Beta-adrenoceptor activity change after prolonged treatment with growth hormone and somatostatin.

1. The effect of 10 days treatment with growth hormone (GH) (1 mg/kg body wt/day) and somatostatin (SRIF) (0.25 mg/kg body wt/day) subcutaneously on the activity of beta-adrenoceptors in rat hypothalamic, pituitary and cerebral cortical membrane fractions was studied using [3H]dihydroalprenolol ([3H]DHA) as radioligand. 2. The administration of GH significantly increased the beta-adrenoceptor binding affinity and the administration of SRIF decreased the beta-adrenoceptor binding capacity in the hypothalamus. 3. In the pituitary the beta-adrenoceptor binding affinity was significantly decreased after both hormonal applications. 4. In the cerebral cortex the beta-adrenoceptor binding affinity was significantly decreased after the GH treatment and increased after the SRIF treatment. 5. The present study provides direct evidence for GH and SRIF effects on the activity of rat beta-adrenoceptors and supports the view about the involvement of beta-adrenergic mechanisms in the neurotransmitter regulation of GH secretion in the rat.     

Beta-adrenoceptor activity change after prolonged treatment with growth hormone and somatostatin

1. The effect of 10 days treatment with growth hormone (GH) (l mg/kg body wt/day) and somatostatin (SRIF) (0.25 mg/kg body wt/day) subcutaneously on the activity of β-adrenoceptors in rat hypothalamic, pituitary and cerebral cortical membrane fractions was studied using [³H]dihydroalprenolol ([³H]DHA) as radioligand.2. The administration of GH significantly increased the β-adrenoceptor binding affinity and the administration of SRIF decreased the β-adrenoceptor binding capacity in the hypothalamus.3. In the pituitary the β-adrenoceptor binding affinity was significantly decreased after both hormonal applications.4. In the cerebral cortex the β-adrenoceptor binding affinity was significantly decreased after the GH treatment and increased after the SRIF treatment.5. The present study provides direct evidence for GH and SRIF effects on the activity of rat β-adrenoceptors and supports the view about the involvement of β-adrenergic mechanisms in the neurotransmitter regulation of GH secretion in the rat.     

Alteration of somatostatin but not growth hormone-releasing factor pituitary binding sites in obese Zucker rats.

The present study was designed to determine whether the diminution of growth hormone (GH) secretion that occurs in obese Zucker rats is related to alterations of GH-releasing factor (GRF) or somatostatin (SRIF) pituitary binding sites. Cold saturation studies were performed in pituitary homogenates of 4-month-old lean and obese rats, using [125I-Tyr10]hGRF(1-44)NH2 as radioligand and [127I-Tyr10]hGRF-(1-44)NH2 as competitor, and in pituitary membrane preparations, using [125I-Tyr0, D-Trp8]SRIF14 as radioligand and [127I-Tyr0, D-Trp8]SRIF14 as competitor. In lean rats, analysis of the curves by the Ligand program revealed the presence of two distinct classes of GRF binding sites, the first being of high affinity (0.74 +/- 0.11 nM) and low capacity (118 +/- 31 fmol/mg protein), the second being of lower affinity (880 +/- 240 nM) and higher capacity (140 +/- 35 pmol/mg protein), and of a single class of SRIF binding sites (affinity: 0.40 +/- 0.12 nM; capacity: 24 +/- 6 fmol/mg protein). In obese rats, no difference was observed in GRF binding parameters for both classes of sites, but the concentration of somatostatin binding sites was reduced by 67% when compared to their lean littermates. These findings suggest that the SRIF pituitary receptors are down-regulated in obese Zucker rats and indicate that no alteration of GRF pituitary binding sites contribute to the blunted GH secretion observed in this model of obesity.     

