DISTRIBUTION OF GAMMA-AMINOBUTYRIC ACID (GABA) IN THE RAT HYPOTHALAMUS: FUNCTIONAL CORRELATES OF GABA WITH ACTIVITIES OF APPETITE CONTROLLING MECHANISMS

—In the hypothalamus, the highest GABA content (approx. 26 nmol/mm³) was constantly observed in the lateral hypothalamic area (LHA). In other parts of the hypothalamus uneven distribution of GABA was also observed, but areas showing high concentration of GABA did not coincide with the locations of various hypothalamic nuclei. In the LHA, which is known to contain a feeding centre, the anterior part (6.4 and 6.0 mm anterior (A 6.4 and A 6.0) respectively to the vertical zero plane of de Groot) showed a remarkably high content of GABA. The GABA content in the LHA at A 6.4 was decreased during the initial phase of insulin hypoglycemia and, in contrast, showed a significant increase following hyperglycemia induced by alloxan administration. In the ventromedial nucleus (VMH) of the hypothalamus, which is known to contain a satiety centre, the GABA content was increased during the initial phase of insulin hypoglycemia. The results suggest that both certain parts of the LHA and VMH contain or receive GABA-inhibitory neurons and that these neurons may play important physiological roles in controlling functional states of the feeding and satiety centres in the hypothalamus.     

Effects of stimulation of hypothalamic “feeding areas” on endocrines and metabolism in normal and diabetic monkeys

Electrical stimulation of hypothalamic “feeding areas” (VMH & LHA) through stereotaxically implanted electrodes was carried out in normal and streptozotocinized diabetic conscious male rhesus monkeys. In normal monkeys, the VMH stimulation resulted in a significant decrease in serum insulin and blood glucose while opposite responses were observed following LHA stimulation. Serum growth hormone, FFA and plasma cortisol levels increased significantly on stimulation of LHA and VMH in normal animals. The pattern of blood glucose and serum growth hormone responses to stimulation of “feeding areas” was similar in normal and diabetic animals. The serum insulin, FFA and plasma cortisol were largely unaffected while growth hormone increased significantly by stimulation of these areas in diabetes. The present study indicates that the stimulation of “feeding areas” does not alter the diabetic syndrome significantly nor does diabetes prevent the changes in metabolism seen after stimulation of “feeding areas.”     

Cell activation in the hypothalamus after exposure to an antigen (based on c-fos gene expression)

Increase of the c-fos mRNA positive cells number was insignificant in 30 min. following activation of the rat hypothalamic structures with the tetanus toxoid (TT). Elevation of the c-fos mRNA positive cells number occurred in the hypothalamic' posterior (PHA), lateral (LHA), anterior (AHA), areas dorsomedial (DMH), and ventromedial (VMH) nuclei within 2 hours of the TT administration. In 6 hours the c-fos mRNA positive cells number decreased in PHA, LHA, DMH. The c-fos mRNA expression was stable in arquate and supraoptic hypothalamic nuclei following either the TT or saline administration.     

Diurnal Profiles of Blood Glucose in Relation to Time of Administration of Melatonin in Male Spotted Munia (Lonchura punctulata)

The study was aimed at demonstration of the effect of a single acute dose of melatonin (0.5 mg/ 100 g body wt.) on the diurnal profile of blood glucose in male spotted munia in relation to the administration of hormone at the onset of light (i.e., at 06.00 h) or at the onset of darkness (i.e., at 18.00 h) under natural photoperiodic (~12L : 12D) conditions. Blood samples from all birds belonging to the control, sham-control (administered only with the vehicle of hormone, i.e., ethanol-saline 1:9 v/v), and melatonin treated groups were collected at four time points, i.e. 06.00 h, 12.00 h, 18.00 h, and 24.00 h, in a 24 hour cycle. The blood glucose levels in control and sham-control birds showed marked variation with regard to the time of sampling, with a mid-day peak and morning nadir. Exogenous melatonin induced a significant alteration in this diurnal pattern of blood glucose with a marked variation in relation to the time of administration of melatonin. While morning administration of melatonin resulted in hypoglycemia at 12.00 h and 24.00 h and hyperglycemia at 18.00 h, the response to evening injection of melatonin was only hypoglycemic at 24.00 h leaving the glycemic values at other time-points almost unaltered compared to the blood glucose levels in control and sham-control munias. The results of this investigation demonstrate for the first time that a schedule of morning administration of melatonin induces a more broad range of variations in the blood glucose levels than a schedule of evening administration does.     

