限食条件下下丘脑神经肽基因表达量对中缅树鼩体质量调节的影响

为阐明中缅树鼩Tupaia belangeri下丘脑神经肽基因表达量在限食条件下的体质量调节作用,本研究测定了限食(正常摄食量的80%)条件下中缅树鼩的体质量、体脂含量、血清瘦素浓度以及神经肽Y(NPY)、刺鼠相关蛋白(AgRP)、阿片促黑色素原(POMC)和可卡因-安他非明转录调节肽(CART)表达量。结果表明:限食极显著降低中缅树鼩的体质量和体脂含量(P0.01)。对照组和限食组的血清瘦素浓度差异有统计学意义(P0.05),血清瘦素浓度与体脂含量呈正相关。下丘脑神经肽基因NPY、AgRP、POMC和CART表达量差异有高度统计学意义(P0.01)。以上结果表明限食可以降低中缅树鼩的体质量、体脂含量和血清瘦素浓度,调整下丘脑神经肽基因表达量。瘦素通过调节NPY/AgRP和POMC/CART表达量来调节中缅树鼩的体质量。     

高山姬鼠下丘脑神经肽表达量的季节性变化

为阐明高山姬鼠(Apodemus chevrieri)下丘脑神经肽表达量在季节性变化条件下对其体重调节的作用,测定了不同季节高山姬鼠的体重、体脂含量、食物摄入量以及血清瘦素浓度和神经肽Y(NPY)、刺鼠相关蛋白(Ag RP)、阿片促黑色素原(POMC)和可卡因-安他非明转录调节肽(CART)表达量。采用食物平衡法测定高山姬鼠的食物摄入量,体脂含量用索氏抽提法进行测定,采用实时荧光PCR仪测定下丘脑神经肽表达量。采用单因素方差分析或协方差分析进行检验,相关性采用Pearson相关分析。高山姬鼠的体重和体脂均出现了季节性变化,冬季较低,夏季较高。食物摄入量季节性差异显著,冬季较高,夏季最低。血清瘦素含量也出现了季节性变化,与体脂变化趋势类似,瘦素含量与脂肪含量呈正相关关系。下丘脑神经肽NPY、Ag RP、POMC和CART表达量季节性差异显著。食物摄入量与NPY和Ag RP负相关,与POMC和CART正相关。以上结果表明,高山姬鼠在季节性变化过程中冬季降低体重、体脂,增加摄入量来维持生存。瘦素通过作用于下丘脑神经肽基因来调节高山姬鼠的体重平衡。     

PRDM16和BMP7基因表达量在中缅树鼩体重调节中的作用

为探讨季节性环境变化下中缅树鼩PRDM16(PR domain-containing 16)和BMP7(bone morphogenetic proteins 7)基因表达量对其生理适应性调节的作用,本研究测定了野外不同季节和实验室冷驯化条件下中缅树鼩的体重、静止代谢率(resting metabolic rate,RMR)、非颤抖性产热(nonshivering thermogenesis,NST)、摄食量、PRDM16和BMP7基因表达量的变化。结果表明:季节性变化过程中中缅树鼩的体重、RMR、NST、褐色脂肪组织(brown adipose tissue,BAT)重、白色脂肪组织(white adipose tissue,WAT)重和摄食量均是冬季显著高于夏季;中缅树鼩不同季节的PRDM16和BMP7基因表达量差异极显著,PRDM16表达量的季节变化趋势为:冬季秋季春季夏季;BMP7表达量的季节变化趋势为:冬季秋季夏季春季。冷驯化条件下,中缅树鼩的体重、RMR、NST、摄食量、BAT含量、大网膜WAT含量显著增加,PRDM16和BMP7基因表达量也显著增加。以上结果表明,中缅树鼩褐色脂肪细胞存在PRDM16和BMP7肌源性起源,即冬季或者低温条件下中缅树鼩PRDM16和BMP7表达量上调,促进褐色脂肪细胞形成,增加NST来弥补产热的不足,以适应冬季寒冷的环境。PRDM16和BMP7在中缅树鼩季节性产热调节和能量代谢中起着重要的作用。     

