bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Anorexic But Not Pyrogenic Actions of Interleukin‐1 are Modulated by Central Melanocortin‐3/4 Receptors in the Rat
Authors: Lawrence C. B. , Rothwell N. J. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractThe cytokine interleukin‐1 (IL‐1), which mediates many responses to infection and injury, induces anorexia and fever through direct actions in the central nervous system. The melanocortin neuropeptides, such as alpha melanocyte‐stimulating hormone (α‐MSH), reportedly antagonize many actions of IL‐1, including fever and anorexia. However, it is unknown whether endogenous melanocortins modulate anorexia induced by IL‐1. The objective of the present study was to establish the effect of endogenous melanocortins on IL‐1‐induced anorexia and fever in the rat. Intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection of IL‐1β caused a significant reduction in food intake and body weight gain, and a rise in core body temperature in conscious rats. Coadministration of the melanocortin‐3/4 receptor (MC3/4‐R) antagonist, SHU9119, reversed IL‐1β‐induced reductions in food intake and body weight, but did not affect the febrile response to IL‐1β. These data suggest IL‐1β may elicit its effects on food intake through the melanocortin system, predominantly via the MC3‐R or MC4‐R. In contrast, IL‐1β‐induced fever does not appear to be mediated or modulated by MC3‐R or MC4‐R activity.
Altered Regulation of Gene and Protein Expression of Hypothalamic‐Pituitary‐Adrenal Axis Components in an Immature Rat Model of Chronic Stress
Authors: Avishai‐Eliner S. , Gilles E. E. , Eghbal‐Ahmadi M. , Bar‐El Y. , Baram T. Z. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractChronic stress early in postnatal life influences hormonal and behavioural responses to stress persistently, but the mechanisms and molecular cascades that are involved in this process have not been clarified. To approach these issues, a chronic stress paradigm for the neonatal rat, using limited bedding material to alter the cage environment, was devised. In 9‐day‐old rats subjected to this chronic stress for 1 week, significant and striking changes in the expression and release patterns of key molecules that govern the neuroendocrine stress responses were observed. The presence of sustained stress was evident from enhanced activation of peripheral elements of the neuroendocrine stress response, i.e. increased basal plasma corticosterone concentrations, high adrenal weight and decreased body weight. Central regulatory elements of the neuroendocrine stress response were perturbed, including reduced expression of hypothalamic corticotropin‐releasing hormone that, surprisingly, was accompanied by reduced glucocorticoid receptor expression. Thus, the effects of chronic sustained stress in the neonatal rat on the hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal axis included substantial changes in the expression and activity of major regulators of this axis. Importantly, the changes induced by this chronic stress differed substantially from those related to acute or recurrent stress, providing a novel model for studying the long‐term effects of chronic, early life stress on neuroendocrine functions throughout life.
Evidence that Orexin‐Containing Neurones Provide Direct Input to Gonadotropin‐Releasing Hormone Neurones in the Ovine Hypothalamus
Authors: Iqbal J. , Pompolo S. , Sakurai T. , Clarke I. J. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractOrexins A and B (ORX) have been added recently to the growing list of neuropeptides implicated in feeding and drinking behaviour as well as neuroendocrine function. In the present study, we have used single and dual labelling immunohistochemistry and a rabbit polyclonal anti‐orexin‐A antibody, which recognizes both ORX A and B, to examine ORX pathways in the sheep hypothalamus. ORX immunoreactive cells were distributed in the dorsomedial hypothalamic nucleus, lateral hypothalamic area, zona incerta and perifornical area; a few cells were also observed in the anterior hypothalamic area. In contrast to distribution in the rat brain, most of the ORX immunoreactive cells are localized to the dorsomedial hypothalamic nucleus and perifornical area; scattered cells are found in lateral hypothalamic area. ORX immunoreactive fibres were widely distributed throughout the hypothalamus and preoptic area with dense innervation of the medial preoptic area and bed nucleus of stria terminalis. Dual labelling demonstrated widespread expression of the long form of the leptin receptor within all ORX cells that were examined. Thirty percent of the gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) cells that were examined had ORX immunoreactive terminals in close contact with no regional or sex differences. FluoroGold injections into the preoptic area retrogradely labelled a subpopulation of ORX cells in the lateral hypothalamic/perifornical area, showing ORX cells of this region project to the preoptic and could potentially provide input to GnRH cells. These findings suggest an integral role for ORX in the regulation of GnRH cells in the sheep and thus provide evidence of a novel mechanism whereby leptin can influence reproductive neuroendocrine function.
Anatomical Markers of Activity in Neuroendocrine Systems: Are we all ‘Fos‐ed out’?
