 months) female rats, which received a single intrahypothalamic injection of 4 × 109 viral particles of either HD-RAd-IGFI or HD-RAd-DsRed (control vector) and were sacrificed 119 days postinjection. In the young animals, neither vector modified serum prolactin (PRL) levels, but in the RAd-IGFI-injected aged rats a nearly full reversion of their hyperprolactinemic status was recorded. Morphometric analysis revealed a significant increase in the total number of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-positive cells in the hypothalamus of experimental compared with control aged animals (5874 ± 486 and 3390 ± 498, respectively). Our results indicate that IGF-I gene therapy in aged female rats is highly effective in rejuvenating the hypothalamic DA neuron groups.

Diabetes primary prevention program: New insights from data analysis of recruitment period.

BACKGROUND: Primary Prevention of Diabetes Program in Buenos Aires Province evaluates the effectiveness of adopting healthy lifestyle to prevent type 2 diabetes (T2D) in people at high risk of developing it. We aimed to present preliminary data analysis of FINDRISC and laboratory measurements taken during recruitment of people for the Primary Prevention of Diabetes Program in Buenos Aires Province in the cities of La Plata, Berisso, and Ensenada, Argentina. METHODS: People were recruited through population approach (house-to-house survey by FINDRISC in randomized areas) and opportunistic approach (FINDRISC completed by participants during consultations for nonrelated prediabetes/diabetes symptoms in public and private primary care centres of cities involved). In people with FINDRISC score ≥ 13 points, we evaluated blood concentrations of HbA1c , creatinine, lipids, and an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). RESULTS: Approximately 3415 individuals completed the FINDRISC populational survey and 344 the opportunistic survey; 43% of the 2 groups scored over 13 points; 2.8 and 75.4% of them, respectively, took the prescribed OGTT. Approximately 53.7% of the OGTT showed normal values and 5.2% unknown T2D. The remaining cases showed 69.5% impaired fasting glucose, 13.6% impaired glucose tolerance, and 16.9% both impairments. HbA1c values showed significant differences compared with normal glucose tolerance (4.96 ± 0.43%), prediabetes (5.28 ± 0.51%), and T2D (5.60 ± 0.51%). Participants with prediabetes and T2D showed a predominant increase in low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol values. In prediabetes, >50% showed insulin resistance. CONCLUSIONS: People with prediabetes/T2D had dyslipidemia associated with insulin resistance, which promotes the development of T2D and cardiovascular disease. Thus, it merits its appropriate treatment.

La tormentosa relación entre las grasas y el desarrollo de la diabetes mellitus tipo 2: actualizado. Parte 2 / The stormy relationship between fats and the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus: Updated. Part 2

En esta parte de la revisión se describe la relación funcional entre el metabolismo de los lípidos y los hidratos de carbono y su interdependencia, desde el ciclo glucosa-ácido grasos y la hipótesis portal de la insulinorresistencia a los nuevos conocimientos sobre los adipocitos marrones y beiges, con énfasis en el normal funcionamiento de un patrón endocrino cuya disfunción es clave en la fisiopatología de la DMT2 y la obesidad. Se discute la ectopia o el asiento de grasa en el tejido magro por incapacidad del tejido adiposo para seguir acopiando lípidos y la actividad endocrina del adipocito, con la producción de moléculas (adipoquinas) que influyen sobre los mecanismos inductores de insulinorresistencia (leptina, adiponectina, TNF-α, resistina, etc.) y disfunción de la célula beta. Se describen la disminución de la capacidad oxidativa en la cadena respiratoria mitocondrial y el renacer del concepto de lipogénesis de novo, ambas favoreciendo el acopie de lípido intracelular. En tejidos magros existen pequeñas reservas intracelulares de lípidos que mantienen la regulación de funciones esenciales, aunque si aparece una sobrecarga lipídica el fenómeno conduciría a una disfunción (lipotoxicidad) y a la muerte celular (lipoapoptosis). La tormentosa relación entre los lípidos y el islote de Langerhans va más allá del esfuerzo funcional que impone la insulinorresistencia periférica sobre la célula β, por efectos directos de los lípidos o de sus derivados sobre la función del islote pancreático. Sin déficit de insulina no se desarrolla diabetes.