Diurnal Profiles of Blood Glucose in Relation to Time of Administration of Melatonin in Male Spotted Munia (Lonchura punctulata)

The study was aimed at demonstration of the effect of a single acute dose of melatonin (0.5 mg/ 100 g body wt.) on the diurnal profile of blood glucose in male spotted munia in relation to the administration of hormone at the onset of light (i.e., at 06.00 h) or at the onset of darkness (i.e., at 18.00 h) under natural photoperiodic (~12L : 12D) conditions. Blood samples from all birds belonging to the control, sham-control (administered only with the vehicle of hormone, i.e., ethanol-saline 1:9 v/v), and melatonin treated groups were collected at four time points, i.e. 06.00 h, 12.00 h, 18.00 h, and 24.00 h, in a 24 hour cycle. The blood glucose levels in control and sham-control birds showed marked variation with regard to the time of sampling, with a mid-day peak and morning nadir. Exogenous melatonin induced a significant alteration in this diurnal pattern of blood glucose with a marked variation in relation to the time of administration of melatonin. While morning administration of melatonin resulted in hypoglycemia at 12.00 h and 24.00 h and hyperglycemia at 18.00 h, the response to evening injection of melatonin was only hypoglycemic at 24.00 h leaving the glycemic values at other time-points almost unaltered compared to the blood glucose levels in control and sham-control munias. The results of this investigation demonstrate for the first time that a schedule of morning administration of melatonin induces a more broad range of variations in the blood glucose levels than a schedule of evening administration does.     

下丘脑LHA-VMH Ghrelin信号通路对肥胖大鼠摄食选择、胃肠道运动及自发活动的影响及机制研究

目的:探究下丘脑外侧区(LHA)-腹内侧核(VMH)ghrelin信号通路对肥胖大鼠的摄食选择、胃肠道运动及自发活动的影响。方法:采用免疫组织化学方法检测大鼠LHA中ghrelin受体的表达;观察LHA注射ghrelin对大鼠摄食选择胃肠道运动及自发活动的影响;电损毁VMH,观察LHA注射ghrelin对大鼠摄食的影响。结果:免疫组化结果显示,大鼠下丘脑LHA中存在ghrelin受体,且LHA-VMH之间存在纤维投射;大鼠LHA微量注射ghrelin后,肥胖(DIO)大鼠及肥胖抵抗(DR)大鼠的正常饮食、高脂饮食及高糖饮食均高于正常大鼠,但预注射ghrelin受体拮抗剂[D-Lys3]-GHRP-6 (DLS)能够阻断这种作用;而电损毁大鼠VMH,显著减弱了ghrelin对正常大鼠、DIO大鼠及DR大鼠的促摄食作用。大鼠LHA微量注射ghrelin后,正常大鼠、DIO大鼠及DR大鼠的自发活动中,X轴、Y轴方向上的活动增加,且总活动增加,但Z轴方向上活动无明显改变;此外,LHA注射ghrelin,DIO大鼠及DR大鼠的胃肠道转运速率明显加快,且DR大鼠胃肠道转运速率增加更为明显,而预注射ghrelin受体拮抗剂[D-Lys3]-GHRP-6(DLS)显著阻断ghrelin的促胃肠道转运作用。结论:下丘脑LHA-VMH ghrelin信号通路参与调节正常大鼠、DIO及DR大鼠的摄食选择、胃肠道运动及自发活动。     

Detailed profile of prolactin secretion in the immature female rat: evidence for the existence of an ultradian rhythm

