大绒鼠冷驯化和脱冷驯化能量代谢特征的变化

通过测定冷驯化(5℃)到脱冷驯化(30℃)条件下,大绒鼠(Eothenomys miletus)的体重、摄入能、静止代谢率(RMR)、非颤抖性产热(NST)和血清瘦素含量等参数,探讨了血清瘦素浓度与能量收支的关系。结果表明,冷驯化可致大绒鼠体重下降,RMR、NST、摄入能升高,血清瘦素浓度降低;脱冷驯化后大绒鼠体重增加,RMR、NST、摄入能降低,血清瘦素浓度增加。血清瘦素含量与体重呈正相关,与RMR、NST、摄入能呈负相关。表明大绒鼠的体重、摄入能和产热能力具有较强的可塑性,且瘦素可能参与了大绒鼠适应冷驯化及恢复过程中的能量平衡和体重的调节。     

外源褪黑激素通过调节摄食和产热降低大绒鼠的体重

褪黑激素（MEL）是一种向动物传递光周期信息的分子,也参与能量稳态的调节。为探讨外源褪黑激素对大绒鼠（Eothenomys miletus）体重、能量代谢及体温调节的影响,将大绒鼠置于（25 ± 1）℃,光周期12 L∶12 D（白昼与黑夜各12 h）的环境中,每日腹腔注射褪黑激素（20 μg/kg）,共28 d。结果发现,注射外源性褪黑激素后,大绒鼠的体重和摄食量显著降低,摄水量增加;核心体温和肩胛间皮肤温度显著升高;静止代谢率（RMR）和非颤抖性产热（NST）显著升高;肝和褐色脂肪组织（BAT）中的线粒体蛋白含量、细胞色素c氧化酶（COX）活性升高;褐色脂肪组织中的总蛋白、解偶联蛋白1（UCP1）、α-磷酸甘油氧化酶（α-PGO）、T45′-脱碘酶（T45′-DII）活性显著升高,但对肝总蛋白和α-PGO无显著影响;血清中瘦素、三碘甲腺原氨酸（T3）浓度显著上升,甲状腺素（T4）浓度显著降低。此外,注射褪黑激素后大绒鼠睾丸重量显著降低,表明其导致大绒鼠性腺退化。相关分析表明,解偶联蛋白1含量和三碘甲腺原氨酸浓度呈正相关,T45′-脱碘酶活性和三碘甲腺原氨酸含量呈正相关,暗示T45′-脱碘酶可能在褪黑激素诱导褐色脂肪组织产热中起重要作用。总之,外源褪黑激素可能通过抑制摄食和增加产热降低了大绒鼠的体重。     

短光照诱导达乌尔黄鼠产热

本文通过测定静止代谢率(RMR)、非颤抖性产热(NST)、线粒体呼吸酶、脂肪代谢酶活力、褐色脂肪 组织(BAT)线粒体GTP 结合能力、下丘脑促甲状腺激素释放激素(TRH)和促肾上腺激素释放激素(CRH)等指标,探讨短光照对达乌尔黄鼠产热的诱导和调节。结果表明,温暖(22℃ ) 短光照(8D∶ 6L)组,达乌尔黄鼠的RMR、NST、肝脏和BAT 线粒体细胞色素C 氧化酶活力以及BAT 线粒体GTP 结合能力均明显高于温暖长光照(16D∶ 8L)组中的动物,而体重、BAT 重量、肝细胞呼吸、BAT α - 磷酸甘油氧化酶活力则没有明显变化。短光照组黄鼠下丘脑TRH 水平显著高于长光照组,而血清中三碘甲腺原氨酸(T₃ )及甲状腺素(T₄ )浓度、T₃ / T₄ 以及BAT 中T₄ - 5’脱碘酶的活性没有明显变化。短光照组黄鼠下丘脑CRH 水平显著高于对照组,而肾上腺皮质酮含量无明显变化。结果表明短光照能够诱导达乌尔黄鼠产热增加,主要是通过激活细胞色素C 氧化酶活性和增加BAT 中解偶联蛋白浓度;短光照可能激活下丘脑TRH 和CRH,但它们没有直接诱导产热增加,推测其增加了黄鼠潜在的产热能力。     

