Effect of novel nociceptin/orphanin FQ-NOP receptor ligands on ethanol drinking in alcohol-preferring msP rats

Activation of the NOP receptor by the endogenous ligand nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) reduces alcohol consumption in genetically selected alcohol-preferring Marchigian Sardinian (msP) rats. The present study evaluated the effect of three newly synthesized peptidergic and one brain-penetrating heterocyclic NOP receptor agonists on alcohol drinking in the two bottle choice paradigm. MsP rats were intracerebroventricularly (ICV) injected with the NOP receptor agonists OS-462 (0.5 and 1.0 μg), UFP-102 (0.25 and 1.0 μg) or UFP-112 (0.01 and 0.05 μg), or with Ro 64-6198 (0.3 and 1.0 mg/kg) given intraperitoneally (i.p.) and tested for 10% alcohol consumption. Results showed decreased alcohol consumption after treatment with all three peptidergic NOP receptor agonists (OS-462, UFP-102 and UFP-112). OS-462 (at the 1.0 μg dose) and UFP-102 (at the 0.25 μg dose) induced a significant increase in food intake as well. Surprisingly, Ro 64-6198 was ineffective at the 0.3 mg/kg dose, whereas it increased ethanol and food consumption at the 1.0 mg/kg dose. Pre-treatment with the selective μ-receptor antagonist naloxone (0.5 mg/kg, i.p.) reduced these effects of 1.0 mg/kg of Ro 64-6198. These findings confirm that activation of brain NOP receptors reduces alcohol drinking in msP rats and demonstrate that OS-462, UFP-102 and UFP-112 act as potent NOP receptor agonists. On the other hand, Ro 64-6198 increased alcohol drinking, an effect probably induced by a residual agonist activity of this compound at μ-opioid receptors. Overall, the results indicate that OS-462, UFP-102 and UFP-112 may represent valuable pharmacological tools to investigate the functional role of the brain N/OFQ system.     

Interleukin-1 beta-induced anorexia is reversed by ghrelin

Interleukins, in particular interleukin-1β (IL-1β), reduce food intake after peripheral and central administration, which suggests that they contribute to anorexia during various infectious, neoplastic, and autoimmune diseases. On the other hand, ghrelin stimulates food intake by acting on the central nervous system (CNS) and is considered an important regulator of food intake in both rodents and humans. In the present study, we investigated if ghrelin could reverse IL-1β-induced anorexia. Intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection of 15, 30 or 45 ng/μl of IL-1β caused significant suppression of food intake in 20 h fasting animals. This effect lasted for a 24 h period. Ghrelin (0.15 nmol or 1.5 nmol/μl) produced a significant increase in cumulative food intake in normally fed animals. However, it did not alter food intake in 20 h fasting animals. Central administration of ghrelin reduced the anorexic effect of IL-1β (15 ng/μl). The effect was observed 30 min after injection and lasted for the next 24 h. This study provides evidence that ghrelin is an orexigenic peptide capable of antagonizing IL-1β-induced anorexia.     

Relationship between oral impacts on daily performance and chewing ability among independent elders residing in Daejeon City, Korea

doi: 10.1111/j.1741‐2358.2011.00504.x
Relationship between oral impacts on daily performance and chewing ability among independent elders residing in Daejeon City, Korea Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the association between oral health‐related quality of life (OHRQoL) measured by the oral impacts on daily performances (OIDP) inventory and chewing ability. Methods: The cluster sampling method was used to select a sample of 634 socially active independent community‐dwelling elders. An oral examination was conducted and a questionnaire was implemented. After bivariate comparisons, a multivariable two‐level logistic model was developed for the dichotomous OIDP indicator using the generalised linear mixed model. Results: The mean age of the participants was 74 years and 56.6% were women. Eight percent were edentulous, and the mean number of teeth was 17.7. Overall, 39.3% of participants had one or more oral impacts on daily performance. Elders with chewing ability of 0–49, 50–74 and 75–99% were approximately 120, 20 and seven times more likely to have oral impacts compared with those with full chewing ability, respectively. Elders reporting their oral health as ‘fair’ or ‘better’ were 68% less likely to have oral impacts than those with poor or very poor self‐reported oral health. Conclusion: Among independent elders, amelioration of chewing ability including delivery of appropriate prosthodontic care might independently contribute to improving OHRQoL of elders by improving their physical, psychological and social wellbeing.     