NPY和POMC基因在生长差异与饥饿再摄食鳙个体中的表达分析

为研究摄食促进基因和摄食抑制基因对鱼类生长调控和饥饿再摄食过程的影响,研究克隆了鳙神经肽Y(HynNPY)基因和前阿黑皮素原(HynPOMC)基因cDNA序列,采用qRT-PCR技术分析它们在生长显著差异鳙个体下丘脑、肠中的基因表达变化;设置对照组(连续投喂4周)、饥饿组、饥饿再摄食组,分析NPY和POMC在不同处理组鳙的下丘脑、肠中的基因表达变化。鳙NPY和POMC基因cDNA全长分别为839和799 bp,开放阅读框有291和657 bp,分别编码96和218个氨基酸。系统进化分析结果表明,鳙NPY和POCM基因具有高度保守性。鳙NPY在下丘脑的表达量最高,其次为肠和脑; POMC在肠道中的表达量最高,其次为下丘脑和肝脏。在相同环境下生长差异鳙个体的下丘脑和肠中, NPY在极大个体的表达量高于极小组个体, POMC在极小个体中的表达量高于极大个体。饥饿导致NPY在下丘脑表达上升,在肠表达量显著上升,恢复摄食后, NPY在下丘脑和肠中表达量下降; POMC在饥饿组下丘脑和肠中都表现为表达量呈显著上升,复投喂后POMC表达量逐步下降至接近对照组水平。肠组织学观察显示,极大个体的肠腔直径...     

黑线仓鼠体重和能量代谢的季节性变化

为阐明小型哺乳动物体重和能量代谢的季节性变化以及生理调节机制,将黑线仓鼠驯化于自然环境下12个月,测定其体重、能量收支、身体组织器官和血清瘦素水平的季节性变化。黑线仓鼠能量摄入和支出的季节性变化显著,冬季摄入能、基础代谢率(BMR)、非颤抖性产热(NST)显著高于夏季。体重季节性变化不显著,但身体组织器官重量呈现显著的季节性变化,冬季肝脏、心脏、肾脏以及消化道重量显著高于夏季。体脂含量夏季最高,冬季最低,冬季显著低于夏、秋和春季(P <0.01)。血清瘦素水平的季节性变化显著,夏季瘦素水平比秋、冬季分别高88.2% 和52.4% (P <0.05)。结果表明,黑线仓鼠体重维持季节性稳定,与“调定点假说”的预测不同;但脂肪含量和血清瘦素季节性变化显著,符合该假说。夏季血清瘦素升高具有抑制能量摄入的作用,冬季血清瘦素可能是促进代谢产热的重要因子,瘦素对能量代谢和体重的调节作用与气候的季节性变化有关。       

雌性黑线仓鼠免疫功能的季节变化

温带地区动物的免疫功能常表现出季节性变化。本研究以捕获于2014年秋季、冬季和2015年春季、夏季的雌性黑线仓鼠为研究对象,通过注射植物血球凝集素（PHA）后足垫的肿胀程度反映细胞免疫能力;注射抗原匙孔血蓝蛋白（KLH）后,利用酶联免疫吸附（ELISA）方法检测血清免疫球蛋白IgG和IgM的浓度,反映体液免疫功能;检验冬季免疫功能增强假说。体重、肥满度、体脂总重和血糖水平夏季最高,体重、体脂总重秋季最低。白细胞总数冬、春季最高,夏季最低,反映细胞免疫能力的植物血球凝集素（PHA）反应夏季显著低于其他季节。胸腺和脾脏鲜重无季节性变化。注射匙孔血蓝蛋白（KLH）后5天,秋季IgG浓度最高,但IgM浓度降至最低。体脂总重和血糖水平与PHA反应负相关,但与IgG和IgM浓度均不相关,表明能量贮存影响细胞免疫但对体液免疫作用很小。瘦素水平春季最高,与IgM显著正相关,但与细胞免疫不存在相关性,暗示瘦素可能对体液免疫具有增强作用,但对细胞免疫没有作用。皮质酮水平冬、春季最高而秋季最低,与IgG或IgM浓度显著正相关,但与细胞免疫不相关,说明皮质酮可能对体液免疫具有促进作用,但对细胞免疫无影响。总之,黑线仓鼠免疫系统的不同成分表现出不同的季节性变化模式,白细胞总数、细胞免疫和IgG水平季节变化支持冬季免疫能力增强假说,而免疫器官、白细胞总数、IgM浓度的季节变化不支持该假说。     