侧脑室注射CRH 对急性冷暴露长爪沙鼠BAT 产热的影响及产热调节机理

长爪沙鼠侧脑室注射促肾上腺皮质激素释放激素(CRH) 8μg 或CRH受体阻断剂2.5μg 后, 4 ±1 ℃暴露3 h ,对照组注射等体积生理盐水并置于24 ±2 ℃或4 ±1 ℃下。与常温对照组相比, 低温对照组褐色脂肪组织(BAT) 重量下降, BAT中解偶联蛋白(UCP1) mRNA 上调; 下丘脑促甲状腺激素释放激素(TRH) 含量降低, 血清T₃ 、T₄ 、T₃/T₄水平及BAT中T₄5′脱碘酶活性均增加, 血清去甲肾上腺素(NE) 含量上升。与低温对照组相比, 侧脑室注射CRH后再冷暴露, BAT重量、蛋白总含量和UCP1 mRNA 含量趋于减少; 血清NE 含量上升, BAT 中T₄ 5′脱碘酶活性增加, 但下丘脑TRH 含量、血清T₃ 、T₄ 及T₃/T₄ 水平均降低。侧脑室注射215μg 的CRH 受体阻断剂α- helical CRH 9 - 41 , 对冷暴露长爪沙鼠甲状腺轴的分泌、BAT重量、血清中NE 水平及UCP1 mRNA 含量没有明显影响。结果表明, 急性冷暴露激活了长爪沙鼠下丘脑- 垂体- 甲状腺(HPT) 轴和交感神经系统, 刺激BAT产热和UCP1 合成; 而CRH作用于中枢, 可能一方面抑制HPT轴的分泌, 进而抑制UCP1 的基因表达, 另一方面又刺激交感神经,增加产热。     

大绒鼠幼仔的生长发育和产热特征

为阐明大绒鼠幼仔的生长发育和代谢产热特征,本实验测定了1-49 日龄大绒鼠幼仔的体重、体温、静止代谢率(RMR)和非颤抖性产热(NST)。依据逻辑斯蒂曲线的拐点(24 d),大绒鼠的体重生长可划分为加速生长相和减速生长相,幼仔的体温在19 日龄前逐渐升高,22 日龄时接近成体水平;RMR 和NST分别在28日龄、19日龄前随日龄逐渐增加,RMR 在28日龄时接近成体水平,BAT 产热活性在7 日龄内被激活。结果表明,大绒鼠胎后发育及产热能力符合晚成性动物的一般特征,即具有短的妊娠期,较少的胎仔数,较长的哺乳期,这些特征对适应横断山特殊多变的环境条件具有重要意义。     

冷驯化条件下大绒鼠的产热和能量代谢特征

本文主要研究了冷驯化(5℃±1℃)条件下,大绒鼠(Eothenomys miletus)的能量收支、基础代谢率(BMR)、非颤抖性产热(NST)和肝脏线粒体呼吸.结果表明:随着冷驯化的进行,大绒鼠的体重、体温降低;摄入能、消化能、可代谢能增加;BMR和NST增加;肝脏线粒体呼吸状态Ⅲ呼吸先增加,28天后趋于平稳;线粒体状态Ⅳ呼吸先增加,28天后下降.说明在冷驯化条件下,大绒鼠采取适当降低体重和体温、增加能量摄入、增加BMR和NST产热的对策来维持能量平衡     

光周期和高脂食物对布氏田鼠能量代谢和产热的影响

为了研究光周期和高脂食物对小型哺乳动物能量代谢和产热的影响,将成年雌性布氏田鼠(Lasiopodomys brandtii)分别驯化于长光照低脂、高脂食物和短光照低脂、高脂食物,7周后测定动物的体重、能量摄入、产热、血清瘦素浓度以及褐色脂肪组织解偶联蛋白1(BAT-UCP1)含量等参数.结果发现:1)短光照抑制体重增长、降低体脂重量和血清瘦素水平,增加非颤抖性产热(NST)和UCP1含量;2)高脂食物使摄入能减少和消化率提高,但未显著影响体重、基础代谢率、NST、UCP1含量和血清瘦素;3)血清瘦素与摄入能不相关,但与体脂含量正相关.结果暗示:短光照下瘦素作用敏感性增加和产热能力增强,可能介导了抵抗高脂食物诱导的肥胖.在野外条件下草食性的布氏田鼠能通过能量代谢和产热的适应性调节避免体重的过度增长,有利于降低捕食风险,增强生存能力.同时布氏田鼠是研究食物诱导肥胖机理的一个好模型     

