Estrogen receptors and estetrol-dependent neuroprotective actions: a pilot study
Estetrol (E4) has strong antioxidative, neurogenic and angiogenic effects in neural system resulting in the attenuation of neonatal hypoxic–ischemic encephalopathy. We aimed to define the role of estrogen receptors in E4-dependent actions in neuronal cell cultures and prove the promyelinating effect of E4. In vitro the antioxidative and cell survival/proliferating effects of E4 on H2O2-induced oxidative stress in primary hippocampal cell cultures were studied using different combinations of specific inhibitors for ERα (MPP dihydrochloride), ERβ (PHTTP), GPR30 (G15) and palmytoilation (2-BR). LDH activity a...
Source: Journal of Endocrinology - November 16, 2016 Category: Endocrinology Authors: Tskitishvili, E., Pequeux, C., Munaut, C., Viellevoye, R., Nisolle, M., Noel, A., Foidart, J.-M. Tags: Research Source Type: research
Sodium butyrate activates NRF2 to ameliorate diabetic nephropathy possibly via inhibition of HDAC
Oxidative stress contributes to the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy (DN). Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) plays a key role in cellular defense against oxidative stress. NRF2 activators have shown promising preventive effects on DN. Sodium butyrate (NaB) is a known activator of NRF2. However, it is unknown whether NRF2 is required for NaB protection against DN. Therefore, streptozotocin-induced diabetic C57BL/6 Nrf2 knockout and their wild-type mice were treated in the presence or absence of NaB for 20 weeks. Diabetic mice, but not NaB-treated diabetic mice, developed significant renal oxidative dama...
Source: Journal of Endocrinology - November 16, 2016 Category: Endocrinology Authors: Dong, W., Jia, Y., Liu, X., Zhang, H., Li, T., Huang, W., Chen, X., Wang, F., Sun, W., Wu, H. Tags: Research Source Type: research
Nesfatin-1: functions and physiology of a novel regulatory peptide
Nesfatin-1 was identified in 2006 as a potent anorexigenic peptide involved in the regulation of homeostatic feeding. It is processed from the precursor-peptide NEFA/nucleobindin 2 (NUCB2), which is expressed both in the central nervous system as well as in the periphery, from where it can access the brain via non-saturable transmembrane diffusion. In hypothalamus and brainstem, nesfatin-1 recruits the oxytocin, the melancortin and other systems to relay its anorexigenic properties. NUCB2/nesfatin-1 peptide expression in reward-related areas suggests that nesfatin-1 might also be involved in hedonic feeding. Besides its in...
Source: Journal of Endocrinology - November 16, 2016 Category: Endocrinology Authors: Dore, R., Levata, L., Lehnert, H., Schulz, C. Tags: Review Source Type: research
Vascular adaptation in pregnancy and endothelial dysfunction in preeclampsia
Maternal vascular adaptation to pregnancy is critically important to expand the capacity for blood flow through the uteroplacental unit to meet the needs of the developing fetus. Failure of the maternal vasculature to properly adapt can result in hypertensive disorders of pregnancy such as preeclampsia (PE). Herein, we review the endocrinology of maternal adaptation to pregnancy and contrast this with that of PE. Our focus is specifically on those hormones that directly influence endothelial cell function and dysfunction, as endothelial cell dysfunction is a hallmark of PE. A variety of growth factors and cytokines are pre...
Source: Journal of Endocrinology - November 16, 2016 Category: Endocrinology Authors: Boeldt, D. S., Bird, I. M. Tags: Review Source Type: research
Acknowledgement to reviewers
(Source: Journal of Endocrinology)
Source: Journal of Endocrinology - November 16, 2016 Category: Endocrinology Tags: Acknowledgement Source Type: research
TSC1-mTOR signaling determines the differentiation of islet cells
Neurogenin3-driven deletion of tuberous sclerosis complex 1 (Tsc1) activated mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) measured by the upregulation of mTOR and S6 phosphorylation in islet cells. Neurogenin3-Tsc1–/– mice demonstrated a significant increase in average islet size and mean area of individual islet cell. Insulin mRNA and plasma insulin levels increased significantly after weaning. Glucagon mRNA and plasma levels increased in neonate followed by modest reduction in adult. Somatostatin mRNA and plasma levels markedly increased. Neurogenin3-Tsc1–/– mice fed standard chow demonstrat...
Source: Journal of Endocrinology - November 13, 2016 Category: Endocrinology Authors: Ding, L., Yin, Y., Han, L., Li, Y., Zhao, J., Zhang, W. Tags: Research Source Type: research
Differential effects of hypercaloric choice diets on insulin sensitivity in rats
We showed previously that rats on a free-choice high-fat, high-sugar (fcHFHS) diet become rapidly obese and develop glucose intolerance within a week. Interestingly, neither rats on a free-choice high-fat diet (fcHF), although equally obese and hyperphagic, nor rats on a free-choice high-sugar (fcHS) diet consuming more sugar water, develop glucose intolerance. Here, we investigate whether changes in insulin sensitivity contribute to the observed glucose intolerance and whether this is related to consumption of saturated fat and/or sugar water. Rats received either a fcHFHS, fcHF, fcHS or chow diet for one week. We perform...
Source: Journal of Endocrinology - November 13, 2016 Category: Endocrinology Authors: Diepenbroek, C., Eggels, L., Ackermans, M. T., Fliers, E., Kalsbeek, A., Serlie, M. J., la Fleur, S. E. Tags: Research Source Type: research
Oviduct: roles in fertilization and early embryo development
Animal oviducts and human Fallopian tubes are a part of the female reproductive tract that hosts fertilization and pre-implantation development of the embryo. With an increasing understanding of roles of the oviduct at the cellular and molecular levels, current research signifies the importance of the oviduct on naturally conceived fertilization and pre-implantation embryo development. This review highlights the physiological conditions within the oviduct during fertilization, environmental regulation, oviductal fluid composition and its role in protecting embryos and supplying nutrients. Finally, the review compares diffe...
