scholarly journals Nucleus accumbens melanin-concentrating hormone signaling promotes feeding in a sex-specific manner

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah J. Terrill ◽  
Keshav Subramanian ◽  
Rae Lan ◽  
Clarissa M. Liu ◽  
Alyssa M. Cortella ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nucleus Accumbens ◽  
Food Intake ◽  
Zona Incerta ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Nucleus Accumbens Shell ◽  
Female Sex Hormones ◽  
Melanin Concentrating Hormone

AbstractMelanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) is an orexigenic neuropeptide produced in the lateral hypothalamus and zona incerta that increases food intake. The neuronal pathways and behavioral mechanisms mediating the orexigenic effects of MCH are poorly understood, as is the extent to which MCH-mediated feeding outcomes are sex-dependent. Here we investigate the hypothesis that MCH-producing neurons act in the nucleus accumbens shell (ACBsh) to promote feeding behavior and motivation for palatable food in a sex-dependent manner. We utilized ACBsh MCH receptor (MCH1R)-directed pharmacology as well as a dual virus chemogenetic approach to selectively activate MCH neurons that project to the ACBsh. Results reveal that both ACBsh MCH1R activation and activating ACBsh-projecting MCH neurons increase consumption of standard chow and palatable sucrose in male rats without affecting motivated operant responding for sucrose, general activity levels, or anxiety-like behavior. In contrast, food intake was not affected in female rats by either ACBsh MCH1R activation or ACBsh-projecting MCH neuron activation. To determine a mechanism for this sexual dimorphism, we investigated whether the orexigenic effect of ACBsh MCH1R activation is reduced by endogenous estradiol signaling. In ovariectomized female rats on a cyclic regimen of either estradiol (EB) or oil vehicle, ACBsh MCH1R activation increased feeding only in oil-treated rats, suggesting that EB attenuates the ability of ACBsh MCH signaling to promote food intake. Collective results show that that MCH ACBsh signaling promotes feeding in an estrogen- and sex-dependent manner, thus identifying novel neurobiological mechanisms through which MCH and female sex hormones interact to influence food intake.

Age- and sex-dependent stimulation of growth rate in rats by the adrenal inhibitor trilostane

1987 ◽  
Vol 113 (3) ◽  
pp. 479-484 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. N. Sillence ◽  
R. G. Rodway
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Food Intake ◽  
Conversion Efficiency ◽  
Plasma Corticosterone ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Food Conversion ◽  
Male And Female Rats ◽  
Food Conversion Efficiency

ABSTRACT The effects of the adrenal inhibitor trilostane were examined in male and female rats to determine whether growth rate could be improved by lowering circulating plasma corticosterone concentrations. Dose–response studies revealed that in young female rats (125 g) trilostane lowered peak plasma corticosterone levels in a dose-dependent manner. In male rats plasma corticosterone concentrations were reduced only by very high doses of trilostane (200 mg/kg), while lower doses (2–8 mg/kg) actually increased them. Five growth studies were conducted using a total of 90 rats. In female animals, daily injections of trilostane (10 mg/day) caused an age-dependent increase in growth rate ranging from 11% in 127 g rats to 30% in 164 g rats. In three out of four experiments using females, food intake was slightly increased by the drug. Food conversion efficiency was improved consistently by trilostane by up to 18%. Trilostane-treated females had significantly heavier adrenal glands and livers, but lighter kidneys than control rats. When a complete carcass analysis was performed on one experimental group, no significant differences were found. Carcass component weights relative to control values were: body weight (103%), body water (105%), fat-free solids (103%), carcass weight (103%), body length (103%), body fat (95%) and gut content (96%). In male rats (160 g), daily injections of trilostane (10 mg) resulted in a steady and sustained depression of growth rate reflecting a similar fall in food intake, with no change in food conversion efficiency. It is concluded that in older female rats growth rate is constrained by physiological concentrations of glucocorticoids. Younger females are either less sensitive to trilostane or to changes in plasma corticosterone levels. Male rats are less responsive to adrenal suppression by trilostane than are females of a similar age and do not exhibit an anabolic response to this drug. J. Endocr. (1987) 113, 479–484

scholarly journals Sex Differences in Escalated Methamphetamine Self-Administration and Altered Gene Expression Associated With Incubation of Methamphetamine Seeking