The detailed profile of prolactin (PRL) secretion in 22-24 and 29-31 days old female rats was investigated by serial blood sampling through an intracardiac cannula at 15-min intervals for each of the 9 or 10-h periods beginning at 09.00 or 10.00 and 22.00 h. By analysis of the power spectrum and the least squares method the time series of PRL concentrations which were measured by RIA were found to have approximately a 3-h period ultradian rhythm in either sampling period of both the 22-24 and 29-31 days old rats. The peak times calculated based on the acrophase estimated through the calculation of periodicity were concentrated around 12.00, 15.00 and 18.00 h for the sampling period 10.00-19.00, and 24.00, 03.00 and 06.00 h for the sampling period 22.00-07.00 h. However, in more than half of the animals at 22-24 days of age, one secretory episode around 12.00 h, and two secretory episodes around 24.00 and 03.00 h had markedly small amplitudes, making the remaining secretory episodes distinct diurnal and nocturnal surges, respectively. In the animals at 29-31 days of age, the amplitudes of the PRL episodes occurring around 12.00 h were markedly small, making the remaining two episodes as diurnal surges, whereas the amplitudes of PRL secretory episodes during the period 22.00-07.00 h were analogous to each other. These findings indicate that the semicircadian rhythm of PRL secretion is established on the basis of PRL secretion with the 3.0-h period ultradian rhythm.     

The effect of long-term administration of low oral doses of chlormadinone acetate on heat cycles and ovarian functions in beef heifers

Chlormadinone acetate (CAP) was given orally for 42 days to four groups of 15 regularly cycling Hereford heifers in Central Mexico (19°N, altitude 2200 m). The CAP doses (0.625; 1.25 and 2.5 mg/day per animal) represent 1/16th, 1/8th and 1/4th, respectively, of the cycle synchronizing dose of 10 mg. Heat was observed for 1 hour at 06.00, 12.00 and 18.00 h and animals in heat were rectally palpated at 6 h intervals until ovulation had occurred. Observations continued for the duration of the treatment period and 26 days thereafter. CAP treatment had significant effects. With 2.5 mg, occurrence of the next heat was delayed in 8 and inhibited in 6 animals; nine animals had synchronized heat after CAP withdrawal; five animals did not ovulate but developed luteinized follicles; animals not cycling had prolonged periods of vulvar swelling. With 1.25 mg CAP, most animals continued cycling, but estrous intervals were prolonged and 3 animals developed luteinized follicles. With 0.625 mg CAP, only a slight prolongation in estrous intervals and of the heat periods was observed.Individual differences in response to CAP were marked in all treatment groups. CAP at the higher doses interfered with mechanisms of ovulation and was partially effective in preventing heat and follicular development.In cycling animals the length of the cycle, the duration of heat and the daily variations of the onset of heat were within reported limits. The interval between disappearance of heat symptoms and ovulations (21.23 h) was about twice that reported in the literature. Ovulations followed a daily rhythm with a major peak between 24.00 and 0.600 h and a minor elevation between 12.00 and 18.00 h.     

Ultrastructural circadian variation of mast cells in the pinna of the mouse

It has been found previously under the light microscope that there was a circadian variation in mast cell number in the pinna of mice. The mast cell number was increased at 18.00 h and decreased at 06.00 h. In the current study, 5 mice of each group were synchronized for 4 weeks with a standard lighting regimen (light: 06.00-20.00 h; dark: 20.00-06.00 h). Both pinnas of every mouse of each group were removed at 06.00, 12.00, 18.00 and 24.00 h, respectively. Under the electron microscope, it was observed that more degranulated mast cells were found at 06.00 h and more intact mast cells were visible at 18.00 h. It appeared that the mast cell numbers, decreased and increased under the light microscope, were due to mast cell degradation and regranulation. This finding suggests that a functional circadian variation exists in the mast cell under physiological conditions.     

Spontaneous wheel running in laboratory rats genetically selected for activity level in a novel environment

Wistar rats were genetically selected for either high (+A) or low (-A) locomotor activity level in a new environment. The response to the novelty was tested in all filial generations at the age between 75-80 days of life. Groups of 15 +A male rats selected from the 11th and 12th generations were placed in the individual cages connected with rotation wheels at the age 149 +/- 9 days. For a period of 32 days, the spontaneous wheel running activity was recorded for the time intervals 0.00-6.00 a.m., 6.00-12.00, 12.00-18.00, and 18.00-24.00 h. The -A group exhibited a generally low level of running activity over the entire experimental period, whereas the time of running in the +A tended to increase. Inside the +A group, homogeneous as to the short- term activity level, there gradually differentiated two sub-groups, one with relatively constant medium values and the other which showed an enormous prolongation of the time spent with running. The +A and -A groups differed also in their daily activity rhythm. Whereas the +A rats reached maximum of their activity between 18-24 h., followed by a rapid decrease in the morning hours, the -A animals showed a tendency to a later onset of night-type activity, and a higher level continued to morning hours.     