In this part of the review, the functional relationship between lipid and carbohydrate metabolisms and their interdependence is described, from the glucose-fatty acid cycle and the portal hypothesis of insulin resistance to the new knowledge on brown and beige adipocytes, with emphasis on the normal functioning of an endocrine pattern in which its dysfunction is a key factor in the pathophysiology of T2DM and obesity. Ectopic fat deposition in lean tissues due to the inability of the adipose tissue to continuously collect lipids and the endocrine activity of adipocytes is discussed. The production of molecules (adipokines) influencing some of the mechanisms involved in the development of insulin resistance (leptin, adiponectin, TNF-α, resistin, etc.) and beta cell dysfunction is also revisited. The decrease in the oxidative capacity in the mitochondrial respiratory chain and the rebirth of the concept of de novo lipogenesis are described, both effects favouring intracellular lipid accumulation. In lean tissues there are small intracellular lipid reserves that help to maintain the regulation of essential functions; however, when a lipid overload occurs the phenomenon could lead to severe cell dysfunction (lipotoxicity), and death (lipo-apoptosis). The stormy relationship between lipids and the Langerhans' islets goes beyond the functional effort imposed by peripheral insulin-resistance on the β cells, either by the direct effect of lipids or by their derivatives on overall pancreatic islet function. Within a scenario of no insulin deficit, diabetes does not develop.

La tormentosa relación entre las grasas y el desarrollo de la diabetes mellitus de tipo 2: actualizado. Parte 1 / The stormy relationship between fats and the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus: An Update. Part 1

Se describe la relación funcional del metabolismo de las grasas y los hidratos de carbono y su interdependencia, desde los tradicionales conceptos del ciclo glucosa-ácidos grasos (Randle) y la hipótesis portal de la insulinorresistencia hasta los nuevos sobre los adipocitos marrones y beiges, con énfasis en el normal funcionamiento de un patrón endocrino cuya disfunción es clave en la fisiopatología: el eje adipoinsular, vinculado funcionalmente incluso con el hipotálamo, la hipófisis y las adrenales, que involucra 2 hormonas adipogénicas (insulina y glucocorticoide) que facilitarían el desarrollo de la grasa omental perivisceral, con fuertes consecuencias metabólicas. Se discute la ectopia o asiento de grasa en tejido magro por incapacidad del tejido adiposo para seguir atesorando grasas y la actividad endocrina del adipocito, con la producción de moléculas que influyen sobre los mecanismos productores de insulinorresistencia (leptina, adiponectina, TNF-α, resistina, etc.) y disfunción insular. Se describe la disminución de la capacidad oxidativa en la cadena respiratoria mitocondrial y el renacer del concepto de lipogénesis de novo, ambas favorecedoras del atesoramiento de grasas intracelular. En tejidos magros existen pequeñas reservas intracelulares de grasas que mantienen una regulación de funciones esenciales, aunque si aparece una sobrecarga lipídica, el fenómeno conduciría a disfunción (lipotoxicidad) y muerte celular (lipoapoptosis). La tormentosa relación entre las grasas y el islote de Langerhans va más allá del esfuerzo funcional que impone la insulinorresistencia periférica sobre la célula β, por efectos directos de los lípidos o sus derivados sobre la función del islote pancreático. Sin déficit de insulina no hay diabetes.

A review is presented on a functional relationship between fat and carbohydrate metabolism and inter-dependence from the traditional concepts of glucose-fatty acids cycle (Randle), and from the insulin resistance portal hypothesis up to the new aspects on brown and beige adipocytes. Emphasis is placed on the normal function of an endocrine pattern, in which its malfunction is the key in the pathophysiology of these conditions: the adipoinsular axis, with a functional link with the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, which involves 2 adipogenic hormones (insulin and glucocorticoid). This has an influence on the development of omental peri-visceral fat, with severe metabolic consequences. A discussion is also presented on the concept of ectopic fat on non-adipose tissues that results in the incapacity of fatty tissue for storing lipids and the considerations about the endocrine activity of adipocyte producing substances that influence several mechanisms that could result in insulin resistance (leptin, adiponectin, TNF-α, resistin, etc.). New aspects are considered regarding the decrease in the oxidative capacity in the mitochondrial respiratory chain, and the rebirth of the concept of de novo lipogenesis that increases the storing of intra-cellular fat. In non-adipose tissues there are small intra-cellular fat quantities for essential functions, but lipid overloading leads to cell dysfunction (lipo-toxicity) and death (lipo-apoptosis). The stormy relationship between fat and Langerhans' Islets goes beyond the functional effort as consequence of peripheral insulin-resistance and the pancreatic beta cell suffers a direct lipid (or derivatives) functional effect. Without insulin deficiency diabetes does not appear.