2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (11) ◽  
pp. 710-723 ◽  
Author(s):  
Atul P Daiwile ◽  
Subramaniam Jayanthi ◽  
Bruce Ladenheim ◽  
Michael T McCoy ◽  
Christie Brannock ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sex Differences ◽  
Nucleus Accumbens ◽  
Fixed Ratio ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Self Administration ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Orexin Receptors ◽  
Male And Female Rats

Abstract Background Methamphetamine (METH) use disorder is prevalent worldwide. There are reports of sex differences in quantities of drug used and relapses to drug use among individuals with METH use disorder. However, the molecular neurobiology of these potential sex differences remains unknown. Methods We trained rats to self-administer METH (0. 1 mg/kg/infusion, i.v.) on an fixed-ratio-1 schedule for 20 days using two 3-hour daily METH sessions separated by 30-minute breaks. At the end of self-administration training, rats underwent tests of cue-induced METH seeking on withdrawal days 3 and 30. Twenty-four hours later, nucleus accumbens was dissected and then used to measure neuropeptide mRNA levels. Results Behavioral results show that male rats increased the number of METH infusions earlier during self-administration training and took more METH than females. Both male and female rats could be further divided into 2 phenotypes labeled high and low takers based on the degree of escalation that they exhibited during the course of the METH self-administration experiment. Both males and females exhibited incubation of METH seeking after 30 days of forced withdrawal. Females had higher basal mRNA levels of dynorphin and hypocretin/orexin receptors than males, whereas males expressed higher vasopressin mRNA levels than females under saline and METH conditions. Unexpectedly, only males showed increased expression of nucleus accumbens dynorphin after METH self-administration. Moreover, there were significant correlations between nucleus accumbens Hcrtr1, Hcrtr2, Crhr2, and Avpr1b mRNA levels and cue-induced METH seeking only in female rats. Conclusion Our results identify some behavioral and molecular differences between male and female rats that had self-administered METH. Sexual dimorphism in responses to METH exposure should be considered when developing potential therapeutic agents against METH use disorder.

scholarly journals Role of Ventromedial Hypothalamus in Sucrose-Induced Obesity on Metabolic Parameters

2021 ◽  
pp. 097275312110057
Author(s):  
Archana Gaur ◽  
G.K. Pal ◽  
Pravati Pal
Keyword(s):  
Insulin Resistance ◽  
Weight Gain ◽  
Food Intake ◽  
Ventromedial Hypothalamus ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Metabolic Parameters ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Significant Weight Gain ◽  
The Metabolic Syndrome

Background: Obesity is because of excessive fat accumulation that affects health adversely in the form of various diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, and many other disorders. Our Indian diet is rich in carbohydrates, and hence the sucrose-induced obesity is an apt model to mimic this. Ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH) is linked to the regulation of food intake in animals as well as humans. Purpose: To understand the role of VMHin sucrose-induced obesity on metabolic parameters. Methods: A total of 24 adult rats were made obese by feeding them on a 32% sucrose solution for 10 weeks. The VMH nucleus was ablated in the experimental group and sham lesions were made in the control group. Food intake, body weight, and biochemical parameters were compared before and after the lesion. Results: Male rats had a significant weight gain along with hyperphagia, whereas female rats did not have a significant weight gain inspite of hyperphagia. Insulin resistance and dyslipidemia were seen in both the experimental and control groups. Conclusion: A sucrose diet produces obesity which is similar to the metabolic syndrome with insulin resistance and dyslipidemia, and a VMH lesion further exaggerates it. Males are more prone to this exaggeration.

The anorectic effect of fenfluramine is influenced by sex and stage of the estrous cycle in rats

2005 ◽  
Vol 288 (6) ◽  
pp. R1486-R1491 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa A. Eckel ◽  
Heidi M. Rivera ◽  
Deann P. D. Atchley
Keyword(s):  
Food Intake ◽  
Estrous Cycle ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Gonadal Hormone ◽  
Estrous Female ◽  
Male And Female Rats ◽  
Daily Food ◽  
Hormone Status ◽  
Anorectic Effect