Reduced Somatostatin in Hypothalamus of Young Male Mouse Increases Local but not Circulatory GH

The release of growth hormone (GH) from the pituitary gland is primarily inhibited by somatostatin (SRIF) from the hypothalamus via interactions with five types of SRIF receptors (SSTRs). However, the inhibition mechanism of SRIF on GH has not been fully examined. In this study, we repressed the hypothalamic SRIF in young male mice by stereotaxic injection of the lentiviral-shRNA against SRIF to investigate the role of hypothalamic SRIF on hormone secretion in the GH/IGF-1 axis. We found that the reduction of SRIF in hypothalamus was associated with an increase in the protein, but not the mRNA level, of the GH in the pituitary where SSTR 2 and SSTR 5 act importantly. Interestingly, the level of blood circulatory SRIF, GH, IGF-1 and the body weight were not significantly influenced by the downregulation of hypothalamic SRIF. Our findings provide insights into the mechanisms underlying the inhibition of SRIF on GH secretion.     

Effect of testosterone on carboxypeptidase H activity in the murine hypothalamus and hypophysis

Effects of single intraperitoneal administration of testosterone propionate (3 or 30 mg/kg body weight) on activity of carboxypeptidase H in pituitary body and hypothalamus of female white mouse were studied. It was found that testosterone propionate treatment (3 and 30 mg/kg body weight) increased the carboxypeptidase H activity in pituitary through 0.5 hour and it decreased one in 24 hours after treatment. The carboxypeptidase H activity in hypothalamus was lower as compared with control animals in 24 hours after testosterone propionate treatment in the dose 3 mg/kg body weight. However, the carboxypeptidase H activity in hypothalamus was lower in 0.5 and 24 hours and it was higher in 4 h after testosterone propionate treatment in the dose 30 mg/kg body weight as compared with the control. These data suggest that testosterone affects the carboxypeptidase H activity by changing the level of enzyme gene expression.     

Prenatal Diazepam Exposure Affects β-Adrenergic Receptors in Brain Regions of Adult Rat Offspring

The postnatal development of [3H]dihydroalprenolol binding to beta-adrenergic receptors has been studied in frontal cortex, cerebellum, striatum, and hypothalamus of the rat after prenatal and perinatal exposure to diazepam. Dams were injected subcutaneously with single daily doses of 1 mg of diazepam/kg from day 7 to 20 of gestation or from day 15 of gestation to day 6 after birth. Prenatal exposure had no effect on litter size or length of gestation or on the postnatal development of body and brain weights of the progeny. However, a reduced mortality of the pups was observed in relation to vehicle-treated controls until postnatal day 10. Prenatal diazepam administration decreased [3H]dihydroalprenolol binding in frontal cortex, striatum, and hypothalamus but not in cerebellum. This decrease in beta-adrenergic receptor binding was due to a decrease in receptor density rather than in receptor affinity. In contrast, perinatal diazepam exposure led to a transient decrease in [3H]dihydroalprenolol binding limited to the frontal cortex. The permanent reduction in number of beta-adrenergic receptors, which depends on the scaling and duration of the drug application period, points to the necessity of a prolonged evaluation of effects of exposure to psychotropic drugs in early stages of brain development.     

Identification of Muscarinic Receptors in Rat Cerebral Cortical Microvessels

Microvessels isolated from rat cerebral cortex consist mainly of capillaries (greater than 85%). Fresh, intact microvessel preparations have been analyzed by radioligand binding techniques for muscarinic receptors. Scatchard analysis of specific quinuclidinyl benzilate (QNB) binding indicates that microvessels possess a large number of muscarinic sites (914 fmol/mg protein) of high affinity (KD = 0.034 nM). The association and dissociation rate constants (0.37 min-1 nM-1 and 0.0067 min-1, respectively) yield an equilibrium KD of 0.018 nM. Displacement of [3H]QNB by muscarinic ligands and control substances is typical of muscarinic receptors. The results indicate that cerebral microvessels possess a large population of muscarinic receptors.     

