Protein metabolism. 6. Trichostrongylus colubriformis: skeletal protein catabolism in primary and secondary infections of the guinea pig

The urinary excretion of 3-methylhistidine (3-MH) was used as an index of muscle protein catabolism in primary and secondary infections of the guinea pig with Trichostrongylus colubriformis and in uninfected animals fed quantitatively reduced rations. Catabolism, which was depressed in all three groups, was directly related to a fall in food consumption. Possible explanations for the greater depression of catabolism in the primary infection than in the uninfected guinea pigs and its fall in the secondary infection in spite of little change in consumption are briefly discussed. It was concluded that the faster rate of whole-body protein turnover reported earlier in this series on protein metabolism in intestinal nematode infection was not partly due to a faster rate of muscle protein catabolism. It was shown that the urinary excretion of 3-MH could be validly expressed in terms of unit creatinine.     

Refractory hypothalamic alpha-mSH satiety and AGRP feeding systems in rats bearing MCA sarcomas

In pre-anorectic tumor-bearing (TB: methylcholanthrene-induced sarcoma) rats, injection of alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) into the perifornical hypothalamus (PFH) had no significant effect on food intake at a dose (5 microg) that reduced feeding in non-TB control rats. Following the development of anorexia, injection of alpha-MSH MC3/MC4 receptor antagonists, SHU9119 (1 microg) or 4 microg agouti-related protein (AGRP), stimulated feeding in non-TB rats, while having no significant effect in TB rats. Concentrations of alpha-MSH were not altered significantly in ventromedial, dorsomedial or lateral hypothalamic areas of TB rats, and proopiomelanocortin (POMC) messenger RNA was not changed in TB rats in these hypothalamic areas. Determination of cytokines by ELISA in non-operated TB and non-TB rats revealed elevated IL-2 in plasma and hypothalamus as well as increased TNF-alpha in the hypothalamus of anorectic TB rats. IL-1B was not detectable in plasma and was not altered significantly in hypothalamus of TB rats. These results suggest that the POMC alpha-MSH satiety system is refractory in TB rats, even prior to the onset of anorexia. This change in MC3/MC4 receptor response does not appear to be secondary to alterations of endogenous alpha-MSH in TB rats. Cytokine involvement in the altered response to MC3/MC4 receptor stimulation and blockade is a possibility, since TNF-alpha and IL-2 were increased in hypothalamus of anorectic TB rats. Therefore, these results suggest major alterations in POMC neuropeptide systems in TB rats as anorexia progresses. Although these changes do not appear to have occurred due to grossly-altered concentrations of alpha-MSH, elevated cytokine activity in the hypothalamus may be an important factor. Due to the complex multi-factorial nature of feeding control, additional factors are likely to be involved in cancer anorexia.     

Hormonal, behavioral, and thermoregulatory responses to bacterial lipopolysaccharide in captive and free-living white-crowned sparrows (Zonotrichia leucophrys gambelii)

Exposing vertebrates to pathogenic organisms or inflammatory stimuli, such as bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS), activates the immune system and triggers the acute phase response. This response involves fever, alterations in neuroendocrine circuits, such as hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) and -gonadal (HPG) axes, and stereotypical sickness behaviors that include lethargy, anorexia, adipsia, and a disinterest in social activities. We investigated the hormonal, behavioral, and thermoregulatory effects of acute LPS treatment in a seasonally breeding songbird, the white-crowned sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys gambelii) using laboratory and field experiments. Captive male and female sparrows were housed on short (8L:16D) or long (20L:4D) day lengths and injected subcutaneously with LPS or saline (control). LPS treatment activated the HPA axis, causing a rapid increase in plasma corticosterone titers over 24 h compared to controls. Suppression of the HPG axis occurred in long-day LPS birds as measured by a decline in luteinizing hormone levels. Instead of a rise in body temperature, LPS-injected birds experienced short-term hypothermia compared to controls. Birds treated with LPS decreased activity and reduced food and water intake, resulting in weight loss. LPS males on long days experienced more weight loss than LPS males on short days, but this seasonal effect was not observed in females. These results paralleled seasonal differences in body condition, suggesting that modulation of the acute phase response is linked to energy reserves. In free-living males, LPS treatment decreased song and several measures of territorial aggression. These studies highlight immune-endocrine-behavior interrelationships that may proximately mediate life-history tradeoffs between reproduction and defense against pathogens.     

Neuroendocrine dysregulation of food intake in eating disorders

Anorexia nervosa (AN) and bulimia nervosa (BN) are psychiatric disorders characterized by abnormal eating behaviors and imbalance of energy homeostasis. Changes of both central and peripheral neuroendocrine substances involved in the modulation of food intake and energy expenditure have been described in acutely ill patients with eating disorders. This review selectively focuses on the most recent findings supporting abnormal changes in the physiology of some peripheral adipokines and gut-secreted peptides, brain-derived neurotrophic factor and endocannabinoids in patients with AN or BN. Literature data do suggest a dysregulation of these neuroendocrine feeding regulators but, at the moment, they do not allow to establish the state or trait-dependent nature of those aberrations. It has been proposed, although not definitively proved, that neuroendocrine alterations, even when secondary to malnutrition and/or to aberrant eating behaviors, might contribute to the genesis and the maintenance of some symptomatic aspects of AN and BN, thus affecting the course and the prognosis of these disorders. Future studies should clarify whether neuroendocrine alterations are part of the genetically transmitted biological vulnerability to eating disorders.     

