Escitalopram alters the hypothalamic OX system but does not affect its up-regulation induced by early-life stress in adult rats.

We hypothesized that there is a relationship between the orexinergic system (OX) alterations and changes elicited by escitalopram or venlafaxine in adult rats subjected to maternal separation (MS). This animal model of childhood adversity induces long-lasting consequences in adult physiology and behavior. Male Wistar rats from the control and MS groups were injected with escitalopram or venlafaxine (10 mg/kg) IP from postnatal day (PND) 69-89. Adult rats were subjected to behavioral assessment, estimation of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity and analysis of the OX system (quantitative PCR and immunohistochemistry) in the hypothalamus and amygdala. MS caused anxiety- and depressive-like behavior, endocrine stress-related response, and up-regulation of the OX system in the hypothalamus. Escitalopram, but not venlafaxine, increased the activity of hypothalamic OX system in the control rats and both drugs had no effect on OXs in the MS group. The disturbed signaling of the OX pathway may be significant for harmful long-term consequences of early-life stress. Our data show that the normal brain and brain altered by MS respond differently to escitalopram. Presumably, anti-anxiety and antidepressant effects of this drug do not depend on the activity of hypothalamic OX system.

Neuropeptides as regulators of the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis activity and their putative roles in stress-induced fertility disorders.

Neuropeptides being regulators of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity, also affect the function of the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis by regulating gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) secretion from hypothalamic neurons. Here, we review the available data on how neuropeptides affect HPG axis activity directly or indirectly via their influence on the HPA axis. The putative role of neuropeptides in stress-induced infertility, such as polycystic ovary syndrome, is also described. This review discusses both well-known neuropeptides (i.e., kisspeptin, Kp; oxytocin, OT; arginine-vasopressin, AVP) and more recently discovered peptides (i.e., relaxin-3, RLN-3; nesfatin-1, NEFA; phoenixin, PNX; spexin, SPX). For the first time, we present an up-to-date review of all published data regarding interactions between the aforementioned neuropeptide systems. The reviewed literature suggest new pathophysiological mechanisms leading to fertility disturbances that are induced by stress.

Permeation of iodide from iodine-enriched yeast through porcine intestine.

Iodine deficiency is a common phenomenon, threatening the whole global human population. Recommended daily intake of iodine is 150 µg for adults and 250 µg for pregnant and breastfeeding women. About 50% of human population can be at risk of moderate iodine deficiency. Due to this fact, increased iodine supplementation is recommended, through intake of iodized mineral water and salt iodization. The aim of this study was to investigate permeation and absorption of iodide from iodine bioplex (experimental group) in comparison with potassium iodide (controls). Permeation and absorption processes were investigated in vitro using a porcine intestine. The experimental model was based on a standard Franz diffusion cell (FD-Cell). The iodine bioplex was produced using Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast and whey powder: iodine content - 388 µg/g, total protein - 28.5%, total fat - 0.9%., glutamic acid - 41.2%, asparaginic acid - 29.4%, lysine - 24.8%; purchased from: F.Z.N.P. Biochefa, Sosnowiec, Poland. Potassium iodide was used as controls, at 388 µg iodine concentration, which was the same as in iodine-enriched yeast bioplex. A statistically significant increase in iodide permeation was observed for iodine-enriched yeast bioplex in comparison with controls - potassium iodide. After 5h the total amount of permeated iodide from iodine-enriched yeast bioplex was 85%, which is ~ 2-fold higher than controls - 37%. Iodide absorption was by contrast statistically significantly higher in controls - 7.3%, in comparison with 4.5% in experimental group with iodine-enriched yeast bioplex. Presented results show that iodide permeation process dominates over absorption in case of iodine-enriched yeast bioplex.