食物限制对雄性大绒鼠能量代谢特征的影响

为探讨横断山区大绒鼠适应食物匮乏的适应对策,将成年雄性大绒鼠随机分为自由取食组和饲喂正常摄食量的80% 限食组。测定了自由取食组和限食组雄性大绒鼠的体重、静止代谢率、非颤抖性产热以及体脂含量、血清瘦素含量、肝脏鲜重、褐色脂肪组织重量和消化道形态。结果显示:限食使雄性大绒鼠的体重、体脂含量、静止代谢率、非颤抖性产热、褐色脂肪组织重量和大肠、小肠长度显著降低,使盲肠内容物重量显著增加。血清瘦素含量与体重、体脂含量呈极显著正相关。在限食条件下,大绒鼠主要通过降低体重、基础代谢和产热的能量支出以及动用体内脂肪以应对食物资源短缺的环境条件,瘦素可能参与了能量代谢和体重的适应性调节。     

自愿转轮运动对雄性长爪沙鼠体重和能量代谢的影响

运动是影响动物能量平衡和体重变化的重要因素之一。为研究自愿转轮运动对体重和能量代谢的影响,我们监测了8 周自愿转轮运动过程中,雄性长爪沙鼠的体重、能量摄入、消化率、静止代谢率(RMR) 和非颤抖性产热(NST)的变化,以及8 周后的体脂含量、血清甲状腺激素(T3、T4 )和瘦素(leptin)水平的变化等。结果发现,8 周自愿转轮运动增加了长爪沙鼠的体重和能量摄入以及血清瘦素水平(血清瘦素浓度比对照组高27% ),但对消化率、RMR 和褐色脂肪组织的线粒体蛋白浓度等没有明显影响。尽管体脂含量和血清T₃ 和T₄ 没有显著差异,但运动组体脂含量比对照组高33%,血清T₃ 和T₄ 水平分别比对照组低10% 和38%。血清瘦素浓度与体脂重量呈正相关。因此,自动转轮运动并没有降低动物的体重和体脂含量,但瘦素和甲状腺素在雄性长爪沙鼠能量代谢和能量平衡中的作用尚需进一步确定。     

禁食和重喂食对大绒鼠体重、产热和血清瘦素的影响

动物行为和生理活动的适应性调节是应对食物资源变化的主要策略。为探讨禁食和重喂食对大绒鼠体重、产热和血清瘦素的影响,测定了禁食和重喂食条件下大绒鼠的体重、体脂重量、静止代谢率、身体组成、血清瘦素含量以及禁食后重喂食期间的摄食量。结果显示:禁食导致大绒鼠体重、体脂重量和静止代谢率显著下降,重喂食后体重和静止代谢率能够恢复到对照组水平,而体脂重量却不能恢复。禁食12 h 后血清瘦素含量快速下降,重喂食后未能恢复到对照水平。此外,大绒鼠在禁食后重喂食期间摄食量没有补偿性增加,血清瘦素含量与体脂重量呈正相关关系。这些结果很可能反映出大绒鼠能调节自身生理状况以适应短期的能量缺乏,主要通过降低体重、血清瘦素含量和代谢活性器官重量以减少能量消耗。禁食后重喂食时大绒鼠没有摄食过量。血清瘦素的下降早于体重和体脂的下降。     

Seasonal changes in body mass, energy intake and thermogenesis in Maximowiczi’s voles (Microtus maximowiczii) from the Inner Mongolian grassland

Small mammals inhabiting temperate and arctic regions exhibit annual adaptive adjustments in physiology, anatomy, and behavior. No data on the physiology of Maximowicz’s voles (Microtus maximowiczii) are available at present. Here we examined the seasonal changes in body mass, food intake, thermogenic capacity, serum leptin and thyroid hormone levels in wild-captured individuals from Inner Mongolian grassland, China. We further examined the effects of photoperiod on these parameters. Energy intake, resting metabolic rate, nonshivering thermogenesis (NST), and serum tri-iodothyronine (T3) levels increased while serum leptin and body mass decreased in the cold seasons. Serum T3 levels were positively correlated with NST and uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) contents in brown adipose tissue, and leptin levels were negatively correlated with energy intake and resting metabolic rate. Furthermore, laboratory data showed these changes could be induced by short photoperiod alone. Taken together, our results indicate that Maximowicz’s voles can increase thermogenic capacity and energy intake to cope with cold stress. Serum leptin seems to be involved in the regulation of energy intake and changes in T3 level may be important for the variations in NST and/or UCP1. Short photoperiod can serve as a seasonal cue for the winter acclimatization of energy balance in free-living Maximowicz’s voles.     

