哺乳动物冷应激的主要神经内分泌反应

为便于了解哺乳动物冷应激生理变化的调节机理,介绍了冷应激的主要神经内分泌反应。控制冷应激反应的主要中枢位于下丘脑。冷应激激活交感神经系统,激活下丘脑－垂体－甲状腺轴和下丘脑－垂体－肾上腺轴激素的合成和分泌,引起肾上腺髓质儿茶酚胺分泌增加;同时抑制促生长激素轴、促性腺轴、催乳激素轴的激素分泌。神经肽Y、瘦素、褪黑激素等多种神经肽和激素参与冷应激反应。     

胰高血糖素样肽-1的神经内分泌效应研究进展

胰高血糖素样肽-1(glucagon-like peptide-1,GLP-1)是肠黏膜L细胞分泌的肠促胰素,可血糖依赖性地促进胰岛素分泌,从而减少低血糖的发生。作为一种脑肠肽,GLP-1的神经内分泌作用越来越受到关注。外周或中枢给予GLP-1可激活下丘脑-垂体-肾上腺轴(HPA轴)、交感和副交感神经系统,进而广泛参与神经内分泌调节,包括应激反应、物质和能量代谢,甚至神经、心理等脑的高级功能。本文拟阐述GLP-1的神经内分泌效应和作用机制,旨在为临床肠促胰素类药物的应用提供理论指导。     

糖皮质激素对大鼠下丘脑组织G蛋白α亚基的调节作用

糖皮质激素影响下丘脑－垂体－肾上腺轴（ＨＰＡＡ）的神经内分泌功能,尤其对下丘脑的影响更为重要,下丘脑神经激素的合成和分泌与Ｇ蛋白偶联的信号传导系统有关。用蛋白印迹技术研究了糖皮质激素对大鼠下丘脑几种Ｇ蛋白α亚基表达的调节作用,结果表明,糖皮质激素对Ｇαｓ１,Ｇαｓ２,Ｇαｉ和Ｇαｑ的影响均为下调作用,但下降的幅度不同,分别为１４．３,１５．６６,１４．６１和１２．３７％糖皮质激素对Ｇαｏ表达无明显     

rIL-6对小鼠下丘脑 垂体 肾上腺轴的影响

白细胞介素６（ｒＩＬ６）是一种多功能的细胞因子,特别是在炎症性疾患中起着重要的作用。因此ＩＬ６又可称为炎性细胞因子。目前已证实各种炎症疾患可影响神经内分泌机能的变化,而其中细胞因子是介导免疫系统及神经内分泌系统相互作用的重要媒介,特别是对下丘脑－垂体－肾上腺轴（ＨＰＡＡ）的影响更值得关注。本文就ｒＩＬ６对ＨＰＡＡ的作用点问题加以探讨１　材料与方法（１）动物　Ｓｗｉｓｓ小鼠,雌性,体重（２０±２）ｇ,４周龄,本校二级动物房提供。（２）ｒＩＬ６及用药方式　①ｒＩＬ６山东医学科学院山东肿瘤生…     

糖皮质激素对胎儿下丘脑-垂体-肾上腺皮质轴的印迹效应

现已发现,糖皮质激素（glucocorticoids,GC)参与神经细胞的发生、分化、成熟及死亡。在胎儿脑发育的关键时期,接触过高浓度的GC将会影响其出生后的下丘脑－垂体－肾上腺轴（HPA轴）的功能。HPA轴与应激反应密切相关,对孕期暴露于高浓度的GC非常敏感。GC主要是通过以下三点来编程成年HPA轴功能的：（1）脑干神经系统的发育和功能;（2）海马皮质类固醇受体发育状态;（3）室旁核神经元的发育和功能。孕期接触高浓度的GC还可以直接影响脑结构的发育。GC对HPA轴功能及脑结构的影响则导致了成年行为的改变及一系列疾病的发生。     