Authors: Hoffman G. E. , Lyo D. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractIt has now been nearly 15 years since the immediate early gene, c‐fos, and its protein product, Fos, were introduced as tools for determining activity changes within neurones of the nervous system. In the ensuing years, this approach was applied to neuroendocrine study with success. With it have come advances in our understanding of which neuroendocrine neurones respond to various stimuli and how other central nervous system components interact with neuroendocrine neurones. Use of combined tract‐tracing approaches, as well as double‐labelling for Fos and transmitter markers, have added to characterization of neuroendocrine circuits. The delineation of the signal transduction cascades that induce Fos expression has led to establishment of the relationship between neurone firing and Fos expression. Importantly, we can now appreciate that Fos expression is often, but not always, associated with increased neuronal firing and vice versa. There are remaining gaps in our understanding of Fos in the nervous system. To date, knowledge of what Fos does after it is expressed is still limited. The transience of Fos expression after stimulation (especially if the stimulus is persistent) complicates design of experiments to assess the function of Fos and makes Fos of little value as a marker for long‐term changes in neurone activity. In this regard, alternative approaches must be sought. Useful alternative approaches employed to date to monitor neuronal changes in activity include examination of (i) signal transduction intermediates (e.g. phosphorylated CREB); (ii) transcriptional/translational intermediates (e.g. heteronuclear RNA, messenger RNA (mRNA), prohormones); and (iii) receptor translocation. Another capitalizes on the fact that many neuroendocrine systems show striking stimulus‐transcription coupling in the regulation of their transmitter or its synthetic enzymes. Together, as we move into the 21st Century, the use of multiple approaches to study activity within neuroendocrine systems will further our understanding of these important systems.
Cerebral Endothelial Cells are a Major Source of Adrenomedullin
Authors: Kis B. , Kaiya H. , Nishi R. , Deli M. A. , Ábrahám C. S. , Yanagita T. , Isse T. , Gotoh S. , Kobayashi H. , Wada A. , Niwa M. , Kangawa K. , Greenwood J. , Yamashita H. , Ueta Y. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractAdrenomedullin is a peptide hormone with multifunctional biological properties. Its most characteristic effects are the regulation of circulation and the control of fluid and electrolyte homeostasis through peripheral and central nervous system actions. Although adrenomedullin is a vasodilator of cerebral vasculature, and it may be implicated in the pathomechanism of cerebrovascular diseases, the source of adrenomedullin in the cerebral circulation has not been investigated thus far. We measured the secretion of adrenomedullin by radioimmunoassay and detected adrenomedullin mRNA expression by Northern blot analysis in primary cultures of rat cerebral endothelial cells (RCECs), pericytes and astrocytes. We also investigated the expression of specific adrenomedullin receptor components by reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction and intracellular cAMP concentrations in RCECs and pericytes. RCECs had approximately one magnitude higher adrenomedullin production (135 ± 13 fmol/105 cells per 12 h; mean ± SD, n = 10) compared to that previously reported for other cell types. RCECs secreted adrenomedullin mostly at their luminal cell membrane. Adrenomedullin production was not increased by thrombin, lipopolysaccharide or cytokines, which are known inducers of adrenomedullin release in peripheral endothelial cells, although it was stimulated by astrocyte‐derived factors. Pericytes had moderate, while astrocytes had very low basal adrenomedullin secretion. In vivo experiments showed that adrenomedullin plasma concentration in the jugular vein of rats was approximately 50% higher than that in the carotid artery or in the vena cava. Both RCECs and pericytes, which are potential targets of adrenomedullin in cerebral microcirculation, expressed adrenomedullin receptor components, and exhibited a dose‐dependent increase in intracellular cAMP concentrations after exogenous adrenomedullin administration. Antisense oligonucleotide treatment significantly reduced adrenomedullin production by RCECs and tended to decrease intraendothelial cAMP concentrations. These findings may suggest an important autocrine and paracrine role for adrenomedullin in the regulation of cerebral circulation and blood–brain barrier functions. Cerebral endothelial cells are a potential source of adrenomedullin in the central nervous system, where adrenomedullin can also be involved in the regulation of neuroendocrine functions.