C-fos gene expression in the rat spinal cord and brain cells during stress and the use of different types of halothane anesthesia

C-fos gene expression was studied as a marker of nervous cells activation in the rat spinal cord and brain cells under different conditions (different kinds of narcosis). Using of 1.5% light halothane narcosis allowed the detection of c-Fos-like proteins expression in the spinal cord cells only. Under initial 1.5% halothane narcosis, c-Fos-like proteins expression in the rat spinal cord (lumbar segments) and the brain cells was observed after placing the rats into the hammock, noxious mechanical stimulation (NMS) or high frequency electromagnetic irradiation of the skin (EHF). The pattern of the brain structures reacting on the NMS by c-Fos proteins expression, was determined. It was shown that NMS increases the c-Fos positive cell quantity in the lateral hypothalamic area (LHA), ventro-medial (VMH), dorso-medial (DMH) hypothalamic nuclei and anterior hypothalamic area (AHN) by 116, 199, 101 and 157% resp., in comparison with the c-Fos immunoreactive cell quantity in intact animals. EHF irradiation of the skin decreased the intensity of c-Fos-like proteins synthesis induced by NMS in the most of the investigated structures (LHA, VMH, DMH and AHA by 32.8, 29, 15 and 33%, resp.). It was shown that only initial halothane narcosis allowed to determine the hypothalamic structures which realized the responses to the NMS, and modification effects of EHF skin irradiation on the intensity of these responses.     

电刺激兔下丘脑不同部位诱发的房性心律失常

在57只麻醉家兔,用同心圆双极电极刺激右侧下丘脑外侧区、前区、后区、背内侧核、腹内侧核五个不同部位,观察到均能诱发房性早搏等房性心律失常,且存在相对特异性。在用1mA 强度电刺激时,以前三个部位的诱发率较高。如预先轻度灼伤右心房后再刺激下丘脑外侧区或前区,可显著提高房性心律失常的发生率,并使诱发房颤等严重房性心律失常的机会有所增加。在同时描记股动脉血压的家兔中,观察到房性心律失常均在血压增高时出现,并以下丘脑后区、前区、外侧区的增压反应较为显著。在下丘脑外侧区增加刺激强度时,房性心律失常的发生率不随增压平均值的增加而递增,与室性心律失常不同。切断双侧颈迷走神经干后再刺激下丘脑同一部位时,原能诱发房性早搏的家兔全部不再诱发,而原能诱发以室性早搏为主的室性心律失常的部分兔仍能发生。这些结果提示,电刺激下丘脑诱发房性心律失常的机制与室性心律失常有所不同。     

Quantitative study of circadian variations in mast cell number in different regions of the mouse

The tongue, pinna and dorsal skin of adult male C-1 mice were removed at 03.00, 06.00, 09.00, 12.00, 15.00, 18.00, 21.00 and 24.00 h, fixed in basic lead acetate and stained with Alcian blue-safranin or 0.5% toluidine blue. The mast cell numbers of these regions were counted and analyzed statistically by analysis of variance. It was found that there were circadian variations in the mast cell number in the tongue, pinna and dorsal skin. The difference between the minimum and maximum of circadian variation in mast cell number in all three regions was highly significant (p less than 0.01). Furthermore, the time points of the maximum and minimum of mast cell number varied between the different regions. The time point of the minimum in the tongue and pinna was at 06.00 h, whereas it was at 09.00 h in the dorsal skin. The time point of the maximum in the tongue and dorsal skin was at 21.00 h, but in the pinna it was at 18.00 h.     