氧化应激与cfos和cjun转录和AP－1激活

激活剂蛋白－１（ａｃｔｉｖａｔｏｒ ｐｒｏｔｅｉｎ－１,ＡＰ－１）是近年来受到关注的与氧化应激基因表达调控有关的转录因子,文章就氧化应激与ｃｆｏｓ和ｃｊｕｎ基因表达,ＡＰ－１的激活,ＡＰ－１对氧化应激反应的调控,ＡＰ－１与亲电子反应元件等有关内容作了简要的综述。     

神经内分泌讲座（二）：———促甲状腺激素分泌的神经内分泌调节

甲状腺是人及动物体内十分重要的内分泌器官。它分泌的甲状腺激素调节机体的代谢、生长发育等过程。甲状腺的功能又受到下丘脑－腺垂体－甲状腺轴的调节,而下丘脑又受脑的其它部位的功能控制。因此,通过下丘脑的神经内分泌作用,将神经系统的活动与甲状腺的内分泌功能有...     

THE IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL STUDIES OF PROJECTIONS LINKING THE AUDITORY THALAMUS AND NEUROSE- CRETORY HYPOTHALAMUS IN THE BRAIN OF NON - SONGBIRD

应用神经示踪物ＢＤＡ（ｂｉｏｔｉｎｙｌａｔｅｄｄｅｘｔｒａｎａｍｉｎｅ）和免疫组织化学方法对环鸽（ｓｔｒｅｐｔｏｐｅｌｉａｒｉｓｏｒｉａ）丘脑听区和下丘脑内分泌脑区间的神经通路进行了研究。结果发现,丘脑卵形核壳（Ｏｖｓｈｅｌ）及周围区域存在丰富脑啡肽免疫反应神经元。丘脑卵形核尾侧（Ｏｖｐ）有传出纤维直接投射至Ｏｖ壳和下丘脑腹内侧核（ＶＭＮ）。卵形核壳周围和下丘脑内分泌脑区间的传出神经通路显示了丰富的脑啡肽阳性免疫反应细胞和终末标记,在下丘脑腹内侧核中亦存在大量脑腓肽终末标记。结果提示Ｏｖ周围的部分脑啡肽神经元发出的传出纤维可能参与了鸽丘脑听区向内分泌下丘脑区投射的神经通路。     

α-黑色素细胞刺激素对白细胞介素-1β发热的解热机理研究

本研究观察了α－黑色素细胞刺激素（α－ＭＳＨ）对家兔白细胞介素－１β（ＩＬ－１β）发热效应及下丘脑组织腺苷环－磷酸（ｃＡＭＰ）含量的影响;同时观察了下丘本外培养过程中,α－ＭＳＨ对ＩＬ－１β刺激下丘脑释放ｃＡＭＰ的影响。结果显示：α－ＭＳＨ能显著降低ＩＬ－１β引起的体温升高（Ｐ〈０．０５）;同时抑制下丘脑组织ｃＡＭＰ含量的增高（Ｐ〈０．０１）。ＩＬ－１β与下丘脑组织培养,其上清液的ｃＡＭＰ含量明显     

糖皮质激素在神经系统发育中的作用

在神经系统的早期发育阶段,糖 皮质激素可通过影响下丘脑－垂体－肾上腺（ＨＰＡ）轴的活动,并经由糖 皮质激素受体介导对神经元和神经胶质的存活、分化、生长和凋亡过程进行调节;在成年阶段,糖皮质激素对与神经元可塑性相关的因子进行调节,从而影响神经元的可塑性变化;在老年阶段,过量的糖皮质激素对神经元更多地产生危害作用。因此,糖皮质激素对神经元的发育起着重要的调节作用。     

Gonadal Steroid Hormone Receptors and Sex Differences in the Hypothalamo-Pituitary-Adrenal Axis