The effects of ovarian hormones on beta-adrenergic and muscarinic receptors in rat heart

The in vitro and in vivo effects of estrogen and progesterone on muscarinic and beta-adrenergic receptors of cardiac tissue were studied in ovariectomized (OVX) rats. The binding assay for muscarinic receptors was performed under a nonequilibrium condition; whereas the binding assay for beta-adrenergic receptors, under an equilibrium condition. Estrogenic compounds and progesterone were found to have no effect on the binding of the radioligand, [3H]-dihydroalprenolol, to beta-adrenergic receptors in vitro. However, progestins but not estrogenic compounds inhibited the binding of the radioligand, [3H]-quinuclidinyl benzilate, to muscarinic receptors in vitro, with progesterone as the most potent inhibitor (IC50 = 37 microM, apparent Ki = 13 microM). Progesterone was found to decrease the apparent affinity of muscarinic receptors for [3H](-)QNB in vitro. Daily treatment of OVX rats with estradiol benzoate (4 micrograms) or progesterone (2.5 mg) for 4 days had no effect on the muscarinic or beta-adrenergic receptors with respect to the binding affinity and receptor density. However, administrations of these hormones together for 4 days caused an increase in the receptor density of muscarinic receptors without a significant effect on their apparent binding affinity; also these hormones induced a decrease in the binding affinity and an increase in the receptor density of beta-adrenergic receptors. The results of this study demonstrate that progestins are capable of interacting with the cardiac muscarinic receptors in vitro, and indicate that estrogen and progesterone have a synergistic effect to increase the receptor densities of muscarinic and beta-adrenergic receptors as well as to cause a decrease in the binding affinity of beta-adrenergic receptors in vivo.     

Characterization of 17-beta-estradiol-dependent and -independent somatostatin receptor subtypes in rat anterior pituitary

Previous studies from this laboratory showed that treatment with 17-beta-estradiol (E2) caused an acquisition of inhibitory effect of somatostatin (SRIF) on prolactin release with an increased number of SRIF-binding sites in the rat anterior pituitary. The aim of this study was to characterize the E2-dependent SRIF receptor in comparison with the E2-independent one, which was expressed in ovariectomized rats. The following observations were obtained: 1) both of the E2-dependent and E2-independent SRIF receptors, measured with 125I-Tyr11-SRIF as a radiolabeled ligand, were enriched in the plasma membrane fraction of the cells, displaying a single class of binding site (E2-dependent: Kd, 32 pM, Bmax, 2.3 pmol/mg protein; E2-independent: Kd, 83 pM, Bmax, 0.26 pmol/mg protein). The ligand binding to both receptors was sensitive to monovalent and divalent cations, and GTP. 2) Among the SRIF analogs tested, the relative potencies of SRIF28 and its analog and cyclosomatostatin compared with SRIF were lower in the E2-dependent receptor than in the E2-independent one. 3) A cross-linking study with N-hydroxysuccinimidyl-4-azido-benzoate revealed that the molecular weight of the cross-linked E2-dependent receptor was approximately 94,000, whereas that of the E2-independent one was 82,000, irrespective of the presence of a reducing reagent. The molecular weight of SRIF receptor from normal male or female rat pituitary was similar to the E2-independent type. 4) Both types of the cross-linked SRIF receptors were solubilized by sucrose monolaurate, adsorbed to a wheat germ agglutinin-agarose column, and eluted with N-acetyl-glucosamine. 5) SRIF inhibited the forskolin-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity in the pituitary membranes from E2-treated rats, but it did not in the E2-depleted membranes. These results demonstrate that there are at least two subtypes of SRIF receptor in the rat anterior pituitary, one of which is exclusively expressed by the treatment with E2, and that these subtypes are distinct with respect to ligand binding specificity, molecular weight, and coupling to adenylate cyclase inhibition.     

Identification of M2 muscarinic receptors in membranes from bovine cerebral basal arteries

Muscarinic receptors were identified in membrane preparations from bovine cerebral arteries by the specific binding of [3H]-quinuclidinyl benzilate. The total amount of binding sites is relatively high: 1.5 pmol/mg protein, as compared to 0.91 pmol/mg for bovine cerebral cortex and 0.08 pmol/mg for heart muscle. In this study we show that the majority of these sites correspond to M2-receptors: 84% of the sites display low affinity for pirenzepine. In addition, GTP causes a rightward shift and steepening of the carbachol competition binding curve. In the presence of GTP, the alkylating reagent N-ethylmaleimide causes a 28-fold increase of the affinity for carbachol. This phenomenon is also observed on bovine heart membranes where muscarinic receptors are known to be of the M2 type. In contrast, muscarinic receptors in cerebral cortex, predominantly of the M1-type, show only a 4-fold increase in agonist affinity by N-ethylmaleimide. These findings suggest that the ability of N-ethylmaleimide to modulate the agonist affinity is an additional criterion for the characterization of muscarinic M2-type receptors.     