Prevención primaria de diabetes tipo 2 en Argentina: estudio piloto en la provincia de Buenos Aires / Primary prevention of type 2 diabetes in Argentina: Pilot study in the province of Buenos Aires

Intervenciones: Sobre estilo de vida, previenen el desarrollo de diabetes tipo 2 (DMT2) en personas con tolerancia a la glucosa o glucemia de ayunas alterada (TGA y GAA, respectivamente), aisladas o combinadas. Objetivo: Evaluar la efectividad de adoptar estilo de vida saludable sobre la manifestación clínica de DMT2 en personas con riesgo de desarrollarla. Metodología: Estudio prospectivo en participantes de 3 municipios de provincia de Buenos Aires (La Plata, Berisso y Ensenada), mediante cuestionario FINDRISC; quienes superen su puntaje de riesgo (≥ 13), realizarán prueba de tolerancia oral a la glucosa. El estudio incluirá a todas las personas con TGA/GAA que deseen participar y firmen un consentimiento informado, distribuidas en 2 grupos: a) intervención autoadministrada, y b) intervención intensificada (talleres de modalidad grupal mensuales sobre plan de alimentación saludable y práctica regular de actividad física 3 veces por semana). Ambos grupos tendrán un seguimiento de 2 años. Se utilizarán cuestionarios para evaluar bienestar, hábitos alimentarios y actividad física de cada participante al inicio del estudio y cada 6 meses durante el seguimiento. En ambos grupos se realizarán individualmente mediciones antropométricas y análisis de laboratorio a los 0, 12 y 24 meses. Igualmente, se evaluará la coste-efectividad de las estrategias implementadas. Resultados y conclusiones: Los resultados del estudio permitirán: a) demostrar la factibilidad y el costo de este tipo de programas: b) identificar genotipos de personas en riesgo facilitando intervenir en ellas precoz y eficientemente; c) definir si estas intervenciones también mejoran otros FRCV presentes; d) cuantificar las lesiones de microangiopatía (microaneurismas retinianos) en población con TGA/GAA, y e) identificar barreras y alianzas estratégicas interdisciplinarias e intersectoriales para la implementación efectiva de este tipo de programas.

Lifestyle interventions: Prevent/delay the development of type 2 diabetes (T2DM) in people with impaired glucose tolerance or impaired fasting blood glucose (IGT and IFG, respectively), alone or combined. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of adopting a healthy lifestyle on the clinical manifestation of T2DM in people at risk of its development. Methodology: A prospective study will be conducted, using the FINDRISC questionnaire, on participants selected from three municipalities of the Province of Buenos Aires (La Plata, Berisso and Ensenada). An oral glucose tolerance test will be performed on those participants who exceed their risk score (≥ 13). The study will include all people with IGT/ IFG who wish to participate and sign an informed consent form. They will be randomly divided into two groups: a) self-administered intervention and b) Intensified Intervention (monthly group sessions on healthy meal plan and weekly sessions of physical activity). Both groups will be followed-up for two years. Questionnaires will be used to assess welfare (WHO-5), eating habits, and physical activity of each participant at baseline and every six months of followup. Individual anthropometric measurements and laboratory analysis will be performed in both groups at 0, 12 and 24 months. The cost-effectiveness of the strategies implemented will also be assessed. Results and conclusions: The results of the study will allow to: a) demonstrate the feasibility and cost of such programs, b) identify genotypes of people at risk that would facilitate early implementation of effective prevention strategies; c) define whether these interventions would also improve other associated cardiovascular risk factors, d) Identify and quantify microangiopathy lesions (retinal micro-aneurysms) in a population with IGT/IFG, and e) identify barriers and interdisciplinary strategic alliances for effective implementation of such programs.