The rapid activation of stress-responsive neuroendocrine systems is a basic reaction of animals to perturbations in their environment. One well-established response is that of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. In rats, corticosterone is the major adrenal steroid secreted and is released in direct response to adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) secreted from the anterior pituitary gland. ACTH in turn is regulated by the hypothalamic factor, corticotropin-releasing hormone. A sex difference exists in the response of the HPA axis to stress, with females reacting more robustly than males. It has been demonstrated that in both sexes, products of the HPA axis inhibit reproductive function. Conversely, the sex differences in HPA function are in part due to differences in the circulating gonadal steroid hormone milieu. It appears that testosterone can act to inhibit HPA function, whereas estrogen can enhance HPA function. One mechanism by which androgens and estrogens modulate stress responses is through the binding to their cognate receptors in the central nervous system. The distribution and regulation of androgen and estrogen receptors within the CNS suggest possible sites and mechanisms by which gonadal steroid hormones can influence stress responses. In the case of androgens, data suggest that the control of the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus is mediated trans-synaptically. For estrogen, modulation of the HPA axis may be due to changes in glucocorticoid receptor-mediated negative feedback mechanisms. The results of a variety of studies suggest that gonadal steroid hormones, particularly testosterone, modulate HPA activity in an attempt to prevent the deleterious effects of HPA activation on reproductive function.     

Prenatal Restraint Stress is Associated with Demethylation of Corticotrophin Releasing Hormone (CRH) Promoter and Enhances CRH Transcriptional Responses to Stress in Adolescent Rats

Maternal stress can disturb normal fetal neurodevelopmental progress, and lead to negative behavioral and neuroendocrine consequences for the offspring. These effects may be related to alterations in the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis. Early life events disrupting the function of the HPA axis may be associated with epigenetic modification. This study investigated the effect of maternal stress on the methylation rate of the corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH) promoter and HPA axis response to acute stress in the adolescent offspring of Sprague–Dawley rats. Pregnant dams were randomly assigned to two groups: restraint stress group and normal control group. Adolescent male and female offspring were used from each group. The results showed that prenatal stress is associated with the demethylation of the CRH promoter, and leads to anxiety-like behaviors in adolescent life stages, as well as hyper-responsiveness of the HPA axis. Together, these results imply that prenatal stress alters the normal HPA function, which may be via the epigenetic mechanism.     

The Hypothalamic–Pituitary–Adrenal Axis and Serotonin Metabolism in Individual Brain Nuclei of Mice with Genetic Disruption of the NK1 Receptor Exposed to Acute Stress

Mice lacking the substance P (SP) neurokinin-1 (NK1) receptor (NK1R?/?mice) were used to investigate whether SP affects serotonin (5-HT) function in the brain and to assess the effects of acute immobilisation stress on the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenocortical (HPA) axis and 5-HT turnover in individual brain nuclei. Basal HPA activity and the expression of hypothalamic corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) in wild-type (WT)- and NK1R?/? mice were identical. Stress-induced increases in plasma ACTH concentration were considerably higher in NK1R?/? mice than in WT mice while corticosterone concentrations were equally elevated in both mouse lines. Acute stress did not alter the expression of CRH. In the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN), basal 5-HT turnover was increased in NK1R?/? mice and a 15 min stress further magnified 5-HT utilisation in this region. In the frontoparietal cortex, medial prefrontal cortex, central nucleus of amygdala, and the hippocampal CA1 region, stress increased 5-HT and/or 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) concentrations to a similar extent in WT and NK1R?/? mice. 5-HT turnover in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus was not affected by stress, but stress induced similar increases in 5-HT and 5-HIAA in the ventromedial and dorsomedial hypothalamic nuclei in WT and NK1R?/? mice. Our findings indicate that NK1 receptor activation suppresses ACTH release during acute stress but does not exert sustained inhibition of the HPA axis. Genetic deletion of the NK1 receptor accelerates 5-HT turnover in DRN under basal and stress conditions. No differences between the responses of serotonergic system to acute stress in WT and NK1R?/? mice occur in forebrain nuclei linked to the regulation of anxiety and neuroendocrine stress responses.     

