scholarly journals Unravelling the role of thyroid hormones in seasonal neuroplasticity in European Starlings (Sturnus vulgaris)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jasmien EMJ Orije ◽  
Sander R Raymaekers ◽  
Gaurav Majumadar ◽  
Geert De Groof ◽  
Elisabeth Jonckers ◽  
...  

Thyroid hormones clearly play a role in the seasonal regulation of reproduction, but any role they might play in song behavior and the associated seasonal neuroplasticity in songbirds remains to be elucidated. To pursue this question, we first established seasonal patterns in the expression of thyroid hormone regulating genes in male European starlings employing in situ hybridization methods. Thyroid hormone transporter LAT1 expression in the song nucleus HVC was elevated during the photosensitive phase, pointing towards an active role of thyroid hormones during this window of possible neuroplasticity. In contrast, DIO3 expression was high in HVC during the photostimulated phase, limiting the possible effect of thyroid hormones to maintain song stability during the breeding season. Next, we studied the effect of hypothyroidism on song behavior and neuroplasticity using in vivo MRI. Hypothyroidism inhibited the photostimulation-induced increase in testosterone, confirming the role of thyroid hormones in activating the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis. Surprisingly, apart from the myelination of several tracts during the photostimulated phase, most neuroplasticity related to song production was unaffected by hypothyroidism. Remarkably, T3 plasma concentrations were negatively correlated to the microstructural changes in several song control nuclei. Potentially, a global reduction of circulating thyroid hormones during the photosensitive period is necessary to lift the brake imposed by the photorefractory period, whereas local fine-tuning of thyroid hormone concentrations through LAT1 could activate underlying neuroplasticity mechanisms. Given the complexity of thyroid hormone effects, this study is a steppingstone to disentangle the influence of thyroid hormones on seasonal neuroplasticity.

1988 ◽  
Vol 117 (2) ◽  
pp. 223-228 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. J. Lauterio ◽  
C. G. Scanes

ABSTRACT The possible role of thyroid hormones in the rise in plasma GH observed in protein-restricted chicks was examined. Increased sensitivity of protein-restricted chicks to secretagogue challenge (TRH or GH-releasing factor) appears to account, at least in part, for increased GH concentrations in protein-restricted chicks. Thyroid hormones administered acutely were able to suppress plasma GH concentrations in protein-restricted chicks. Further, chronic thyroid hormone supplementation to low protein diets normalized circulating thyroid hormone concentrations and also normalized the response to GH secretagogue challenge. This decreased sensitivity to TRH provocation occurred without an accompanying change in plasma concentrations of insulin-like growth factor-I, a reputed inhibitor of GH secretion in the chicken. J. Endocr. (1988) 117, 223–228


2016 ◽  
Vol 86 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 127-151 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zeshan Ali ◽  
Zhenbin Wang ◽  
Rai Muhammad Amir ◽  
Shoaib Younas ◽  
Asif Wali ◽  
...  

While the use of vinegar to fi ght against infections and other crucial conditions dates back to Hippocrates, recent research has found that vinegar consumption has a positive effect on biomarkers for diabetes, cancer, and heart diseases. Different types of vinegar have been used in the world during different time periods. Vinegar is produced by a fermentation process. Foods with a high content of carbohydrates are a good source of vinegar. Review of the results of different studies performed on vinegar components reveals that the daily use of these components has a healthy impact on the physiological and chemical structure of the human body. During the era of Hippocrates, people used vinegar as a medicine to treat wounds, which means that vinegar is one of the ancient foods used as folk medicine. The purpose of the current review paper is to provide a detailed summary of the outcome of previous studies emphasizing the role of vinegar in treatment of different diseases both in acute and chronic conditions, its in vivo mechanism and the active role of different bacteria.


Author(s):  
Young-Min Han ◽  
Min Sun Kim ◽  
Juyeong Jo ◽  
Daiha Shin ◽  
Seung-Hae Kwon ◽  
...  