Neonatal androgenization-induced early endocrine-metabolic and ovary misprogramming in the female rat.

AIM: Androgen excess predisposes the organism to develop metabolic-endocrine and reproductive dysfunctions, among them the development of a phenotype resembling that of human Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS). METHODS: We analyzed the impact of a single neonatal (5day-old) testosterone propionate (TP; s.c. 1.25mg/female pup) dose on: a) several metabolic-endocrine activities and b) ovarian steroidogenic and granulosa cell (GC) functions and also follicular population in juvenile and adult TP and control (CT) rats. KEY FINDINGS: Compared to CT rats, TP animals were characterized by: a) accelerated growth, hyperadiposity and hyperleptinemia, b) very early (pre-weaning age) vaginal opening, c) hyperinsulinemia in adult life, d) dysfunctional ovarian steroidogenesis, e) conserved GC functionality in both juveniles (in vitro) and adults (in vivo), and f) estrous cycles arrested at estrus. Finally, histological studies of the ovaries indicated that in TP (vs. CT) rats: i) primary and antral follicle frequencies were 3- and 15-fold higher and lower, respectively, in juveniles and ii) secondary and atretic follicle frequencies were 3- and 5-fold lower and higher, respectively, in adults. Large cystic images without corpus luteum were observed in the ovaries from adult TP rats only. SIGNIFICANCE: Our results strongly suggest that transient neonatal hyperandrogenemia induced early misprogramming of metabolic-endocrine and ovarian (steroidogenesis/folliculogenesis) functions. Conversely, TP rats preserved their ovary GC endocrine function. Our results further support the high risk of developing ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome for infertile women with transient/chronic hyperandrogenemia (PCOS) subjected to assisted reproductive technologies.

Antioxidant treatment prevents the development of fructose-induced abdominal adipose tissue dysfunction.

In the present study, we tested the effect of OS (oxidative stress) inhibition in rats fed on an FRD [fructose-rich diet; 10% (w/v) in drinking water] for 3 weeks. Normal adult male rats received a standard CD (commercial diet) or an FRD without or with an inhibitor of NADPH oxidase, APO (apocynin; 5 mM in drinking water; CD-APO and FRD-APO). We thereafter measured plasma OS and metabolic-endocrine markers, AAT (abdominal adipose tissue) mass and cell size, FA (fatty acid) composition (content and release), OS status, LEP (leptin) and IRS (insulin receptor substrate)-1/IRS-2 mRNAs, ROS (reactive oxygen species) production, NADPH oxidase activity and LEP release by isolated AAT adipocytes. FRD-fed rats had larger AAT mass without changes in body weight, and higher plasma levels of TAG (triacylglycerol), FAs, TBARS (thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance) and LEP. Although no significant changes in glucose and insulin plasma levels were observed in these animals, their HOMA-IR (homoeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance) values were significantly higher than those of CD. The AAT from FRD-fed rats had larger adipocytes, higher saturated FA content, higher NADPH oxidase activity, greater ROS production, a distorted FA content/release pattern, lower insulin sensitivity together with higher and lower mRNA content of LEP and IRS-1-/2 respectively, and released a larger amount of LEP. The development of all the clinical, OS, metabolic, endocrine and molecular changes induced by the FRD were significantly prevented by APO co-administration. The fact that APO treatment prevented both changes in NADPH oxidase activity and the development of all the FRD-induced AAT dysfunctions in normal rats strongly suggests that OS plays an important role in the FRD-induced MS (metabolic syndrome) phenotype.

Fructose rich diet-induced high plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) production in the adult female rat: protective effect of progesterone.