“Green odor” inhalation by stressed rat dams reduces behavioral and neuroendocrine signs of prenatal stress in the offspring

Chronic maternal stress during pregnancy results in the “prenatally stressed” offspring displaying behavioral and neuroendocrine alterations that persist into adulthood. We investigated how inhalation of green odor (a mixture of equal amounts of trans-2-hexenal and cis-3-hexenol) by stressed dams might alter certain indices of prenatal stress in their offspring. These indices were depression-like behavior (increased immobility time in the forced-swim test) and acute restraint stress-induced changes in hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis activity [plasma corticosterone (CORT) and ACTH levels and the number of Fos-immunoreactive cells in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (an index of neuronal activity)]. Pregnant rats were exposed to restraint stress for 60 min/day for 10 days (gestational days 10-19). The prenatally stressed offspring exhibited significant increases in depression-like behavior and in restraint stress-induced ACTH, CORT, and Fos responses, unless their dam had been exposed to green odor. The behavioral effect of the odor was also seen in offspring that were fostered by unstressed dams. The results obtained in the dams themselves were as follows. In vehicle-exposed stressed dams, but not in green odor-exposed ones, total body and adrenal weights were significantly decreased or increased, respectively. Depression-like behavior was not observed in the vehicle-exposed stressed dams themselves. Green odor inhalation prevented the impairment of maternal behavior induced by restraint stress. Thus, exposure of dams to stress may affect both the fetal brain and fetal HPA axis, and also maternal behavior, leading to altered behavioral and neuroendocrine responses in the offspring. Such effects may be prevented by the stressed dams inhaling green odor.     

Detrimental effects of chronic hypothalamic—pituitary—adrenal axis activation

Increasing evidence suggests that the detrimental effects of glucocorticoid (GC) hypersecretion occur by activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in several human pathologies, including obesity, Alzheimer's disease, AIDS dementia, and depression. The different patterns of response by the HPA axis during chronic activation are an important consideration in selecting an animal model to assess HPA axis function in a particular disorder. This article will discuss how chronic HPA axis activation and GC hypersecretion affect hippocampal function and contribute to the development of obesity. In the brain, the hippocampus has the highest concentration of GC receptors. Chronic stress or corticosterone treatment induces neuropathological alterations, such as dendritic atrophy in hippocampal neurons, which are paralleled by cognitive deficits. Excitatory amino acid (EAA) neurotransmission has been implicated in chronic HPA axis activation. EAAs play a major role in neuroendocrine regulation. Hippocampal dendritic atrophy may involve alterations in EAA transporter function, and decreased EAA transporter function may also contribute to chronic HPA axis activation. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of HPA axis activation will likely advance the development of therapeutic interventions for conditions in which GC levels are chronically elevated.     

Regulation of Hypothalamo-Pituitary-Adrenocortical Responses to Stressors by the Nucleus of the Solitary Tract/Dorsal Vagal Complex

Hindbrain neurons in the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS) are critical for regulation of hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) responses to stress. It is well known that noradrenergic (as well as adrenergic) neurons in the NTS send direct projections to hypophysiotropic corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) neurons and control activation of HPA axis responses to acute systemic (but not psychogenic) stressors. Norepinephrine (NE) signaling via alpha1 receptors is primarily excitatory, working either directly on CRH neurons or through presynaptic activation of glutamate release. However, there is also evidence for NE inhibition of CRH neurons (possibly via beta receptors), an effect that may occur at higher levels of stimulation, suggesting that NE effects on the HPA axis may be context-dependent. Lesions of ascending NE inputs to the paraventricular nucleus attenuate stress-induced ACTH but not corticosterone release after chronic stress, indicating reduction in central HPA drive and increased adrenal sensitivity. Non-catecholaminergic NTS glucagon-like peptide 1/glutamate neurons play a broader role in stress regulation, being important in HPA activation to both systemic and psychogenic stressors as well as HPA axis sensitization under conditions of chronic stress. Overall, the data highlight the importance of the NTS as a key regulatory node for coordination of acute and chronic stress.     