Daily variation of oral malodour and related factors in community-dwelling elderly Thai

doi: 10.1111/j.1741‐2358.2011.00593.x Daily variation of oral malodour and related factors in community‐dwelling elderly Thai Objectives: The purposes of this study were (i) to estimate the prevalence of oral malodour, (ii) to evaluate the daily variation of oral malodour and (iii) to assess associations of volatile sulphur compound (VSC) concentrations with socio‐demographics, health behaviours and oral health status in community‐dwelling elderly Thai. Methods: The subjects were 428 dentate elderly people (67.6 ± 5.6 years) living in Phitsaulok, Thailand. Information on their socio‐demographics, general health and health behaviours was obtained by a questionnaire. Their dental condition, periodontal status and tongue coating were clinically examined. Their flow rates and the pH of unstimulated saliva were also assessed. Oral malodour was measured at four different times of day using an Oral Chroma?. Results: The proportions of subjects diagnosed with oral malodour using the thresholds of H₂S, CH₃SH and (CH₃)₂S were 60.5%, 62.9% and 80.7%, respectively. Concentrations of H₂S showed significant daily variation. Linear regression analysis demonstrated the following significant associations: (i) oral malodour from H₂S and thickness of the tongue coating, (ii) oral malodour from CH₃SH and periodontal pocket depth of 5 mm or more and the presence of gingival bleeding and (iii) oral malodour from (CH₃)₂S and systemic disease, medications and thickness of the tongue coating. Discussion: Oral malodour was shown to be prevalent among the elderly. Daily variation was observed in the concentration of H₂S. Tongue coating, periodontal disease, systemic diseases and medications were related to oral malodour. Therefore, these factors should be taken into consideration in oral malodour treatment and prevention programmes for the elderly.     

Effects of temperature and food supply on the growth of whitefish Coregonus lavaretus larvae in an oligotrophic peri‐alpine lake

The relative roles of temperature and food availability on the seasonal and daily growth of whitefish Coregonus lavaretus larvae were investigated in the oligotrophic peri‐alpine Lake Annecy, France. During the spring from 2004 to 2007, surface water temperature and density of potential zooplankton prey were monitored, and 2688 larvae were caught and measured. In addition, the daily growth of 130 larvae was estimated retrospectively by investigating the microstructure of their otoliths. Temperature played the predominant role in controlling both seasonal and daily growth of early larvae. In contrast, the abundance of Mesocyclops leuckarti and larval density was only slightly correlated to larval growth, suggesting no food limitation nor strong interindividual competition over the study period. Overall, these findings run counter to concerns about potential food limitation, but sound a warning about the potential impact of climate change on fish ecology and fisheries management.     

GHRP-6 mimics ghrelin-induced stimulation of food intake and suppression of locomotor activity in goldfish