Photoperiodic regulation in energy intake, thermogenesis and body mass in root voles (Microtus oeconomus)

The present study was designed to examine whether photoperiod alone was effective to induce seasonal regulations in physiology in root voles (Microtus oeconomus) from the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau noted for its extreme cold environment. Root voles were randomly assigned into either long photoperiod (LD; 16L:8D) or short photoperiod (SD; 8L:16D) for 4 weeks at constant temperature (20 degrees C). At the end of acclimation, SD voles showed lower body mass and body fat coupled with higher energy intake than LD voles. SD greatly enhanced thermogenic capacities in root voles, as indicated by elevated basal metabolic rate (BMR), nonshivering thermogenesis (NST), mitochondrial protein content and uncoupling protein-1 (UCP1) content in brown adipose tissue (BAT). Although no variations in serum leptin levels were found between SD and LD voles, serum leptin levels were positively correlated with body mass and body fat mass, and negatively correlated with energy intake and UCP1 content in BAT, respectively. To summarize, SD alone is effective in inducing higher thermogenic capacities and energy intake coupled with lower body mass and body fat mass in root voles. Leptin is potentially involved in the photoperiod induced body mass regulation and thermogenesis in root voles.     

瘦素在育肥后达乌尔黄鼠能量平衡及体温调节中的作用

育肥完成后到冬眠前的阶段被认为是贮脂类冬眠动物从体温常态到冬眠之间的过渡阶段。为研究此阶段瘦素对能量平衡和体温调节的作用,将完成育肥的达乌尔黄鼠随机分成3组,分别在侧脑室植入微渗透泵,持续灌注瘦素（0.5μg/day）、瘦素拮抗剂（0.5μg/day瘦素+5μg/day瘦素拮抗剂）以及人工脑脊液（对照组）,为期4周。为了检测瘦素对动物入眠的影响,我们在药物处理最后一周将动物移入低温（5 ^oC±1^oC）、恒黑条件下诱导蛰眠。药物处理过程中测定动物体重、能量摄入、代谢率和体温,药物处理结束后测定身体脂肪重量、褐色脂肪组织中解偶联蛋白1（UCP1）含量以及血清中与能量平衡相关的激素水平。结果发现：育肥后达乌尔黄鼠能量摄入、体重和每日体温自发降低。低温条件下,对照组中50%个体自发进入冬眠状态。瘦素处理和瘦素拮抗剂处理对能量摄入和体重变化没有显著影响。瘦素处理对入眠率没有影响,瘦素拮抗剂处理减少蛰眠表达。瘦素拮抗剂组血清中T₄水平高于瘦素处理组。育肥后期瘦素以及瘦素拮抗剂处理对脂肪重量、代谢率以及UCP1含量没有显著影响。结果表明,瘦素对育肥结束后达乌尔黄鼠的冬眠表达具有一定调节作用。     

Photoperiod regulates leptin sensitivity in field voles, Microtus agrestis

We have previously shown that cold-acclimated (8°C) male field voles (Microtus agrestis) transferred from short (SD, 8:16 h L:D) to long photoperiod (LD, 16:8 h L:D) exhibit increases in body mass, adiposity and food intake. To assess whether these increases were associated with decreased leptin sensitivity, we infused LD and SD voles with physiological doses of murine leptin (or saline) delivered peripherally for 7 days via mini-osmotic pumps. Measurements were made of body mass (weight-reducing effect of leptin), food intake (anorectic effect of leptin) and gene expression of uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) in brown adipose tissue (BAT) (thermogenic effect of leptin). The SD animals were sensitive to the weight-reducing effects of leptin (mean body mass decrease of 1.2 g over 7 days) and appetite-reducing effect of leptin (mean food intake decrease of 2.5 g over 7 days), whereas LD voles were resistant to the hormone treatment. The switch from a leptin-sensitive to leptin-resistant state appears to act as a desensitisation mechanism that allows voles transferred from SD to LD to ignore elevated leptin levels generated by increased body fat and accumulate adipose tissue without stimulating compensatory changes opposing the weight gain. Neither SD nor LD voles responded to infusion of leptin by changes in BAT UCP1 gene expression, suggesting dissociation of anorectic and thermogenic effects of leptin, possibly related to chronic cold exposure. Our results indicate that cold-acclimated voles show photoperiod-regulated changes in leptin sensitivity and may provide an attractive model for elucidating molecular mechanisms of leptin resistance.     