AbstractThe fine-tuning of neuroinflammation is crucial for brain homeostasis as well as its immune response. The transcription factor, nuclear factor-κ-B (NFκB) is a key inflammatory player that is antagonized via anti-inflammatory actions exerted by the glucocorticoid receptor (GR). However, technical limitations have restricted our understanding of how GR is involved in the dynamics of NFκB in vivo. In this study, we used an improved lentiviral-based reporter to elucidate the time course of NFκB and GR activities during behavioral changes from sickness to depression induced by a systemic lipopolysaccharide challenge. The trajectory of NFκB activity established a behavioral basis for the NFκB signal transition involved in three phases, sickness-early-phase, normal-middle-phase, and depressive-like-late-phase. The temporal shift in brain GR activity was differentially involved in the transition of NFκB signals during the normal and depressive-like phases. The middle-phase GR effectively inhibited NFκB in a glucocorticoid-dependent manner, but the late-phase GR had no inhibitory action. Furthermore, we revealed the cryptic role of basal GR activity in the early NFκB signal transition, as evidenced by the fact that blocking GR activity with RU486 led to early depressive-like episodes through the emergence of the brain NFκB activity. These results highlight the inhibitory action of GR on NFκB by the basal and activated hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA)-axis during body-to-brain inflammatory spread, providing clues about molecular mechanisms underlying systemic inflammation caused by such as COVID-19 infection, leading to depression.


1983 ◽  
Vol 103 (1) ◽  
pp. 95-100 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sadhana Chatterjee ◽  
Amar Singh Chandel

Abstract. In an attempt to find out the mechanism of immunomodulation by thyroid hormones (T3 and T4), their in vivo effect on the blastogenic response of lymphocytes from various lymphoid tissues of hormonetreated and thyroidectomized rats were studied. The blastogenic response of lymphocytes from thymus, peripheral blood and mesenteric lymph nodes to pokeweed mitogen (PWM) was found to be increased significantly following T3 or T4 administration for 15 days or 30 days. However, the response to phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) increased only after 1 month of T3 or T4 administration. The blastogenic response of spleen cells to both PHA and PWM was, on the other hand, found to be depressed following 15 days of hormone administration. Thyroidectomy invariably induced significant depression in the blastogenic response to both PHA and PWM in lymphocytes of all the lymphoid tissues. Thyroid hormone (T3) administration was found to restore the blastogenic response of the lymphocytes of thyroidectomized animals.


1977 ◽  
Vol 232 (5) ◽  
pp. C196-C201 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. D. Philipson ◽  
I. S. Edelman

To assess the possible role of the Na+ pump in mediating physiological responses to thyroid hormone in the rat myocardium, we examined the effects of L-3,5,3'-triiodothyronine (T3) on the activities of the closely associated enzymes, Na+-K+-dependent adenosine triphosphatase (Na-K-ATPase) and K+-dependent p-nitrophenyl phosphatase (K-dep-pNPPase). In hypothyroid rats, administration of T3 (50 microng/100 g body wt) resulted in significant increases (greater than 50%) in Na-K-ATPase and K-dep-pNPPase activities in both crude homogenates and microsomal fractions of the rat ventricle. Significant effects on Na-K-ATPase activity were also attained with low doses (1 microng/100 g body wt) of T3. A method was developed for assaying K-dep-pNPPase activity in cardiac slices. With this technique, enhancement in K-dep-pNPPase activity of 89.2% was found in ventricle slices after treatment of hypothyroid rats with T3 (50 microng/100 g body wt), implying that augmentation of the capacity of the Na+ pump is achieved in vivo. The potent analogue, L-3,5-diiodo-3' isopropyl thyronine (isopropyl T2) had the same effects on cardiac growth and Na-K-ATPase as T3, in hypothyroid rats. In contrast, the relatively inactive isomer, L-3,3',5'-triiodothyronine (reverse T3) had no significant effect on the heart weight-to-body weight ratio or on ventricular Na-K-ATPase activity.


2008 ◽  
Vol 36 (5) ◽  
pp. 868-873 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Talamillo ◽  
Jonatan Sánchez ◽  
Rosa Barrio

SUMOylation, a reversible process used as a ‘fine-tuning’ mechanism to regulate the role of multiple proteins, is conserved throughout evolution. This post-translational modification affects several cellular processes by the modulation of subcellular localization, activity or stability of a variety of substrates. A growing number of proteins have been identified as targets for SUMOylation, although, for many of them, the role of SUMO conjugation on their function is unknown. The use of model systems might facilitate the study of SUMOylation implications in vivo. In the present paper, we have compiled what is known about SUMOylation in Drosophila melanogaster, where the use of genetics provides new insights on SUMOylation's biological roles.