饥饿对幼年斑马鱼下丘脑摄食相关性神经肽表达的影响

脊椎动物下丘脑中的神经肽Y(Neuropeptide Y, NPY)、GALANIN和GMAP蛋白前体(GALANIN and GMAP prepropeptide, GAL)、Agouti相关蛋白(Agouti related neuropeptide, AGRP)和阿片促黑色素原(Proopiomelanocortin, POMC)与摄食密切相关,但在斑马鱼中对这些神经肽与摄食之间关系的研究较少。本文通过原位杂交技术和实时定量PCR方法,观察饥饿1 d、饥饿2 d和饥饿2 d喂食2 d后斑马鱼下丘脑中npy、galanin、agrp和pomca的表达情况。结果显示,饥饿处理之后,agrp和galanin在斑马鱼下丘脑中的表达量显著上升(P<0.05)。与对照组相比,饥饿2 d后斑马鱼下丘脑中pomca表达量显著下降(P<0.05)。饥饿2 d喂食2 d后斑马鱼下丘脑中pomca、agrp和galanin的表达量与对照组相比没有显著性差异。所有实验中npy在斑马鱼下丘脑中的表达没有显著性差异。这表明饥饿处理促使斑马鱼下丘脑中agrp和galanin表达上调,pomca表达下调;及时摄食可以恢复agrp、galanin和pomca在下丘脑中的表达水平。     

Physiologic estradiol levels enhance hypothalamic expression of the long form of the leptin receptor in intact rats

Estradiol is a potent hypophagic agent that reduces food intake and body weight without a concomitant fall in plasma leptin levels. We investigated whether the hypophagic effect of estradiol is mediated by stimulating POMC and/or inhibiting NPY neuronal pathways in the hypothalamus, which respectively inhibit and stimulate feeding. We examined hypothalamic gene expression of Ob-Rb, NPY, POMC, MC4-R, and AgRP in intact Wistar rats treated with estradiol for 48 hours. Food intake and body weight were reduced in estradiol-treated rats but fat mass was unchanged; plasma leptin and insulin levels were not significantly different from untreated, freely fed controls. In untreated rats that were pair-fed to match the estradiol-treated group, body weight was also reduced without changes in fat mass, although leptin and insulin levels decreased significantly. Ob-Rb expression was increased in both hypophagic groups despite serum leptin were only decreased in pair-fed animals, suggesting an estradiol-stimulating effect on Ob-Rb expression. No significant differences were found in POMC, AgRP, or MC4-R expression among any of the experimental groups. A significant but small decrease in NPY expression was also found in both hypophagic groups; this was explained by the combined effect of both surgery and reduced food intake. These results indicate that estradiol mediated hypophagia in intact rats could be brought about by an enhanced hypothalamic leptin sensitivity but is unlikely to be driven by changes in NPY or melanocortin system.     

Plasma neuropeptide Y levels relate cigarette smoking and smoking cessation to body weight regulation

Loss and disproportionate gain of body weight often seen respectively in smokers and quitters are believed to be due to disrupted energy homeostasis induced by nicotine, the major constituent of cigarette smoke. Energy homeostasis is suggested to be regulated by the coordinated actions of peripheral adipose tissue derived leptin and the brain hypothalamic orexigenic neuropeptide Y (NPY). While the studies probing the role of leptin and NPY in weight modulating effect of nicotine have so far been inconsistent and based largely on animal systems, there is a paucity of data involving human subjects. Here we measured the plasma levels of orexigenic neuropeptide Y (NPY) and leptin in 35 non-smokers and 31 cigarette smokers before and three months after smoking cessation. Compared to non-smokers, smokers were leaner and had reduced NPY and leptin levels. Smoking cessation resulted in a significant weight gain and increased waist circumference accompanied by increased leptin and NPY levels. NPY levels were significantly correlated with body weight (r=0.43, p<0.05), BMI (r=0.41, p<0.05), and waist circumference (r=0.37, p<0.05), while leptin correlated with BMI (r=0.42, p<0.05) and waist circumference (r=0.39, p<0.05). Association of leptin with smoking status, but not that of NPY, was lost after controlling for anthropometric parameters. Weight modulating effect of cigarette smoke may thus involve its direct action on NPY, independent of leptin. Altered leptin levels in smokers and quitters may merely reflect changes in body weight or precisely fat mass.     