Spatio‐Temporal Expression of Gonadotropin‐Releasing Hormone Receptor Subtypes in Gonadotropes, Somatotropes and Lactotropes in the Cichlid Fish
Authors: Parhar I. S. , Soga T. , Sakuma Y. , Millar R. P. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractThe description of two or more forms of gonadotropin‐releasing hormone (GnRH) in most vertebrates suggests multiple roles for this family of peptide hormones. In order to verify these functions, we analysed the anatomical location, time of initial expression and ontogenic changes in three distinct GnRH receptors (GnRH‐Rs) in developing and sexually mature tilapia, using antisera raised against the extracellular loop three of the receptor, which is a determinant in ligand‐selectivity and receptor coupling to signalling pathways. In all age groups, including males and females, using in situ hybridization and double‐label immunological methods, GnRH‐R type IA was colocalized in cells containing luteinizing hormone (LH) β‐subunit in the pituitary. GnRH‐R type IB was visualized in prolactin cells and LH cells. The type III GnRH‐R was expressed in growth hormone cells. On day 8 after fertilization, GnRH‐R type III was first seen in growth hormone cells and, subsequently, on day 15, GnRH‐Rs type IA and type IB were first seen in LH and prolactin cells, respectively. On day 25, the receptor occupied area per pituitary and the staining intensity of GnRH‐R type IA increased significantly, consistent with the hypothesis that differentiation of GnRH neurones and their inputs to the pituitary coincide precisely with gonadal sex differentiation and steroidogenesis in tilapia. The differential distribution of GnRH‐Rs in the pituitary provides the first clear evidence that the three native GnRH variants in tilapia have cognate receptors, each capable of regulating different pituitary endocrine cells.
Functional Subsets of Serotonergic Neurones: Implications for Control of the Hypothalamic‐Pituitary‐Adrenal Axis
Authors: Lowry C. A. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractSerotonergic systems play an important role in the regulation of behavioural, autonomic and endocrine responses to stressful stimuli. This includes modulation of both the hypothalamic‐pituitary‐adrenal (HPA) axis and the hypothalamic‐spinal‐adrenal (HSA) axis, which converge at the level of the adrenal cortex to regulate glucocorticoid secretion. Paradoxically, serotonin can either facilitate or inhibit HPA axis activity and stress‐related physiological or behavioural responses. A detailed analysis of the brainstem raphe´ complex and its ascending projections reveals that facilitatory and inhibitory effects of serotonergic systems on glucocorticoid secretion may be due to influences of topographically organized and functionally diverse serotonergic systems. (i) A serotonergic system arising from the middle and caudal dorsal raphe´ nucleus and projecting to a distributed central autonomic control system and a lateral ‘emotional motor system’. Evidence suggests that serotonin can sensitize this subcortical circuit associated with autonomic arousal, anxiety and conditioned fear. (ii) A serotonergic system arising from the median raphe´ nucleus and projecting extensively and selectively to a ventral subiculum projection system. Evidence suggests that serotonin facilitates this limbic circuit associated with inhibition of ultradian, circadian and stress‐induced activity of both the HPA axis and the HSA axis. These new perspectives, based on functional anatomical considerations, provide a hypothetical framework for investigating the role of serotonergic systems in the modulation of ultradian, circadian and stress‐induced neuroendocrine function.
Nociceptin/Orphanin FQ Content is Decreased in Forebrain Neurones During Acute Stress
Authors: Devine D. P. , Hoversten M. T. , Ueda Y. , Akil H. 
Published: March 2003

AbstractWe examined the effects of acute and chronic stress on neurotransmission of nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) in a variety of brain regions. Four groups of rats were exposed to chronic variable stress, and/or a single acute stress before decapitation. Group 1 served as unstressed controls. The rats in group 2 (chronic stress/no acute stress) were exposed to a 10‐day regimen of chronic stress (two unpredictable stressors per day). These rats were decapitated 20 h after the last stressor. The rats in group 3 (no chronic stress/acute stress) were not exposed to chronic stress, but they were restrained for 30 min prior to decapitation. The rats in group 4 (chronic stress/acute stress) were chronically stressed for 10 days, and were then restrained prior to decapitation. Trunk blood was collected, and plasma adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) and corticosterone (CORT) were assayed by radioimmunoassay (RIA). The rats' brains were dissected, and N/OFQ content was measured by RIA in a variety of brain regions, and in spinal cord. Chronic stress exposure altered the hormonal responses to the acute stress exposure. In the rats that were exposed to chronic stress without acute stress (group 2), N/OFQ content did not differ from the content of the unstressed controls in any of the dissected brain regions. In the two groups that were stressed acutely just before decapitation (groups 3 and 4), N/OFQ content was decreased by 25–30% in the basal forebrain. Accordingly, the neuronal content of N/OFQ is decreased in basal forebrain neurones during acute stress exposure. In light of our previous finding that N/OFQ administration increases circulating ACTH and CORT concentrations, and augments hormonal responses to an acute stressor, the current finding raises the possibility that endogenous N/OFQ participates in neuronal regulation of hormonal responses to acute stress exposure.
Life quality and psychosomatic conditions of patients wearing complete dentures
Authors: GRUNERT I. , KAPELLER P. , SCHÜßLER G. 