Structural analysis and functional role of the carbohydrate component of somatostatin receptors.

SRIF receptors are membrane-bound glycoproteins. To structurally identify the carbohydrate components of SRIF receptors, solubilized rat brain SRIF receptors were subjected to lectin affinity chromatography. Solubilized SRIF receptors specifically bound to wheat germ agglutinin-lectin affinity columns but not to succinylated wheat germ agglutinin. This finding, as well as the ability of the solubilized receptor to interact with a Sambucus nigra L. lectin affinity column suggested that sialic acid residues are associated with SRIF receptors. The inability of the receptor to bind to concanavalin A, Dolichus biflorus agglutinin, Ulex europeaus I, and Jacalin lectin affinity columns suggests that high mannose, N-acetylgalactosamine, fucose, and O-linked carbohydrates are not associated with receptor. To investigate the functional role of the carbohydrate groups in brain SRIF receptors, specific sugars were selectively cleaved from SRIF receptors and the subsequent effect on the specific high affinity binding of the agonist [125I]MK 678 to SRIF receptors was determined. Treatment of the receptor with endoglycosidase D did not affect the specific binding of [125I] MK 678 to the solubilized SRIF receptors, consistent with the finding from lectin affinity chromatography that high mannose-type carbohydrate structures were not associated with SRIF receptors. Treatment of solubilized SRIF receptors with peptide-N-glycosidase F and endoglycosidases H and F reduced [125I]MK 678 binding to SRIF receptors indicating that either hybrid, or a combination of hybrid and complex N-linked carbohydrate structures, have a role in maintaining the receptor in a high affinity state for agonists. Treatment of solubilized SRIF receptors with neuraminidase from Vibrio cholera abolished high affinity agonist binding to the receptors, whereas treatment of the receptor with neuraminidase from Newcastle disease virus did not affect [125I]MK 678 binding to the receptor. These findings suggest that sialic acid residues in an alpha 2,6-configuration have a role in maintaining the SRIF receptor in a high affinity conformation for agonists. This is further indicated by studies on SRIF receptors in the pituitary tumor cell line, AtT-20. Treatment of AtT-20 cells in culture with neuraminidase (V. cholera) greatly reduces high affinity [125I] MK 678 binding sites, but did not alter the maximal ability of SRIF to inhibit forskolin-stimulated cAMP accumulation in intact AtT-20 cells. This finding suggests that the desialylated SRIF receptor is functionally active and remains coupled to GTP-binding proteins, but exhibits a reduced affinity for agonists. Treatment of AtT-20 cell membranes with neuraminidase from V. cholera was also able to greatly reduce the affinity of SRIF receptors for [125I]MK 678.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Somatostatin pretreatment increases the number of somatostatin receptors in GH4C1 pituitary cells and does not reduce cellular responsiveness to somatostatin

The GH4C1 pituitary cell line contains specific plasma membrane receptors for the inhibitory neuropeptide somatostatin (SRIF). Unlike other peptides which bind to cell surface receptors on these cells, SRIF is not rapidly internalized via receptor-mediated endocytosis. Here we examined the effects of chronic SRIF pretreatment on the subsequent ability of GH4C1 cells to bind and respond to this hormone. Treatment of cells with 100 nM SRIF increased [125I-Tyr1]SRIF binding to a maximum value of 220% of control after 20 h. Scatchard analysis demonstrated that the number, but not the affinity, of the receptors was altered. The effect of SRIF was dose-dependent (ED50 = 2.3 +/- 0.4 nM), was not mimicked by an inactive analog, and was specific for the SRIF receptor. Furthermore, pretreatment of cells with other agents, which mimic SRIF's action to decrease intracellular cAMP and free Ca2+ concentrations, did not mimic the SRIF-induced increase in receptor number. Thus, occupancy of the SRIF receptor was required for SRIF receptor up-regulation. Inhibition of protein synthesis with cycloheximide did not prevent the SRIF-induced increase in receptors, consistent with an effect of SRIF to either reduce receptor degradation or cause slow redistribution of preexisting receptors to the plasma membrane. In contrast to the effects on receptor binding, pretreating cells with SRIF did not alter either basal cAMP levels or the potency of SRIF to inhibit cAMP accumulation (ED50 = 0.5 +/- 0.2 nM). However, the maximum cAMP produced by stimulators of adenylyl cyclase was increased. The observation that chronic SRIF exposure did not cause homologous desensitization in GH4C1 cells and increased rather than decreased SRIF receptor number is consistent with the fact that this neuropeptide is not rapidly internalized by receptor-mediated endocytosis.     