Energy metabolism, thermogenesis and body mass regulation in Brandt's voles (Lasiopodomys brandtii) during cold acclimation and rewarming

Environmental cues play important roles in the regulation of an animal's physiology and behavior. The purpose of the present study was to test the hypothesis that ambient temperature was a cue to induce adjustments in body mass, energy intake and thermogenic capacity, associated with changes in serum leptin levels in Brandt's voles (Lasiopodomys brandtii). We found that Brandt's voles increased resting metabolic rate (RMR) and energy intake and kept body mass stable when exposed to the cold while showed a significant increase in body mass after rewarming. The increase in body mass after rewarming was associated with the higher energy intake compared with control. Uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) content in brown adipose tissue (BAT) increased in the cold and reversed after rewarming. Serum leptin levels decreased in the cold while increased after rewarming, associated with the opposite changes in energy intake. Further, serum leptin levels were positively correlated with body mass and body fat mass. Together, these data supported our hypothesis that ambient temperature was a cue to induce changes in body mass and metabolism. Serum leptin, as a starvation signal in the cold and satiety signal in rewarming, was involved in the processes of thermogenesis and body mass regulation in Brandt's voles.     

Effects of photoperiod on energy intake, thermogenesis and body mass in Eothenomys miletus in Hengduan Mountain region

The present study was designed to examine whether photoperiod alone was effective to induce seasonal changes in physiology in voles (Eothenomys.) from the Hengduan Mountain region. Eothenomys miletus were randomly assigned into either long photoperiod (LD; 16L: 8D) or short photoperiod (SD; 8L: 16D) for 4 weeks at constant temperature (25 °C). At the end of acclimation, SD voles showed lower body mass and body fat coupled with higher energy intake than LD voles. SD greatly enhanced the thermogenic capacity of E. miletus, as indicated by an elevated nonshivering thermogenesis (NST), mitochondrial protein in brown adipose tissue (BAT); basal metabolic rate (BMR) was also raised. Although no variations in serum leptin levels were found between SD and LD voles, serum leptin levels were positively correlated with body mass and body fat mass, and negatively correlated with energy intake and UCP1 content in BAT, respectively. To summarize, SD alone is effective in inducing higher thermogenic capacities and energy intake coupled with lower body mass and body fat mass in root voles. Leptin is potentially involved in the photoperiod induced body mass regulation and thermogenesis in E. miletus. Our study shows that SD alone is effective.     

Different physiological roles of serum leptin in the regulation of energy intake and thermogenesis between pregnancy and lactation in primiparous Brandt's voles (Lasiopodomys brandtii)

Reproduction, especially lactation, is associated with major metabolic adaptive changes. In this study, we investigated the metabolic changes and the roles of leptin during different periods of reproduction in primiparous Brandt's voles (Lasiopodomys brandtii). Energy intake, thermogenic capacity and serum leptin levels were examined in non-reproductive, mid pregnant, late pregnant, early lactating and peak lactating voles. Voles increased body mass by nearly 70% during late pregnancy compared to the non-breeding controls. The increase in body mass was mainly due to the increase in body fat mass which increased by 56%, and the growth of the reproductive tissues and digestive organs. Lactating voles decreased body fat by nearly 27% at peak lactation compared to the controls, and 53% compared to late pregnant voles. At the same time they increased food intake significantly. Uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) content in brown adipose tissue (BAT) decreased significantly at peak lactation. Serum leptin increased significantly in the mid pregnancy, at a time when there was no increase in body fat, and remained at this high level in late pregnancy. Leptin levels decreased after parturition and reached a nadir at peak lactation. Serum leptin was negatively correlated with energy intake during lactation, but not during pregnancy. These data suggest that Brandt's voles adjust energy intake, thermogenic capacity and body reserves to match the high energy demands for reproduction. Hyperleptinemia, without decreased energy intake suggests a state of leptin resistance during pregnancy, and hypoleptinemia during lactation might act as a signal to stimulate energy intake.