The action of a synthetic derivative of Met5-enkephalin-Arg6-Phe7 on behavioral and endocrine responses

The neuroendocrine and behavioral effects of Tyr-d-Ala-Gly-Phe-d-Nle-Arg-Phe (DADN), a more stable derivative of the endogenous opiate Met-enkephalin related peptide Met⁵-enkephalin-Arg⁶-Phe⁷ were investigated in mice. The behavioral experiments consisted of monitoring the horizontal (square crossing) and vertical (rearing) locomotion in the open field system. To evaluate the effect of the heptapeptide on the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, the plasma corticosterone level was measured. DADN induced dose-dependent increases in locomotion and rearing 30 min after intracerebroventricular injection and also elicited marked activation of the hormonal stress response. To elucidate the receptors involved in the mediation of these actions, animals were pretreated with the nonselective opioid antagonist naloxone, the selective κ-receptor antagonist nor-binaltorphimine or the μ₁-receptor blocker naloxonazine. Both the HPA activation and the behavioral responses were diminished by the preadministration of naloxone. Nor-binaltorphimine did not display a significant effect, while naloxonazine completely abolished the hyperactivity and the corticosterone elevation elicited by the analog. These findings suggest that μ-receptors predominate in the mediation of the neuroendocrine actions of DADN, while κ-receptors do not play a significant role.     

Behavioral and neuroendocrine actions of the Met-enkephalin-related peptide MERF

The effects and the mediation of the action of the proenkephalin derivative Met(5)-enkephalin-Arg(6)-Phe(7) (MERF) on the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) system and open-field behavior were investigated in mice. Intracerebroventricular injection of the heptapeptide increased square crossing, rearing, and plasma corticosterone level. To characterize the receptors involved in these neuroendocrine processes, animals were pretreated either with the nonselective opioid antagonist naloxone or the kappa-antagonist nor-binaltorphimine (nor-BNI). Both antagonists dose-dependently attenuated the HPA activation elicited by MERF. Naloxone also blocked the behavioral responses, but nor-binaltorphimine did not elicit a significant inhibition. The dopamine antagonist haloperidol and a corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) antagonist were also preadministered to shed light on the transmission of the actions of MERF. Both the motor responses and the HPA activation were diminished by the preadministration of the CRH antagonist, while haloperidol attenuated only square crossing and rearing. To investigate the direct effect of MERF on the dopaminergic system, dopamine release of striatal slices was measured in a superfusion system. Neither the basal nor the electric impulse-evoked dopamine release was modified by MERF. The results suggest that opioid-mediation predominate in the neuroendocrine actions of MERF, and the effect of the heptapeptide on the HPA system seems to be mediated by kappa-receptors. In the behavioral responses evoked by MERF, both CRH release and the action of the dopaminergic neurons of the subcortical motor system might be involved. MERF also appears to activate the paraventricular CRH neurons, but dopaminergic transmission does not seem to play a significant role in its hypothalamic action.     

Antisense oligodeoxynucleotide effects on the hypothalamic-neurohypophysial system and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis

The possibility of sequence-dependent, transient, and local inhibition of neuropeptide or neuropeptide receptor expression within the brain makes antisense targeting an attractive approach for those interested in the involvement of brain neuropeptide systems in behavioral and neuroendocrine regulation. Here, I describe our attempts to manipulate the synthetic activity of peptidergic systems of the hypothalamic-neurohypophysial system, i.e. , oxytocin and vasopressin, and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis by antisense oligodeoxynucleotides. Detailed experimental protocols including different approaches for intracerebral antisense application in anesthetized or conscious rats are provided. As a consequence of local oxytocin or vasopressin antisense treatment within the hypothalamic supraoptic nucleus, various aspects of the neuronal activity are already altered after a few hours. Thus, we monitored electrophysiological parameters of oxytocinergic and vasopressinergic neurons, stimulus-induced expression of the Fos protein in oxytocin neurons, and stimulated release of oxytocin or vasopressin into blood as well as within the hypothalamus by dendrites and cell bodies as measured by simultaneous microdialysis in blood and brain, shortly after a single acute antisense infusion. We also employed chronic antisense infusion via osmotic minipumps or by repeated local infusion into the targeted brain region; for example, septal vasopressin receptor downregulation impairs the ability of male rats to discriminate between juvenile rats. Further, reduction of the amount of available CRH, vasopressin, and oxytocin within the hypothalamic paraventricular nuclei alters the neuroendocrine stress response of the HPA axis.