Chronic neuroleptic treatment specifically alters the number of dopamine receptors in rat brain

Trifluoperazine dihydrochloride (2.8–4.0 mg/kg/day) was administered continuously to rats in drinking water for six months. Animals killed at this time exhibited an increase in the number of dopamine receptors in the striatum and mesolimbic area, with a corresponding decrease in affinity (increase in the dissociation constant) for ³H-spiperone binding. In frontal cortex, ³H-spiperone binding to 5-HT receptors indicated no apparent change in numbers of receptors, but a slight increase in the dissociation constant. There was no obvious alteration in ³H-apomorphine binding in the striatum and mesolimbic area, but the individual results were very variable. The number and binding affinity of muscarinic receptors in striatum, mesolimbic area and cerebral cortex as identified by ³H-dexetemide were unchanged. Nor was there any alternation in the number or binding affinity of H-1 receptors identified by ³H-mepyramine, or of α-noradrenergic receptors identified by ³H-WB 4101, in cerebral cortex. The number and binding affinity of GABA receptors in the cerebellum identified by ³H-muscimol also was not altered.Chronic neuroleptic administration to rats appears to alter specifically the number of cerebral dopamine receptors.     

Dissemination of carcinogenic H3-dialkylhydrazines in the neuro-endocrine system and their antigonadotropic effect in rats]

Three hours after the dimethylhydrazine-3H (DMH) treatment specific radioactivity in the male rat pituitary, adrenal cortex, and the testes was higher than in the liver by 53, 85, and 108%, respectively. Tritium incorporation into the hypothalamus was higher than that by the liver, cerebral cortex, and the brain stem by 33, 69, and 44%, respectively. Three hours after the diethyl-hydrazine-3H (DEH) treatment the specific activities of the pituitary and the testes in male rats were higher than that of the liver by 57 and 108%, respectively. A single DMH and DEH administration to male rats in a dose of 21 mg per kg body weight resulted in a significant decrease of the pituitary FSH level (by 63 and 53%, respectively). The data obtained were indicative of a marked influence of the carcinogenic dialkylhydrazines on the rat neuroendocrin system.     

Effects of Pro-Leu-Gly-NH2 and cyclo (Leu-Gly) on the binding of 3H-quinuclidinyl benzilate to striatal cholinergic muscarinic receptors

The effects of Pro-Leu-Gly-NH2 (melanotropin release inhibiting factor, MIF) and its analog, cyclo (Leu-Gly) on the mouse and rat striatal cholinergic muscarinic receptors labeled with 3H-quinuclidinyl benzilate (QNB) were investigated. 3H-QNB bound to the rat striatal muscarinic receptors at a single high affinity site with receptor density (Bmax value) of 1200 fmol per mg protein and an apparent dissociation constant (Kd value) of 53.5 pM. At 140 pM concentration of 3H-QNB, the specific binding to the receptors was 724 fmol per mg protein. MIF in a concentration range of 10(-9) to 10(-4) M did not alter the binding of 3H-QNB but at 10(-3) M decreased the binding by 25%. Cyclo (Leu-Gly), on the other hand, in the concentration range of 10(-9) to 10(-3) M had no effect on the binding of 3H-QNB. A single injection of MIF (3 or 10 mg/kg IP) to rats did not alter the Bmax or the Kd value of 3H-QNB to bind to the striatal membranes. 3H-QNB bound to the mouse striatal muscarinic receptors at a single high affinity site with a Bmax value of 991 fmol/per mg protein and a Kd value of 21 pM. Neither acute administration of MIF (3 or 10 mg/kg IP) nor chronic treatment of the peptide (2, 8 or 32 mg/kg IP, daily for 5 days) to mice could influence the binding of 3H-QNB to the striatal muscarinic receptors.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Involvement of central somatostatin in the alteration of GH secretion in starved rats