Hypothalamic inflammation and food intake regulation during chronic illness

Anorexia is a common symptom in chronic illness. It contributes to malnutrition and strongly affects survival and quality of life. A common denominator of many chronic diseases is an elevated inflammatory status, which is considered to play a pivotal role in the failure of food-intake regulating systems in the hypothalamus. In this review, we summarize findings on the role of hypothalamic inflammation on food intake regulation involving hypothalamic neuropeptide Y (NPY) and pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC). Furthermore, we outline the role of serotonin in the inability of these peptide based food-intake regulating systems to respond and adapt to changes in energy metabolism during chronic disease.     

Nesfatin-1 对营养性肥胖大鼠摄食量体重和胃排空率的影响

目的：通过颈静脉注射外源性nesfatin-1,观察营养性肥胖大鼠摄食、体重、胃排空率的变化情况。方法：营养性肥胖大鼠造模 成功后,各组大鼠行颈静脉插管手术,术后所有大鼠分为四组,正常对照组及肥胖对照组大鼠注射0.9%生理盐水,正常给药及肥 胖给药组大鼠注射外源性nesfatin-1（100 滋g·kg-1）,连续颈静脉给药7 d,期间记录各组大鼠摄食量以及体重,给药结束后采用灌 胃酚红法测定大鼠胃排空率。结果：用高脂饲料连续饲养大鼠7天,正常对照组和正常nesfatin-1组大鼠的Lee’s指数分别为314.22 和314.44,肥胖对照组和肥胖nesfatin-1 组大鼠的Lee’s指数分别为318.22 和319.03,肥胖差异显著(T-test, P<0.01),造模成功。连 续给药7 d 后,给药组摄食量和体重与对照组相比明显降低,但肥胖给药组摄食量及体重下降较正常给药组更加明显。胃排空率 与胃排出酚红量是成负相关的,实验中正常对照组和正常给药组的胃排空率分别是64.71± 4.51 和46.47± 3.20,而肥胖对照组和 肥胖给药组大鼠的胃排空率分别是75.67± 2.47 和50.88± 3.07,因此高剂量给予nesfatin-1 能显著降低大鼠的胃排空率。结论：综 上所述,长期持续外周静脉给予外源性的nesfatin-1 可以明显抑制正常及肥胖大鼠的摄食,动物体重减轻。     

双歧杆菌三联活菌散剂联合四磨汤治疗儿童厌食症的疗效

目的探讨双歧杆菌三联活菌散剂联合四磨汤治疗儿童厌食症的疗效。方法选取儿童厌食症患者80例,随机分为观察组和对照组。两组患儿均予以补锌、健脾和纠正不良饮食习惯等常规治疗。观察组患儿予以双歧杆菌三联活菌散剂联合四磨汤治疗,对照组患儿予以单纯的四磨汤治疗,两组疗程8周。观察两组患儿治疗前后腹部皮下脂肪厚度的变化,并比较其临床疗效及药物不良反应。结果治疗8周后,两组患者腹部皮下脂肪厚度均较前明显增加（P〈0.05或P〈0.01）,且观察组增加的幅度明显高于对照组（P〈0.05）;同时观察组患儿的总有效率明显高于对照组（95.0%vs 80.0%）（χ2=4.11,P〈0.05）,两组患儿治疗期间未发生明显的药物不良反应。结论双歧杆菌三联活菌散剂联合四磨汤治疗儿童厌食症的疗效确切,能明显增强患儿的食欲,增加皮下脂肪厚度,安全性好。     

Altered brain-derived neurotrophic factor blood levels and gene variability are associated with anorexia and bulimia

Murine models and association studies in eating disorder (ED) patients have shown a role for the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in eating behavior. Some studies have shown association of BDNF -270C/T single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) with bulimia nervosa (BN), while BDNF Val66Met variant has been shown to be associated with both BN and anorexia nervosa (AN). To further test the role of this neurotrophin in humans, we screened 36 SNPs in the BDNF gene and tested for their association with ED and plasma BDNF levels as a quantitative trait. We performed a family-based association study in 106 ED nuclear families and analyzed BDNF blood levels in 110 ED patients and in 50 sib pairs discordant for ED. The rs7124442T/rs11030102C/rs11030119G haplotype was found associated with high BDNF levels (mean BDNF TCG haplotype carriers = 43.6 ng/ml vs. mean others 23.0 ng/ml, P = 0.016) and BN (Z = 2.64; P recessive = 0.008), and the rs7934165A/270T haplotype was associated with AN (Z =-2.64; P additive = 0.008). The comparison of BDNF levels in 50 ED discordant sib pairs showed elevated plasma BDNF levels for the ED group (mean controls = 41.0 vs. mean ED = 52.7; P = 0.004). Our data strongly suggest that altered BDNF levels modulated by BDNF gene variability are associated with the susceptibility to ED, providing physiological evidence that BDNF plays a role in the development of AN and BN, and strongly arguing for its involvement in eating behavior and body weight regulation.     

Leptin prevents the fall in plasma osteocalcin during starvation in male mice

Plasma osteocalcin, a marker of osteoblastic activity, is reduced in starvation, malnutrition, and anorexia nervosa, resulting in low bone turnover osteoporosis. Contradictory findings about the role of leptin as a link between nutritional status and bone physiology have been reported. We demonstrate that leptin-deficient ob/ob and leptin-resistant db/db male mice have increased plasma osteocalcin, and that in male ob/ob mice osteocalcin is not decreased by starvation, unlike control mice. Intraperitoneal leptin administration increased plasma osteocalcin in male ob/ob mice, and prevented its fall during 24h fasting and 5 days of food restriction in normal male mice. This effect may be mediated via actions on the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular or -growth hormone axes, or a direct action on osteoblasts. These studies support the hypothesis that the fall in leptin during starvation and weight loss is responsible for the associated reduction in osteoblast activity, and suggest a role for leptin in regulating bone turnover.