Pyroglutamylated RFamide peptide 43 stimulates the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis via gonadotropin-releasing hormone in rats.

Although it is established that other members of the RFamide family stimulate the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, the influence of the novel pyroglutamylated RFamide peptide 43 (QRFP43) is not known. We show intracerebroventricular (icv) administration of QRFP43 (2 nmol) to male rats increased plasma LH and FSH levels at 40 min after injection. icv administration of 3 nmol QRFP43 did not affect food intake in ad-libitum-fed male rats. The icv administration of 2 nmol QRFP43 did not significantly influence behavior in male rats. Intraperitoneal administration of doses up to 1200 nmol/kg QRFP43 in male rats did not significantly influence circulating gonadotropin or sex steroid levels. In vitro, QRFP43 stimulated GnRH release from hypothalamic explants from male rats and from GT1-7 cells. Pretreatment with a GnRH receptor antagonist, cetrorelix, blocked the increase in plasma LH levels after icv administration of QRFP43 (2 nmol). These results suggest that icv QRFP43 activates the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis via GnRH.

Neuropeptide S stimulates the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis and inhibits food intake.

Neuropeptide S (NPS) is a recently discovered peptide shown to be involved in the modulation of arousal and fear responses. It has also been shown that lateral ventricle administration of NPS causes a significant decrease in food intake. Neuropeptides involved in the modulation of arousal have been shown to be involved in the regulation of the hypothalamo-pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis and food intake. In this study, we have examined the effect of intracerebroventricular (ICV) administration of NPS on behavior, regulation of the HPA axis, and food intake. ICV NPS significantly increased plasma ACTH and corticosterone 10 and 40 min after injection, respectively. A single ICV injection of NPS caused a significant increase in rearing activity as well as ambulatory movement for up to 45 min after injection. We then studied the effect of paraventricular nucleus (PVN) administration of NPS on the regulation of the HPA axis, behavior, and food intake. There was a significant increase in plasma ACTH and corticosterone after a single NPS PVN injection. Incubation of hypothalamic explants with increasing concentrations of NPS caused a significant increase in CRH and arginine vasopressin release. In addition, PVN administration of NPS dose-dependently inhibited food intake in the first hour after injection, although no effect on food intake was seen after this time. PVN administration of NPS caused a significant increase in rearing activity. These data demonstrate a novel role for NPS in the stimulation of the HPA axis.

Neuromedin U partially mediates leptin-induced hypothalamo-pituitary adrenal (HPA) stimulation and has a physiological role in the regulation of the HPA axis in the rat.

Intracerebroventricular (ICV) administration of the hypothalamic neuropeptide neuromedin U (NMU) or the adipostat hormone leptin increases plasma ACTH and corticosterone. The relationship between leptin and NMU in the regulation of the hypothalamo-pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis is currently unknown. In this study, leptin (1 nm) significantly increased the release of CRH from ex vivo hypothalamic explants by 207 +/- 8.4% (P < 0.05 vs. basal), an effect blocked by the administration of anti-NMU IgG. The ICV administration of leptin (10 mug, 0.625 nmol) increased plasma ACTH and corticosterone 20 min after injection [plasma ACTH (picograms per milliliter): vehicle, 63 +/- 20, leptin, 135 +/- 36, P < 0.05; plasma corticosterone (nanograms per milliliter): vehicle, 285 +/- 39, leptin, 452 +/- 44, P < 0.01]. These effects were partially attenuated by the prior administration of anti-NMU IgG. Peripheral leptin also stimulated ACTH release, an effect attenuated by prior ICV administration of anti-NMU IgG. We examined the diurnal pattern of hypothalamic NMU mRNA expression and peptide content, plasma leptin, and plasma corticosterone. The diurnal changes in hypothalamic NMU mRNA expression were positively correlated with hypothalamic NMU peptide content, plasma corticosterone, and plasma leptin. The ICV administration of anti-NMU IgG significantly attenuated the dark phase rise in corticosterone [corticosterone (nanograms per milliliter): vehicle, 493 +/- 38; NMU IgG, 342 +/- 47 (P < 0.05)]. These studies suggest that NMU may play a role in the regulation of the HPA axis and partially mediate leptin-induced HPA stimulation.

Peripheral and central administration of xenin and neurotensin suppress food intake in rodents.