Source: Journal of Endocrinology - November 13, 2016 Category: Endocrinology Authors: Li, S., Winuthayanon, W. Tags: Review Source Type: research
Prenatal corticosterone exposure programs sex-specific adrenal adaptations in mouse offspring
This study investigated the long-term impact of prenatal exposure to Cort on adrenal growth, morphology and steroidogenic capacity as well as plasma Cort concentrations in offspring at postnatal day 30 (PN30), 6 months and 12 months of age. Prenatal Cort exposure decreased adrenal volume, particularly of the zona fasciculata, in male offspring at PN30 but increased both relative and absolute adrenal weight at 6 months of age. By 12 months of age, male Cort-exposed offspring had reduced absolute adrenal weight in association with increased adrenal plaque deposition (lipogenic pigmentation). Plasma Cort concentrations were e...
Source: Journal of Endocrinology - November 10, 2016 Category: Endocrinology Authors: Cuffe, J. S. M., Turton, E. L., Akison, L. K., Bielefeldt-Ohmann, H., Moritz, K. M. Tags: Research Source Type: research
Metabolic dysfunction in female mice with disruption of 5{alpha}-reductase 1
5α-Reductases irreversibly catalyse A-ring reduction of pregnene steroids, including glucocorticoids and androgens. Genetic disruption of 5α-reductase 1 in male mice impairs glucocorticoid clearance and predisposes to glucose intolerance and hepatic steatosis upon metabolic challenge. However, it is unclear whether this is driven by changes in androgen and/or glucocorticoid action. Female mice with transgenic disruption of 5α-reductase 1 (5αR1-KO) were studied, representing a ‘low androgen’ state. Glucocorticoid clearance and stress responses were studied in mice aged 6 months. Metabolis...
Source: Journal of Endocrinology - November 10, 2016 Category: Endocrinology Authors: Livingstone, D. E. W., Di Rollo, E. M., Mak, T. C.-S., Sooy, K., Walker, B. R., Andrew, R. Tags: Research Source Type: research
Prepuberal light phase feeding induces neuroendocrine alterations in adult rats
Feeding patterns are important factors in obesity evolvement. Time-restricted feeding schedules (tRF) during resting phase change energy homeostasis regulation, disrupting the circadian release of metabolism-regulating hormones, such as leptin, insulin and corticosterone and promoting body weight gain. Thyroid (HPT) and adrenal (HPA) axes exhibit a circadian regulation and are involved in energy expenditure, thus studying their parameters in tRF paradigms will elucidate their role in energy homeostasis impairments under such conditions. As tRF in young animals is poorly studied, we subjected prepuberal rats to a tRF either...
Source: Journal of Endocrinology - November 8, 2016 Category: Endocrinology Authors: Garcia-Luna, C., Soberanes-Chavez, P., de Gortari, P. Tags: Research Source Type: research
Expression of wnt4/5 during reproductive cycle of catfish and wnt5 promoter analysis
This study is the first of its kind to report the critical transcriptional interaction of Pax2 on wnt5 vis-à-vis ovarian development in teleosts. (Source: Journal of Endocrinology)
Source: Journal of Endocrinology - November 8, 2016 Category: Endocrinology Authors: Prathibha, Y., Senthilkumaran, B. Tags: Research Source Type: research
Disruption of beta3 adrenergic receptor increases susceptibility to DIO in mouse
In conclusion, ARβ3 inactivation does not affect BAT thermogenesis but increases susceptibility to diet-induced obesity by dampening WAT lipolytic response to adrenergic stimulation. (Source: Journal of Endocrinology)
Source: Journal of Endocrinology - November 2, 2016 Category: Endocrinology Authors: Preite, N. Z., Nascimento, B. P. P. d., Muller, C. R., Americo, A. L. V., Higa, T. S., Evangelista, F. S., Lancellotti, C. L., Henriques, F. d. S., Batista, M. L., Bianco, A. C., Ribeiro, M. O. Tags: Research Source Type: research
Myometrial cytokines and their role in the onset of labour
Human labour is an inflammatory event, physiologically driven by an interaction between hormonal and mechanical factors and pathologically associated with infection, bleeding and excessive uterine stretch. The initiation and communicators of inflammation is still not completely understood; however, a key role for cytokines has been implicated. We summarise the current understanding of the nature and role of cytokines, chemokines and hormones and their involvement in signalling within the myometrium particularly during labour. (Source: Journal of Endocrinology)
Source: Journal of Endocrinology - November 2, 2016 Category: Endocrinology Authors: Sivarajasingam, S. P., Imami, N., Johnson, M. R. Tags: Review Source Type: research
Absorption and distribution of estradiol from male seminal emissions during mating
Estradiol-17β (E2) plays critical roles in female maturation, sexual receptivity, ovulation and fertility. In many mammals, contact with males can similarly affect these female parameters, whereas male excretions contain significant quantities of E2. We administered radiolabeled estradiol ([3H]E2) to male mice in doses representing a small fraction of their endogenous E2. These males were paired with sexually receptive females, and radioactivity was traced into the females’ systems. In Experiment 1, males were given [3H]E2 at 24 and 1 h before mating. Male-to-female [3H]E2 transfer intensified with increasing nu...
Source: Journal of Endocrinology - October 31, 2016 Category: Endocrinology Authors: deCatanzaro, D., Pollock, T. Tags: Research Source Type: research