Seasonal regulations of energetics, serum concentrations of leptin, and uncoupling protein 1 content of brown adipose tissue in root voles (Microtus oeconomus) from the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau

Survival of small mammals in winter requires proper adjustments in physiology, behavior and morphology. The present study was designed to examine the changes in serum leptin concentration and the molecular basis of thermogenesis in seasonally acclimatized root voles (Microtus oeconomus) from the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau. In January root voles had lower body mass and body fat mass coupled with higher nonshivering thermogenesis (NST) capacity. Consistently, cytochrome c oxidase activity and mitochondrial uncoupling protein-1 (UCP1) protein contents in brown adipose tissues were higher in January as compared to that in July. Circulating level of serum leptin was significantly lower in winter and higher in July. Correlation analysis showed that serum leptin levels were positively related with body mass and body fat mass while negatively correlated with UCP1 protein contents. Together, these data provided further evidence for our previous findings that root voles from the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau mainly depend on higher NST coupled with lower body mass to enhance winter survival. Further, fat deposition was significantly mobilized in cold winter and leptin was potentially involved in the regulation of body mass and thermogenesis in root voles. Serum leptin might act as a starvation signal in winter and satiety signal in summer.     

Severe pulmonary hypertension in aging female apolipoprotein E-deficient mice is rescued by estrogen replacement therapy

Corticotropin-releasing factor overexpressing (CRF-OE) male mice showed an inhibited feeding response to a fast, and lower plasma acyl ghrelin and Fos expression in the arcuate nucleus compared to wild-type (WT) mice. We investigated whether hormones and hypothalamic feeding signals are impaired in CRF-OE mice and the influence of sex. Male and female CRF-OE mice and WT littermates (4–6 months old) fed ad libitum or overnight fasted were assessed for body, adrenal glands and perigonadal fat weights, food intake, plasma hormones, blood glucose, and mRNA hypothalamic signals. Under fed conditions, compared to WT, CRF-OE mice have increased adrenal glands and perigonadal fat weight, plasma corticosterone, leptin and insulin, and hypothalamic leptin receptor and decreased plasma acyl ghrelin. Compared to male, female WT mice have lower body and perigonadal fat and plasma leptin but higher adrenal glands weights. CRF-OE mice lost these sex differences except for the adrenals. Male CRF-OE and WT mice did not differ in hypothalamic expression of neuropeptide Y (NPY) and proopiomelanocortin (POMC), while female CRF-OE compared to female WT and male CRF-OE had higher NPY mRNA levels. After fasting, female WT mice lost more body weight and ate more food than male WT, while CRF-OE mice had reduced body weight loss and inhibited food intake without sex difference. In male WT mice, fasting reduced plasma insulin and leptin and increased acyl ghrelin and corticosterone while female WT showed only a rise in corticosterone. In CRF-OE mice, fasting reduced insulin while leptin, acyl ghrelin and corticosterone were unchanged with no sex difference. Fasting blood glucose was higher in CRF-OE with female > male. In WT mice, fasting increased hypothalamic NPY expression in both sexes and decreased POMC only in males, while in CRF-OE mice, NPY did not change, and POMC decreased in males and increased in females. These data indicate that CRF-OE mice have abnormal basal and fasting circulating hormones and hypothalamic feeding-related signals. CRF-OE also abolishes the sex difference in body weight, abdominal fat, and fasting-induced feeding and changes in plasma levels of leptin and acyl ghrelin.     

Chronic exercise lowers the defended body weight gain and adiposity in diet-induced obese rats

The effects of running wheel exercise and caloric restriction on the regulation of body weight, adiposity, and hypothalamic neuropeptide expression were compared in diet-induced obese male rats over 6 wk. Compared with sedentary controls, exercising rats had reduced body weight gain (24%), visceral (4 fat pads; 36%) and carcass (leptin; 35%) adiposity but not insulin levels. Hypothalamic arcuate nucleus (ARC) proopiomelanocortin (POMC) mRNA expression was 25% lower, but ARC neuropeptide Y (NPY), agouti- related peptide, dorsomedial nucleus (DMN) NPY, and paraventricular nucleus (PVN) corticotropin- releasing hormone (CRH) expression was comparable to controls. Sedentary rats calorically restricted to 85% of control body weight reduced their visceral adiposity (24%), leptin (64%), and insulin (21%) levels. ARC NPY (23%) and DMN NPY (60%) were increased, while ARC POMC (40%) and PVN CRH (14%) were decreased. Calorically restricted exercising rats an half as much as ad libitum-fed exercising rats and had less visceral obesity than comparably restricted sedentary rats. When sedentary restricted rats were refed after 4 wk, they increased intake and regained the weight gain and adiposity of sedentary controls. While refed exercising rats and sedentary rats ate comparable amounts, refed exercising rats regained weight and adiposity only to the level of ad libitum-fed exercising rats. Thus exercise lowers the defended level of weight gain and adiposity without a compensatory increase in intake and with a very different profile of hypothalamic neuropeptide expression from calorically restricted rats. This may be due to exercise-related factors other than plasma insulin and leptin.