In order to determine the central or peripheral origin of the starvation-induced modifications of growth hormone (GH) and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) secretions, the effects of starvation were studied in freely moving male rats with hypothalamo-hypophyseal disconnection. Five days after the disconnection GH secretion exhibited lower maximal values and higher trough levels and ultradian pulsatile secretion was lost as compared to controls. TSH levels were also decreased. The lesion did not modify pituitary somatostatin (SRIF) receptors as assessed by 125I-Tyr-O-D-Trp-8-SRIF binding or inhibition of adenylate cyclase activity. On the other hand, the growth hormone releasing factor (GRF) capacity to stimulate adenylate cyclase was strongly reduced by the lesion without modification of the affinity. Exposure to 72 h food deprivation decreased GH pulses and TSH levels in control rats but did not modify GH secretory profiles or TSH levels of lesioned rats. Plasma glucose and insulin levels were equally decreased after fasting in control and lesioned rats. Altogether, our results demonstrate that starvation-induced modifications of GH and TSH secretions are of central origin while glucose and insulin changes are peripherally triggered. They suggest that the hypothalamus is the only source of SRIF implicated in this effect.     

Cytoplasmic binding of oestradiol-17beta in several brain regions, pituitary and uterus of ferrets ovariectomized while in or out of oestrus

The reproductive status at the time of ovariectomy had no effect on oestradiol binding. In both groups of ferrets the oestradiol binding capacity of the uterus was approximately 10 times greater than that of the other tissues studied; of these other tissues the highest oestradiol binding capacity was present in the pituitary, followed by hypothalamus, midbrain, amygdala and cerebral cortex. The binding affinity of hypothalamic receptors for oestradiol was the same in ferrets which had been previously ovariectomized while either in oestrus or anoestrus. It is suggested that the occurrence of seasonal oestrus does not depend on changes in the binding capacity or affinity of hypothalamic receptors for oestradiol.     

Effect of testosterone and progesterone on carboxypeptidase H activity during stress in mice

It was found that testosterone propionate (3 mg/kg of body weight) and progesterone (1 mg/kg of body weight) partially prevent an augmentation of the carboxypeptidase H activity in the mouse pituitary gland under stress caused by a single intraperitoneal administration of olive oil. In testicles, testosterone prevented augmentation of the enzyme activity within 0.5 hours but increased it through in 4 and 24 hours after treatment. Progesterone in testicles augmented the enzyme activity within 0.5 hours, but not in 4 and 24 hours. Sex steroids were not affected by stressinduced carboxypeptidase H activity in hypothalamus and adrenal medulla. It was concluded that carboxypeptidase H did not take part in integration of hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal and hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis under the stress.     

Chronic administration of an organophosphorus insecticide to rats alters cholinergic muscarinic receptors in the pancreas

Male rats were treated for 10 days with the organophosphorus insecticide, acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, O,O-diethyl S-[2-(ethylthio)ethyl]phosphorodithioate (disulfoton, 2 mg/kg/day by gavage). At the end of the treatment, binding of [³H]quinuclidinyl benzilate ([³H]QNB) to cholinergic muscarinic receptors and cholinesterase (ChE) activity were assayed in the pancreas. Functional activity of pancreatic muscarinic receptor was investigated by determining carbachol-stimulated secretion of α-amylase in vitro. ChE activity and [³H]QNB binding were significantly decreased in the pancreas from disulfoton-treated rats. The alteration of [³H]QNB binding was due to a decrease in muscarinic receptor density with no change in the affinity. Basal secretion of amylase from pancreas in vitro was not altered, but carbachol-stimulated secretion was decreased. The effect appeared to be specific since pancreozymin was able to induce the same amylase release from pancreases of control and treated rats. The results suggest that repeated exposures to sublethal doses of an organophosphorus insecticide lead to a biochemical and functional alteration of cholinergic muscarinic receptors in the pancreas.