The controls of food intake differ in male and female rats. Daily food intake is typically greater in male rats, relative to female rats, and a decrease in food intake, coincident with the estrous stage of the ovarian reproductive cycle, is well documented in female rats. This estrous-related decrease in food intake has been attributed to a transient increase in the female rat's sensitivity to satiety signals generated during feeding bouts. Here, we investigated whether sex or stage of the estrous cycle modulate the satiety signal generated by fenfluramine, a potent serotonin (5-HT) releasing agent. To examine this hypothesis, food intake was monitored in male, diestrous female, and estrous female rats after intraperitoneal injections of 0, 0.25, and 1.0 mg/kg d-fenfluramine. The lower dose of fenfluramine decreased food intake only in diestrous and estrous females, suggesting that the minimally effective anorectic dose of fenfluramine is lower in female rats, relative to male rats. Although the larger dose of fenfluramine decreased food intake in both sexes, the duration of anorexia was greater in diestrous and estrous female rats, relative to male rats. Moreover, the magnitude of the anorectic effect of the larger dose of fenfluramine was greatest in estrous rats, intermediate in diestrous rats, and least in male rats. Thus our findings indicate that the anorectic effect of fenfluramine is modulated by gonadal hormone status.

Prolactin stimulates food intake in a dose-dependent manner

1989 ◽  
Vol 256 (1) ◽  
pp. R276-R280 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Gerardo-Gettens ◽  
B. J. Moore ◽  
J. S. Stern ◽  
B. A. Horwitz
Keyword(s):  
Food Intake ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
High Dose ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Additional Control ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Ovine Prolactin ◽  
Dose Dependent ◽  
Medium Dose ◽  
Cumulative Food Intake

Lactation in the rat is marked by pronounced hyperphagia and suppression of brown fat (BAT) thermogenic capacity. We previously examined the possibility that elevated prolactin levels mediate these changes. The present study evaluated the effect of varying prolactin levels on food intake, BAT mitochondrial GDP binding, and carcass adiposity. Female rats were injected daily for 10 days with ovine prolactin at one of three doses: high = 3.0, medium = 1.0, or low = 0.3 micrograms/g body wt. Controls were injected with 0.9% NaCl. A group of uninjected rats served as an additional control. Cumulative food intake was significantly elevated in a dose-dependent manner in the prolactin-treated animals relative to the saline-injected and uninjected controls. Compared with the saline controls, the mean cumulative food intake was greatest at the high dose (20% increase), intermediate at the medium dose (17%), and smallest at the low dose (12%). Prolactin-treated rats gained significantly more weight during the experiment than did controls. Despite the hyperphagia in the prolactin-treated rats, no significant differences in BAT mitochondrial GDP binding were observed among the five groups. These data indicate that elevated prolactin levels stimulate food intake in a dose-dependent manner and that this hyperphagia is not accompanied by an increase in BAT mitochondrial GDP binding.

scholarly journals Antidiarrheal Activity of Dissotis multiflora (Sm) Triana (Melastomataceae) Leaf Extract in Wistar Rats and Subacute Toxicity Evaluation

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alian Désiré Afagnigni ◽  
Maximilienne Ascension Nyegue ◽  
Chantal Florentine Ndoye Foe ◽  
Youchahou Njankouo Ndam ◽  
Frédéric Nico Njayou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Wistar Rats ◽  
Leaf Extract ◽  
Shigella Flexneri ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Subacute Toxicity ◽  
Antidiarrheal Activity ◽  
Dose Dependent ◽  
Ethanolic Leaf Extract

The present work was undertaken to evaluate antidiarrheal activity of ethanolic leaf extract of Dissotis multiflora (Sm) Triana (D. multiflora) on Shigella flexneri-induced diarrhea in Wistar rats and its subacute toxicity. Diarrhea was induced by oral administration of 1.2 × 109 cells/mL S. flexneri to rats. Antidiarrheal activity was investigated in rats with the doses of 111.42 mg/kg, 222.84 mg/kg, and 445.68 mg/kg. The level of biochemical parameters was assessed and organs histology examined by 14 days’ subacute toxicity. S. flexneri stool load decreased significantly in dose-dependent manner. The level of ALT increased (p<0.05) in male rats treated with the dose of 445.68 mg/kg while creatinine level increased in rats treated with both doses. In female rats, a significant decrease (p<0.05) of the level of AST and creatinine was noted in rats treated with the dose of 222.84 mg/kg of D. multiflora. Histological exams of kidney and liver of treated rats showed architectural modifications at the dose of 445.68 mg/kg. This finding suggests that D. multiflora leaf extract is efficient against diarrhea caused by S. flexneri but the treatment with doses lower than 222.84 mg/kg is recommended while further study is required to define the exact efficient nontoxic dose.