Acute and repeated restraint differentially activate orexigenic pathways in the rat hypothalamus

Stress and obesity are highly prevalent conditions, and the mechanisms through which stress affects food intake are complex. In the present study, stress-induced activation in neuropeptide systems controlling ingestive behavior was determined. Adult male rats were exposed to acute (30 min/d × 1 d) or repeated (30 min/d × 14 d) restraint stress, followed by transcardial perfusion 2 h after the termination of the stress exposure. Brain tissues were harvested, and 30 μm sections through the hypothalamus were immunohistochemically stained for Fos protein, which was then co-localized within neurons staining positively for the type 4 melanocortin receptor (MC4R), the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP1R), or agouti-related peptide (AgRP). Cell counts were performed in the paraventricular (PVH), arcuate (ARC) and ventromedial (VMH) hypothalamic nuclei and in the lateral hypothalamic area (LHA). Fos was significantly increased in all regions except the VMH in acutely stressed rats, and habituated with repeated stress exposure, consistent with previous studies. In the ARC, repeated stress reduced MC4R cell activation while acute restraint decreased activation in GLP1R neurons. Both patterns of stress exposure reduced the number of AgRP-expressing cells that also expressed Fos in the ARC. Acute stress decreased Fos-GLP1R expression in the LHA, while repeated restraint increased the number of Fos-AgRP neurons in this region. The overall profile of orexigenic signaling in the brain is thus enhanced by acute and repeated restraint stress, with repeated stress leading to further increases in signaling, in a region-specific manner. Stress-induced modifications to feeding behavior appear to depend on both the duration of stress exposure and regional activation in the brain. These results suggest that food intake may be increased as a consequence of stress, and may play a role in obesity and other stress-associated metabolic disorders.     

刺激兔下丘脑室旁核诱发的心律失常与增压反应

在60只局麻与肌松剂制动的家兔,观察到用0.1—0.4mA,50Hz,1ms 的方波电刺激下丘脑室旁核(PV)能诱发频发性心律失常(包括室性与室上性期前收缩)及显著的动脉血压升高。与同侧的下丘脑外侧区(LHA)及腹内侧核(VMH)相比,刺激PV诱发期前收缩的次数更为频繁,增压反应幅度较大,且所需阈值亦较低。较低强度刺激LHA 在部分兔能引起血压下降与心率减慢,而PV 则一致地诱发增压反应。电刺激腓深神经能抑制刺激PV诱发的期前收缩,但在中脑中央灰质微量注射吗啡或电解毁损只能完全阻断刺激VMH诱发的期前收缩,而不能完全阻断PV诱发的期前收缩。这些结果提示,PV是下丘脑中诱发心律失常与血压增高的高反应区之一,并且可能具有不同于LHA或VMH的神经机制或下行神经通路。     

Changes in beta-endorphin content in discrete areas of the hypothalamus throughout proestrus and diestrus of the rat

The aim of the present study is to investigate changes in beta-endorphin content in the hypothalamus during different stages of the estrous cycle. Groups of 9 to 10 Sprague-Dawley rats were sacrificed every two hours on proestrus from 8.00 to 18.00 h and groups of 7 to 8 rats were sacrificed on diestrus at 8.00, 12.00, 14.00 and 18.00 h. Preoptic suprachiasmatic region, posterior hypothalamus, arcuate nucleus and median eminence were dissected and assayed for beta-endorphin. A significant increase in beta-endorphin content was detected in the arcuate nucleus during proestrus (9.00 h: 1.76 +/- .31; 14.00 h: 4.10 +/- .85 microgram/g tissue wet weight). Levels did not change during diestrus (1.18 +/- .06 microgram/g). The increase caused significant differences in beta-endorphin values between both days at 12.00, 14.00 and 18.00 h, while the concentrations at 8.00 h were similar. The opposite pattern was observed in the median eminence with significantly higher proestrous beta-endorphin levels at 8.00 h (11.24 +/- 3.1 vs 3.52 +/- .64 microgram/g) and nonsignificant differences for the rest of the day. No significant change in beta-endorphin concentration was seen in the preoptic suprachiasmatic region over the day of proestrus (1.35 +/- .09 microgram/g). Diestrous beta-endorphin concentrations in this region were higher during the morning (2.60 +/- .65 microgram/g) and lower at 18.00 h (0.94 +/- .12 microgram/g) when compared to proestrous values. This pattern was caused by a 50% increase in beta-endorphin during the afternoon of diestrus. No changes were observed in the posterior hypothalamus on either day with comparable levels of beta-endorphin except at 18.00 h, when values were significantly higher on proestrus (1.66 +/- .30 vs 0.83 +/- .06 microgram/g).     