Published: March 2003

Along with denture related factors (for instance poor‐fitting denture bases inadequate vertical and horizontal jaw relationships) personality conditions such as depression or psychosomatic disorders pre‐existing during treatment of an edentulous patient may affect the treatment outcome and the possibility of successful adaptation of the full dentures. Muller‐Fahlbusch termed this a ‘psychogenic full dentures disability’. This is not an uncommon problem, up to 15% individuals from a not selected aged population may present psychosomatic disorders (Hinterhuber & Fleischhacker, 1997).The aim of this study was to explore the suitability of special questionnaires, to identify these difficulties to treat and in the follow ups time intensive patients before treatment.Twenty‐five patients wearing complete dentures for many years and classified as ‘average’ were recruited for this study. A group of 220 patients with psychosomatic diseases of the University of Münster and a healthy German population served as control groups using the same questionnaires.First the personality profile was explored (general health condition and specific dental problems). Further questionnaires were used to determine the psychosomatic condition of the patient: the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale‐Deutsche Version (HADS‐D), the Münster and Gießener Beschwerdebogen, the SF‐36 Health Surveys and at least a questionnaire for the common dental case history.Life quality of the investigated edentulous patients was not restricted by full denture wearing. This patient group showed surprisingly, with regard to vitality, significant higher scores (P=0·015) than the healthy control group with the own dentition. This indicates that life quality must not be restricted by wearing full dentures. Comparing this patient group with psychosomatic patients, we found highly significant differences (P < 0·000) when using the Münster and the Gießener questionnaire. Comparing the edentulous patients with the healthy group no differences were found. Concerning anxiety and depression there were no differences between edentulous patients and the control group. Furthermore, the ‘Münster Beschwerdebogen’ and ‘Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale – Deutsche Version’ proved to be a good screening instrument for use in practice to identify patients with psychosomatic disorders before dental treatment.
Tongue and hyoid movements in feeding and speech
Authors: HIIEMAE K. , PALMER J. B. 
Published: March 2003

Feeding and speech depend on integrated movements of the jaws, tongue surface and tongue base–hyoid complex. Phylogenetically and ontogenetically, the movements of feeding antedate those required for speech. The hypothesis that speech movements would fall within the range used in feeding was tested.Lateral projection videofluorographic records were made for 10 subjects eating 8 g samples of three foods and reading a standard diagnostic speech text (Grandfather Passage). Radiopaque markers were glued to the upper and lower canines and tongue. Marker positions (Cartesian coordinates) for each video frame were plotted relative to the upper occlusal plane (X axis) and to a perpendicular dropped from that plane at the upper canine (Y axis). A plot of all coordinates per record gives the spatial domain (in the sagittal plane) within which a given marker moved.Tongue marker domains showed an extraordinary range of movement in feeding with extensive palatal contact. In speech, there was little palatal contact, and markers moved within a smaller sagittal domain. Although speech domains fell within the range for feeding, their centroids were highly statistically different, P < 0·001 (Hald test for differences in bivariate populations). In contrast, the hyoid domain for speech was anterior to that used in feeding and had almost no overlap with it (P < 0·0001). Our hypothesis is confirmed for the tongue surface markers but not for the hyoid. We conclude that patterns of hyoid movement in speech are a specific adaptation for speech.This research was supported by USPHS NIDCD Award 02123.
Psychological factors and adaptation to artificial interferences in healthy subjects with and without TMD history
Authors: LEBELL Y. , NIEMI P. M. , JÄMSÄ T. , ALANEN P. , KROOK K. 
Published: March 2003

It has often been suggested that psychological factors play a role in temporomandibular disorders (TMD). However, reports on psychopathology and personality characteristics in TMD patients and controls have been equivocal. We have reported in a double‐blind RCT (LeBell et al., 2000) that subjects with a previous TMD history react differently in terms of TMD signs and symptoms to artificial interferences than subjects with no earlier TMD history. In the present study, we compared the psychological characteristics of these subjects and analysed the role of psychological factors in the adaptation process.The study sample of 47 women consisted of two groups: 26 women (mean age 24) without and 21 women (mean age 31) with TMD history. The subjects with TMD history had been treated earlier and they felt healthy when the intervention started. The groups were divided into true interference and placebo interference subgroups. Before the intervention, the subjects were interviewed. They also filled in questionnaires dealing with psychological and somatic symptoms, daily stress, coping strategies, personality characteristics, health hardiness and illness beliefs. During the 2‐week follow‐up period, the subjects rated the intensity of 10 symptoms on the visual analogue scale (VAS) scale and their impact on vocational and leisure time functioning. In addition, daily stress, life changes, somatic and psychological symptoms and coping with pain were explored. In general, the groups were similar in their psychological characteristics. There were, however, some differences in coping strategies. At the end of the intervention, the subjects with TMD history and exposed to true interferences reported more frequently than the other subjects muscle tension and neurological symptoms, thus indicating greater sensitivity to artificial interferences. This difference cannot be attributed to the observed base‐line personality characteristics as the groups did not differ in them. However, differences in coping strategies may play a role in the impaired adaptation.The financial support of Finska Läkaresäliskapet is gratefully acknowledged.