The effect of progesterone (P4) on fructose rich diet (FRD) intake-induced metabolic, endocrine and parametrial adipose tissue (PMAT) dysfunctions was studied in the adult female rat. Sixty day-old rats were i.m. treated with oil alone (control, CT) or containing P4 (12 mg/kg). Rats ate Purina chow-diet ad libitum throughout the entire experiment and, between 100 and 120 days of age drank ad libitum tap water alone (normal diet; CT-ND and P4-ND) or containing fructose (10% w/v; CT-FRD and P4-FRD). At age 120 days, animals were subjected to a glucose tolerance test or decapitated. Plasma concentrations of various biomarkers and PMAT gene abundance were monitored. P4-ND (vs. CT-ND) rats showed elevated circulating levels of lipids. CT-FRD rats displayed high (vs. CT-ND) plasma concentrations of lipids, leptin, adiponectin and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1). Lipidemia and adiponectinemia were high (vs. P4-ND) in P4-FRD rats. Although P4 failed to prevent FRD-induced hyperleptinemia, it was fully protective on FRD-enhanced plasma PAI-1 levels. PMAT leptin and adiponectin mRNAs were high in CT-FRD and P4-FRD rats. While FRD enhanced PMAT PAI-1 mRNA abundance in CT rats, this effect was absent in P4 rats. Our study supports that a preceding P4-enriched milieu prevented the enhanced prothrombotic risk induced by FRD-elicited high PAI-1 production.

Enhanced proinflammatory cytokine response to bacterial lipopolysaccharide in the adult male rat after either neonatal or prepubertal ablation of biological testosterone activity.

A sex steroid-dependent modulation of the immune function in mammals is accepted, and evidence suggests that while estrogens enhance, androgens inhibit the immune response. The aim of this study was to explore in the adult male rat the effect of either neonatal flutamide (FTM) treatment or prepubertal orchidectomy (ODX) on endocrine markers in the basal condition and peripheral tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) levels during inflammatory stress. For these purposes, (1) 5-day-old male rats were subcutaneously injected with either sterile vehicle alone or containing 1.75 mg FTM, and (2) 25-day-old male rats were sham operated or had ODX. Rats were sacrificed (at 100 days of age) in the basal condition for determination of peripheral metabolite levels. Additional rats were intravenously injected with bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 25 µg/kg body weight, i.v.) and bled for up to 4 h. Data indicate that (1) ODX increased peripheral glucocorticoid levels and reduced those of testosterone, whereas FTM-treated rats displayed low circulating leptin concentrations, and (2) LPS-induced TNFα secretion in plasma was significantly enhanced in the FTM and ODX groups. Our study supports that neonatal FTM treatment affected adiposity function, and adds data maintaining that androgens have a suppressive role in proinflammatory cytokine release in plasma during inflammation.

Modulatory role of the ovarian function in neuroimmunoendocrine axis activity.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of ovariectomy on the acute-phase response of inflammatory stress. Ex vivo adrenocortical, peripheral mononuclear cell (PMNC) and adipocyte activities were studied in intact and ovariectomized mice. Endotoxemia was mimicked by intraperitoneal administration of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 25 mg per mouse) to sham-operated and 21-day ovariectomized mice. Circulating corticosterone, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα) and leptin concentrations were monitored before and 30-120 min after the administration of LPS. Additionally, in vitro experiments were performed with isolated corticoadrenal cells, PMNCs and omental adipocytes from sham-operated and ovariectomized mice incubated with specific secretagogues. The results indicate that while ovariectomy enhanced TNFα secretion after in vivo administration of LPS, it reduced corticoadrenal response and abrogated LPS-elicited leptin secretion into the circulation. While the corticoadrenal sensitivity to ACTH stimulation was reduced by ovariectomy, the LPS-induced PMNC response was not affected. Exogenous leptin enhanced baseline PMNC function regardless of surgery. Finally, ovariectomy drastically reduced in vitro adipocyte functionality. Our data support the notion that ovariectomy modified neuroendocrine-immune-adipocyte axis function and strongly suggest that ovarian activity could play a pivotal role in the development of an adequate immune defense mechanism after injury.

Hypothalamic ghrelin treatment modulates NPY-but not CRH-ergic activity in adrenalectomized rats subjected to food restriction: Evidence of a novel hypothalamic ghrelin effect.