Renal excretion and saline intake during post-stress immobilization period in rats

An experiment in which the rats access either to 0.5% or 1.5% saline was designed in order to further characterise the relationship between sodium intake and renal excretion after acute immobilization stress. A saline solution for 3 days was provided to the rats previous to the experimental day. On that day, after finishing acute immobilization stress, all variables under observation were measured every 6 h for 24 h. These periods were denominated as follows: T1 (12.00 to 18.00 h), T2 (18.00 to 24.00 h), T3 (24.00 to 06.00 h) and T4 (06.00 to 12.00 h). Acute immobilization stress reduced sodium renal excretion in both T1 and T2. Sodium intake in acute immobilization stress rats was lower than in control rats during all observed periods, while the urine volume was only reduced in the stressed animals in T1. These results were similar in both saline solution concentrations. A good correlation was observed between sodium intake and sodium excretion in control rats having access to either 0.5% or 1.5% saline as well as in stressed rats having access to 0.5% saline, this correlation was not observed in stressed rats with 1.5% saline. This suggests that stress impaired the renal capability of rats to handle high sodium but not a slight sodium overload. The inability of the kidney to excrete sodium may be critical to reduce sodium intake after acute immobilization stress.     

Expression of dopaminergic receptors in the hypothalamus of lean and obese Zucker rats and food intake

As revealed by previous microdialysis studies, basal and food intake-accompanied dopamine release significantly differs in the hypothalamus of obese vs. lean Zucker rats. In the present study, we determined whether dopaminergic receptors are also compromised in obesity. Dopaminergic D(1) and D(2) receptor mRNA expression was studied in the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH), lateral hypothalamic area (LHA), and the adenohypophysis (AH) of obese and lean Zucker rats using RT-PCR technique. In obese Zucker rats, we found an upregulation of D(1) receptor mRNA in the VMH and AH and a downregulation in the LHA, whereas D(2) receptor mRNA was downregulated in both the VMH and LHA, but not changed in the AH, compared with lean rats. Also, an increase of D(1) receptor staining was seen in the paraventricular nucleus of obese rats by immunohistochemistry. We selected the VMH to test if the observed changes in the dopamine receptor expression of obese rats induce behavioral sensitization to dopamine as expressed by hyperphagia. The overnight food-deprived rats received a single VMH injection (10 nmol) of sulpiride (D(2) receptor antagonist) or saline as control, then food was provided and 1-h food intake was measured. Food intake after sulpiride vs. saline injection was greater in obese rats but was not different in lean rats. Our data suggest that downregulation of D(2) receptor in the hypothalamus at least in the VMH induces behavior sensitization for having large meals. Low D(2) receptor expression may be causal for an exaggerated dopamine release observed in obese rats during food ingestion and for reduced satiety feedback effect of dopamine. High level of D(1) receptor expression in the VMH and low in the LHA may also contribute to the specific feeding pattern in obese rats represented by large meal size and low meal number.     

Hypothalamic administration of cAMP agonist/PKA activator inhibits both schedule feeding and NPY-induced feeding in rats

Following central administration, neuropeptides that decrease the level of cAMP induce feeding. Conversely, cAMP activating neuropeptides tend to elicit satiety. When the inhibitory effect of neuropeptide Y (NPY) on the hypothalamic cAMP production was blocked by pertussis toxin, the potent orexigenic effect of NPY was lost. These findings suggest that there may be a link between hypothalamic cAMP and the central regulation of food intake. In this report, we show that the injection of the membrane-permeable cAMP agonist, adenosine-3',5'-cyclic monophosphorothioate Sp-isomer (Sp-cAMP), into perifornical hypothalamus (PFH) significantly inhibited schedule-induced and NPY-induced food intake for up to 4h. This inhibitory effect was normalized within 24h. A taste aversion could not be conditioned to Sp-cAMP treatment, suggesting that the anorectic response was not due to malaise. Sp-cAMP administration significantly increased the active protein kinase A (PKA) activity in dorsomedial (DMH) and ventromedial (VMH), but not in lateral (LH) hypothalamus. Consistently, food deprivation lowered, while refeeding normalized endogenous cAMP content in DMH and VMH, but not in LH areas. No significant effect of adenosine-3',5'-cyclic monophosphorothioate Rp-isomer (Rp-cAMP, cAMP antagonist) was observed on hypothalamic PKA activity, schedule-induced, or NPY-induced food intake. These findings suggest that the increase in cAMP level and PKA activity in DMH and VMH areas may trigger a satiety signal.