Ghrelin was first identified and characterized from rat stomach as an endogenous ligand for the growth hormone secretagogue (GHS) receptor (GHS-R). Ghrelin also acts as an orexigenic factor and regulates energy balance in rodents. In goldfish, native ghrelin consists of 11 molecular variants, the major form being a 17-residue peptide with n-octanoic acid modification (n-octanoyl ghrelin17), and intraperitoneal (IP) administration of n-octanoyl ghrelin17 induces central actions such as stimulation of food intake and suppression of locomotor activity through capsaicin-sensitive afferents. Four types of GHS-Rs (1a-1, 1a-2, 2a-1 and 2a-2) have been identified in goldfish, and one GHS, GHRP-6, can activate only GHS-R2a-1 in vitro. However, there is no information about the effect of GHRP-6 on food intake and locomotor activity in goldfish in vivo. Therefore, in the present study, we examined whether IP-administered GHRP-6 would mimic the orexigenic action of n-octanoyl ghrelin17 and its suppression of locomotor activity. IP administration of GHRP-6 at 1pmol/g body weight (BW) stimulated food intake, and was equipotent to the orexigenic action of n-octanoyl ghrelin17 at 10 pmol/g BW. IP-injected GHRP-6 at 1 pmol/g BW also induced a significant decrease of locomotor activity, as was the case for IP-injected n-octanoyl ghrelin17 at 10 pmol/g BW. The action of GHRP-6 was blocked by IP-preinjected capsaicin at 160 nmol/g BW. These results suggest that the central action of GHRP-6 might be mediated via the GHS-R2a-1-signaling pathway, and subsequently through capsaicin-sensitive afferents in goldfish.     

Effects of chronic caloric restriction on kidney and heart redox status and antioxidant enzyme activities in Wistar rats

Caloric restriction (CR) has been associated with health benefits and these effects have been attributed, in part, to modulation of oxidative status by CR; however, data are still controversial. Here, we investigate the effects of seventeen weeks of chronic CR on parameters of oxidative damage/modification of proteins and on antioxidant enzyme activities in cardiac and kidney tissues. Our results demonstrate that CR induced an increase in protein carbonylation in the heart without changing the content of sulfhydryl groups or the activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase (CAT). Moreover, CR caused an increase in CAT activity in kidney, without changing other parameters. Protein carbonylation has been associated with oxidative damage and functional impairment; however, we cannot exclude the possibility that, under our conditions, this alteration indicates a different functional meaning in the heart tissue. In addition, we reinforce the idea that CR can increase CAT activity in the kidney. [BMB Reports 2012; 45(11): 671-676]     

Sugar assimilation and digestive efficiency in Wahlberg's epauletted fruit bat (Epomophorus wahlbergi)

Fruit- and nectar-feeding bats have high energy demands because of the cost of flight, and sugar is a good fuel because it is easily digested and absorbed. This study investigated the digestive efficiency of different sugars at different concentrations in Wahlberg's epauletted fruit bat (Epomophorus wahlbergi). We predicted that the sugar type and concentration would affect the total amount of solution consumed, while the total energy gained and the apparent assimilation efficiency would be high, irrespective of sugar type or concentration. Equicaloric solutions of two sugar types, glucose and sucrose, at low (10%), medium (15%) and high (25%) concentrations were offered in separate trials to bats. Total amount of solution consumed, total energy gained from each solution, and apparent assimilation efficiency, were measured. Bats had higher total volumetric intake of glucose and sucrose at the low concentrations than at the higher concentrations. However, bats maintained similar total energy intake on the respective glucose and sucrose concentrations. Bats were found to have high assimilation efficiencies on both glucose and sucrose irrespective of concentration. As bats used both sugars efficiently to maximize and maintain energy gain, it is expected that they feed opportunistically on fruit in the wild depending on temporal and spatial availability to obtain their energy requirements. Furthermore, fruit with high sucrose or glucose content will be consumed.     

The cholecystokinin type A receptor g.179A>G polymorphism affects feeding rate

A polymorphism within the 5' untranslated region of the cholecystokinin type A receptor ( CCKAR ) gene has been shown to affect feed intake and growth in commercial pig lines. To further investigate the phenotype of animals carrying alternative alleles at this polymorphism, we genotyped animals from a distinct segregating commercial line and an experimental cross F₂ population, both with electronically recorded feeding pattern data. The data indicate that the daily feed intake increasing effect of the DQ496228:g.179G allele is mediated through a faster rate of feed intake, without evidence for an effect on other feeding behaviour traits.