It has been proposed that ghrelin induces food intake by a mechanism due to the stimulation of hypothalamic NPY-ergic activity. It is recognized that bilateral adrenalectomy (ADX) enhances hypothalamic CRH-ergic function and reduces appetite. Thus, the aim of the present study was to test whether, icv-administered, ghrelin modulates NPY- and CRH-ergic functions after food restriction (FR) and glucocorticoid deprivation. For this purpose, 1 microg ghrelin was administered icv to ad libitum (AL) eating and to corticosterone (B)-depleted (ADX) and -replete (sham and ADX+B) male animals habituated, for 15 d, to FR. Food intake, hypothalamic function, and peripheral ghrelin, ACTH, and B concentrations were evaluated 2 h after ghrelin administration. Results indicate that while icv ghrelin treatment stimulated 2-h food intake in AL rats, it failed to do so in sham- and ADX+B-FR animals; moreover, 2-h food intake was inhibited by icv ghrelin treatment in ADX-FR rats. Regarding peripheral hormone levels: (a) basal circulating ghrelin levels, already enhanced (vs AL rats) by FR, significantly increased 2 h after icv ghrelin treatment in AL and sham-FR rats; (b) central ghrelin treatment stimulated ACTH secretion in circulation of AL and glucocorticoid-replete-FR rats; and (c) B circulating levels remained unchanged after ghrelin treatment, although they were in relation to the food intake condition of rats. Finally, hypothalamic NPY mRNA expression was enhanced by FR and, in response to icv ghrelin treatment, it decreased in ADX-FR rats only. ADX-enhanced hypothalamic CRH mRNA levels were reduced by ghrelin icv administration only when animals received B replacement therapy. Our data indicate an inhibitory effect of hypothalamic ghrelin on NPY-ergic activity in FR rats lacking endogenous glucocorticoid.

Direct effect of ghrelin on leptin production by cultured rat white adipocytes.

OBJECTIVE: Because ghrelin is known to stimulate adipogenesis, we tested whether ghrelin could contribute to the maintenance of homeostasis, directly affecting rat white adipocyte leptin production. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: Isolated retroperitoneal adipocytes were cultured for 0.5 to 48 hours without (baseline) or with (0.001 to 1 nM) ghrelin alone or in combination with insulin (0.01 to 10 nM) or dexamethasone (1 to 100 nM). Adipocytes were also incubated with ghrelin and inhibitors either of RNA (actinomycin D) or protein synthesis (cycloheximide) or with several concentrations (10 to 1000 nM) of a specific ghrelin antagonist. When cultures were terminated, we evaluated adipocyte leptin secretion and ob mRNA expression. RESULTS: Our data indicate that ghrelin directly enhanced adipocyte leptin release and ob mRNA expression, that the leptin-releasing activity of ghrelin was additive to the action of both insulin and dexamethasone and was abrogated by protein synthesis inhibitors, and that effects of ghrelin on adipocyte ob mRNA expression and release were blocked by coincubation with the specific growth hormone secretagogue receptor 1a antagonist. DISCUSSION: Our study supports the ability of ghrelin to enhance white adipose tissue leptin production by a direct receptor-mediated effect. This activity of ghrelin could play a potentially significant role in rapid restoration of homeostasis after food intake.

Relationship between pituitary and adipose tissue after hypothalamic denervation in the female rat. A morphometric immunohistochemical study.

Neonatal administration of monosodium glutamate (MSG) to rats produces severe lesions in certain hypothalamic nuclei, with repercussions in different neuroendocrine axes, and serves as a model for their study. In addition, adipose tissue, as a target organ, is known to be directly related to several neurondocrine axes. We used 21-day-old female Sprague-Dawley rats that had received a neonatal treatment with MSG (4 mg/g body weight, i.p., from day 2 up to day 10 of age) in addition to control rats (injected with 10% NaCl solution, on a similar schedule). We performed a specific immunohistochemical study on each anterior-pituitary cell population, along with the morphometry of these cells and of the parietal and visceral adipose tissue, and measured the levels of serum leptin and triglycerides. The MSG animals evinced significant changes in volume density (VD), cell density (CD), and cell size (CS) in the corticotropes, thyrotropes, and LH gonadotropes, but not in the somatotropes, lactotropes, and FSH gonadotropes. The modification common to the three cell types was a hyperplasia, but with different results depending on cell size. Furthermore, in the MSG rats significant changes were also observed in the VD, CD, and CS of the adipose tissue, consisting of adipogenesis and decrease of adipocyte size in visceral fat, together with probable lipogenesis as judged by an increase in adipocyte size in the parietal fat. The serum levels of leptin and triglycerides appeared significantly higher in MSG animals. For the first time in this animal model, and at the level of three neuroendocrine axes, our results suggest changes that correlate hypothalamic damage, cellular pituitary alterations, and the response of the adipose tissue as a target organ for MSG insult.