2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 26-29
Author(s):  
X Lourdes Sandy ◽  

Background: The most common endocrine disorder is hypothyroidism which accounts to 11%. Thyroid hormones have a wide array of functions such as physiological growth and development of skeletal system, maintenance of basal metabolic rate and regulation of various metabolisms, including mineral metabolism. Nowadays due to its direct action on bone turn over, thyroid hormones are considered to have an important role on bone mineral metabolism. Thyroid disorders are important cause for secondary osteoporosis. So the present study was done to know the levels of bone minerals, calcium and phosphorus in hypothyroidism and its relation with thyroid hormone levels. Methods: A case-control study was conducted on 30 hypothyroid patients and 30 euthyroid healthy controls in the age group of 20-60 years. Blood samples were collected from all the study population. Serum total triiodothyronine, total thyroxine and TSH by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay, Serum calcium by Arsenazo III method, phosphorous by ammonium molybdate method were estimated. Results: Serum calcium levels in cases was found to significantly reduced when compared to controls (p<0.001). Serum phosphorous levels also showed considerable elevation in cases when compared to controls (p<0.001). There was a significant negative correlation between TSH and serum calcium in cases. Conclusion: The present study indicated the important role of reduced thyroid hormone status on bone mineral metabolism. This study concludes that serum calcium was significantly reduced and phosphorus levels were significantly increased in hypothyroid patients when compared to euthyroid control subjects. So frequent monitoring of serum calcium and phosphorus in hypothyroid patients would reduce the burden of bone pathologies.


Author(s):  
J. H. H. Thijssen ◽  
M. A. Blankenstein

SynopsisThe levels of endogenous steroids in the target tissues are thought to be more closely related to the biological effects than their concentrations in plasma. Therefore studies on oestrogen levels in malignant and non-malignant breast tissues (expressed per g wet weight) were conducted and the following conclusions were drawn:(1) malignant tumours contained higher oestradiol levels than normal or benign breast tissues, whereas oestrone levels were more comparable;(2) in contrast to the large decrease in plasma concentrations after menopause, the levels of oestradiol in tumours and in normal breast tissue did not change with advancing age;(3) the oestradiol levels in breast tissues were lower than in uterine tissues, particularly in women before menopause; oestrone levels were very similar in all tissues studied;(4) the mean oestradiol level was higher in oestrogen-receptor-positive tumours, but no correlation between the two parameters was found;(5) preliminary results indicated lower oestradiol levels in tumours obtained from countries with a lower incidence of breast cancer;(6) as far as available, oestrone levels were comparable and those of oestradiol were lower in fat tissues than in breast tumours;(7) neither in vitro studies with breast tumours, nor in vivo results using myometrial tissues support a prominent role of the metabolism of oestrogens at the 16α-position in the development of tumours;(8) the role of local factors in the production, retention and metabolism of oestradiol in the breast remains to be elucidated.


2004 ◽  
Vol 24 (20) ◽  
pp. 9026-9037 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel R. Buchholz ◽  
Akihiro Tomita ◽  
Liezhen Fu ◽  
Bindu D. Paul ◽  
Yun-Bo Shi

ABSTRACT Thyroid hormone (T3) has long been known to be important for vertebrate development and adult organ function. Whereas thyroid hormone receptor (TR) knockout and transgenic studies of mice have implicated TR involvement in mammalian development, the underlying molecular bases for the resulting phenotypes remain to be determined in vivo, especially considering that T3 is known to have both genomic, i.e., through TRs, and nongenomic effects on cells. Amphibian metamorphosis is an excellent model for studying the role of TR in vertebrate development because of its total dependence on T3. Here we investigated the role of TR in metamorphosis by developing a dominant positive mutant thyroid hormone receptor (dpTR). In the frog oocyte transcription system, dpTR bound a T3-responsive promoter and activated the promoter independently of T3. Transgenic expression of dpTR under the control of a heat shock-inducible promoter in premetamorphic tadpoles led to precocious metamorphic transformations. Molecular analyses showed that dpTR induced metamorphosis by specifically binding to known T3 target genes, leading to increased local histone acetylation and gene activation, similar to T3-bound TR during natural metamorphosis. Our experiments indicated that the metamorphic role of T3 is through genomic action of the hormone, at least on the developmental parameters tested. They further provide the first example where TR is shown to mediate directly and sufficiently these developmental effects of T3 in individual organs by regulating target gene expression in these organs.


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