Xenin is a 25-amino acid peptide highly homologous to neurotensin. Xenin and neurotensin are reported to have similar biological effects. Both reduce food intake when administered centrally to fasted rats. We aimed to clarify and compare the effects of these peptides on food intake and behavior. We confirm that intracerebroventricular (ICV) administration of xenin or neurotensin reduces food intake in fasted rats, and demonstrate that both reduce food intake in satiated rats during the dark phase. Xenin reduced food intake more potently than neurotensin following ICV administration. ICV injection of either peptide in the dark phase increased resting behavior. Xenin and neurotensin stimulated the release of corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH) from ex vivo hypothalamic explants, and administration of alpha-helical CRH attenuated their effects on food intake. Intraperitoneal (IP) administration of xenin or neurotensin acutely reduced food intake in fasted mice and ad libitum fed mice in the dark phase. However, chronic continuous or twice daily peripheral administration of xenin or neurotensin to mice had no significant effect on daily food intake or body weight. These studies confirm that ICV xenin or neurotensin can acutely reduce food intake and demonstrate that peripheral administration of xenin and neurotensin also reduces food intake. This may be partly mediated by changes in hypothalamic CRH release. The lack of chronic effects on body weight observed in our experiments suggests that xenin and neurotensin are unlikely to be useful as obesity therapies.

Investigation of structure-activity relationships of Oxyntomodulin (Oxm) using Oxm analogs.

Oxyntomodulin (Oxm) is an intestinal peptide that inhibits food intake and body weight in rodents and humans. These studies used peptide analogs to study aspects of structure and function of Oxm, and the sensitivity of parts of the Oxm sequence to degradation. Analogs of Oxm were synthesized and studied using receptor binding and degradation studies in vitro. Their effects on food intake and conditioned taste avoidance were measured in vivo in rodents. Oxm breakdown by the enzyme dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPPIV) was demonstrated in vitro and in vivo. In vitro degradation was reduced and in vivo bioactivity increased by inhibitors of DPPIV. Modifications to the N terminus of Oxm modulated binding to the glucagon-like peptide (GLP)-1 receptor and degradation by DPPIV. Modifications to the midsection of Oxm modulated binding to the GLP-1 receptor and degradation by neutral endopeptidase. These modifications also altered bioactivity in vivo. The C-terminal octapeptide of Oxm was shown to contribute to the properties of Oxm in vitro and in vivo but was not alone sufficient for the effects of the peptide. Elongation and acylation of the C terminus of Oxm altered GLP-1 receptor binding and duration of action in vivo, which may be due to changes in peptide clearance. An Oxm analog was developed with enhanced pharmaceutical characteristics, with greater potency and longevity with respect to effects on food intake. These studies suggest that Oxm is a potential target for antiobesity drug design.

Hypothalamic injection of oxyntomodulin suppresses circulating ghrelin-like immunoreactivity.

Ghrelin is a gastric peptide that regulates appetite and GH secretion. Circulating ghrelin levels are elevated by fasting and suppressed postprandially. However, the mechanisms regulating circulating ghrelin levels are unclear. Oxyntomodulin is an anorexic peptide hormone released from L cells in the gut. We investigated the effects of intracerebroventricular (icv) administration of oxyntomodulin on circulating ghrelin levels. The icv administration of 1, 3, or 10 nmol oxyntomodulin reduced circulating acylated and total (acylated and des-acylated) ghrelin 60 min after icv injection. Administration of 1 nmol oxyntomodulin directly into the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus significantly reduced total and acylated ghrelin levels, and administration of 3 nmol oxyntomodulin into the lateral ventricle induced c-fos mRNA expression in arcuate nucleus neurons expressing the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor. In a final study, the reduction in total ghrelin observed after icv injection of 3 nmol oxyntomodulin was blocked by coadministration of the GLP-1 receptor antagonist exendin (9-39). These studies suggest oxyntomodulin reduces peripheral ghrelin levels via GLP-1 receptor-dependent hypothalamic pathways. Postprandial release of anorexic gut hormones may thus act centrally to contribute to the postprandial reduction in circulating ghrelin.

Diabetic nephropathy in African-American patients.

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is the number one cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in the United States and is highly prevalent in African Americans. Since 1997, DN has been the number one cause of ESRD in African Americans. In African Americans, almost all DN is due to type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), and nephropathy may affect female more than male patients. African Americans with T2DM are at increased risk for developing and having progression of DN. Glycemic control, development of albuminuria, family history of renal disease, and control of blood pressure are important risk factors for progression of DN. In addition, cigarette smoking, presence of hepatitis C, and use of thiazolinediones has an impact on renal survival in African Americans. Large vessel complications may be less frequent in African Americans with T2DM, when compared with white persons. Yet, cardiovascular disease and other microvascular complications are very common, and both are dependent on control of blood pressure. Achieving the recommended blood pressure of less than 130/80 mm Hg is essential but requires multiple antihypertensive medications, including an inhibitor of the renin-angiotensin system.