Role of neuropeptide neuromedin U in the nucleus accumbens shell in cocaine self-administration in male rats

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
James M. Kasper ◽  
Ashley E. Smith ◽  
Sierra N. Miller ◽  
Ara ◽  
William K. Russell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nucleus Accumbens ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Nucleus Accumbens Shell ◽  
Self Administration

scholarly journals Blockade of the endovanilloid receptor, TRPV1, and of the endocannabinoid enzyme, FAAH, within the nucleus accumbens shell elicits anxiolytic-like effects in male rats

2020 ◽  
Vol 732 ◽  
pp. 135023 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thibaut R. Pardo-García ◽  
Nadira Yusif-Rodriguez ◽  
Guillermo Yudowski ◽  
Carmen S. Maldonado-Vlaar
Keyword(s):  
Nucleus Accumbens ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Nucleus Accumbens Shell

Can Estrogens Diminish Exercise Induced Muscle Damage?

1995 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 26-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter M. Tiidus
Keyword(s):  
Free Radical ◽  
Muscle Damage ◽  
Membrane Lipids ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Muscle Membrane ◽  
Potential Significance ◽  
Membrane Stabilization ◽  
Female Sex Hormones ◽  
Exercise Induced

Estrogens are female sex hormones that may also protect against peroxidative damage of membrane lipids and low density lipoproteins (LDL). Studies have reported that female rats have greater protection against free radical induced lipid peroxidation and muscle damage consequent to exercise than do male rats. It has been suggested that the lower susceptibility to exercise induced oxidative stress and muscle membrane disruption of female rats may be due primarily to the antioxidant and membrane stabilizing properties of estrogens. Studies on humans have indicated that the lower incidence of atherosclerosis seen in premenopausal females in comparison to males is due at least in part to the ability of estrogens to diminish LDL peroxidation. However, there is little evidence as to the potential of estrogens to protect human females from free radical induced peroxidation and muscle damage due to exercise. This paper reviews the evidence for membrane stabilization potential of estrogens and their possible mechanisms, and speculates as to the potential significance of this for human exercise. Key words: estradiol, atherosclerosis, free radicals, peroxidation, antioxidants

scholarly journals Oleoylethanolamide decreases frustration stress-induced binge-like eating in female rats: a novel potential treatment for binge eating disorder

2020 ◽  
Vol 45 (11) ◽  
pp. 1931-1941 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adele Romano ◽  
Maria Vittoria Micioni Di Bonaventura ◽  
Cristina Anna Gallelli ◽  
Justyna Barbara Koczwara ◽  
Dorien Smeets ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Eating Disorder ◽  
Nucleus Accumbens ◽  
Food Intake ◽  
Binge Eating ◽  
Binge Eating Disorder ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Early Gene ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Palatable Food ◽  
Brain Areas

Abstract Binge eating disorder (BED) is the most frequent eating disorder, for which current pharmacotherapies show poor response rates and safety concerns, thus highlighting the need for novel treatment options. The lipid-derived messenger oleoylethanolamide (OEA) acts as a satiety signal inhibiting food intake through the involvement of central noradrenergic and oxytocinergic neurons. We investigated the anti-binge effects of OEA in a rat model of binge-like eating, in which, after cycles of intermittent food restrictions/refeeding and palatable food consumptions, female rats show a binge-like intake of palatable food, following a 15-min exposure to their sight and smell (“frustration stress”). Systemically administered OEA dose-dependently (2.5, 5, and 10 mg kg−1) prevented binge-like eating. This behavioral effect was associated with a decreased activation (measured by mapping the expression of c-fos, an early gene widely used as a marker of cellular activation) of brain areas responding to stress (such as the nucleus accumbens and amygdala) and to a stimulation of areas involved in the control of food intake, such as the VTA and the PVN. These effects were paralleled, also, to the modulation of monoamine transmission in key brain areas involved in both homeostatic and hedonic control of eating. In particular, a decreased dopaminergic response to stress was observed by measuring dopamine extracellular concentrations in microdialysates from the nucleus accumbens shell, whereas an increased serotonergic and noradrenergic tone was detected in tissue homogenates of selected brain areas. Finally, a decrease in corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) mRNA levels was induced by OEA in the central amygdala, while an increase in oxytocin mRNA levels was induced in the PVN. The restoration of a normal oxytocin receptor density in the striatum paralleled the oxytocinergic stimulation produced by OEA. In conclusion, we provide evidence suggesting that OEA might represent a novel potential pharmacological target for the treatment of binge-like eating behavior.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document