Nature of changes in adrenocortical function in chronic hyperleptinemic female rats.

Neonatal treatment of rats with monosodium L-glutamate, which destroys hypothalamic arcuate nucleus neuronal bodies, induces several metabolic abnormalities; as a result, rats develop a phenotype of pseudoobesity. This study was designed to explore, in the monosodium L-glutamate-treated female rat, the influence of chronic hyperleptinemia on adrenal cortex functionality. For this purpose, we evaluated in control and hypothalamic-damaged rats: (a) in vivo and in vitro adrenocortical function, (b) adrenal leptin receptor immunodistribution and mRNA expression, and (c) whether the inhibitory effect of leptin on adrenal function remains. Our results indicate that, compared to normal counterparts, pseudoobese animals displayed (1) hyperadiposity, despite being hypophagic and of lower body weight, (2) in vivo and in vitro enhanced adrenocortical response to ACTH stimulation, (3) an in vitro adrenal fasciculata-reticularis cell hyper-sensitivity to ACTH stimulus, (4) hyperplasia of their adrenal zona fasciculata cells, and (5) adrenal fasciculata-reticularis cell refractoriness to the inhibitory effect of leptin on ACTH-stimulated glucocorticoid production due, at least in part, to decreased adrenal leptin receptor expression. These data further support that increased hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis function, in the adult neurotoxin-lesioned female rat, is mainly dependent on the development of both hyperplasia of adrenal zona fasciculata and adrenal gland refractoriness to leptin inhibitory effect. Our study supports that adrenal leptin resistance could be responsible, at least in part, for enhanced glucocorticoid circulating levels in this phenotype of obesity.

[Neuroendocrine aspects of obesity]. / Aspectos neuroendocrinos de la obesidad.

Genetic, social, metabolic, endocrine and neural events participate in the physiopathological development of obesity. Because of the multifactorial background of obesity, up to now, it has been very difficult to fully understand the whole disease. In fact, the relationship between several signals, through very complex mechanisms, is only partially known. Obesity, from a neuroendocrine point of view, implies taking into account abnormalities in both hypothalamic and endocrine functions. Among altered functions in obesity, namely those involving the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal and adipo-insular axes activities and the neural circuitry controlling food intake and energy expenditure have been subjects of major research. This review attempts to update information about this disorder by, firstly, analyzing each of the already mentioned systems and, secondly, focusing on the normal function of integrated processes. Finally, the discussion of some altered mechanisms and the role played by each of them in the development/maintenance of the obesity phenotype are also revisited.

Aspectos neuroendocrinos de la obesidad / Neuroendocrine aspects of obesity

En la fisiopatología de la obesidad intervienen factores genéticos, sociales, metabólicos, endocrinos y neurológicos. Esta multifactoriedad junto al hecho que estos factores se interrelacionan a través de mecanismos muy complejos, que son sólo parcialmente conocidos, ha llevado a que la comprensión íntima de este trastorno resulte una tarea sumamente ardua. Por estos motivos, el conocimiento integral de esta afección plantea un desafío al que actualmente están abocados numerosos grupos de investigadores. El análisis de la obesidad como un trastorno neuroendocrino, propone el estudio de este fenómeno desde una visión particular que implica disfunciones en casi todos los órganos endocrinos y en el sistema nervioso central, fundamentalmente en la actividad hipotalámica. Estas alteraciones afectan principalmente a los ejes neuroendocrinos hipotálamo-hipofiso-adrenal, adipo-insular y al control hipotalámico, tanto de la ingesta de alimento como del almacenamiento y gasto energético. Este artículo plantea una actualización en este campo; en primer lugar, se realiza una breve descripción, en forma independiente, de los principales sistemas antes mencionados y luego una descripción de su funcionamiento normal integrado. Finalmente, se describen desregulaciones de estos mecanismos y se discute como ellas contribuirían al desarrollo y/o mantenimiento de la obesidad.