scholarly journals Pregnancy-induced adaptations of the central circadian clock and maternal glucocorticoids

2015 ◽  
Vol 228 (3) ◽  
pp. 135-147 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michaela D Wharfe ◽  
Peter J Mark ◽  
Caitlin S Wyrwoll ◽  
Jeremy T Smith ◽  
Cassandra Yap ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Circadian Clock ◽  
Hpa Axis ◽  
Clock Genes ◽  
Circadian Variation ◽  
Maternal Plasma ◽  
Plasma Corticosterone ◽  
Plasma Acth ◽  
Corticosterone Concentration ◽  
Physiological Adaptations ◽  
Acth Concentration

Maternal physiological adaptations, such as changes to the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis, are central to pregnancy success. Circadian variation of the HPA axis is dependent on clock gene rhythms in the hypothalamus, but it is not known whether pregnancy-induced changes in maternal glucocorticoid levels are mediated via this central clock. We hypothesized that hypothalamic expression of clock genes changes across mouse pregnancy and this is linked to altered HPA activity. The anterior hypothalamus and maternal plasma were collected from C57Bl/6J mice prior to pregnancy and on days 6, 10, 14 and 18 of gestation (term=d19), across a 24-h period (0800, 1200, 1600, 2000, 0000, 0400 h). Hypothalamic expression of clock genes and Crh was determined by qPCR, plasma ACTH concentration measured by Milliplex assay and plasma corticosterone concentration by LC-MS/MS. Expression of all clock genes varied markedly across gestation, most notably at mid-gestation when levels of each gene were elevated. The pregnancy-induced increase in maternal corticosterone levels (by up to 14-fold on day 14) was not accompanied by a parallel shift in plasma ACTH (28% lower on day 14 compared with non-pregnant levels). Moreover, while circadian rhythmicity in corticosterone was maintained up to day 14 of gestation, this was effectively lost by day 18. Overall, our data show that the central circadian clock undergoes marked adaptations throughout mouse pregnancy, changes that are likely to contribute to maternal physiological adaptations. Importantly, however, neither hypothalamic clock genes nor plasma ACTH levels appear to drive the marked increase in maternal corticosterone after mid-gestation.

INTERRELATIONSHIPS OF PITUITARY AND PLASMA CORTICOTROPHIN AND PLASMA CORTICOSTERONE IN ADRENALECTOMIZED AND STRESSED, ADRENALECTOMIZED RATS

1974 ◽  
Vol 63 (1) ◽  
pp. 213-222 ◽  
Author(s):  
JULIA C. BUCKINGHAM ◽  
J. R. HODGES
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Corticosterone ◽  
Prolonged Treatment ◽  
Delayed Effect ◽  
Plasma Acth ◽  
Corticosterone Concentration ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Small Rise ◽  
Acth Concentration ◽  
Corticosterone Treatment ◽  
Adrenalectomized Rats

SUMMARY Changes in pituitary and plasma corticotrophin (ACTH), estimated by redox bioassay, were correlated with changes in plasma corticosterone in adrenalectomized rats, with and without corticosterone treatment, before and after exposure to stress. After adrenalectomy, the plasma ACTH concentration was persistently increased. The pituitary ACTH content declined and then increased markedly. These changes were prevented by physiological doses of corticosteroids. Stress caused only a small rise in the plasma ACTH concentration in intact and sham-operated rats but a marked increase in adrenalectomized animals. This exaggerated response was reduced to normal by physiological doses of corticosterone. Prolonged treatment with higher doses of corticosterone was necessary to abolish completely the adrenocorticotrophic response to stress. However, one injection of the steroid, in a dose sufficient to raise the plasma corticosterone concentration to a similar level, did not impair the stress-induced release of ACTH. The results suggest that the synthesis and the basal release of ACTH are directly controlled by the concentration of corticosteroid in the blood, but the corticosteroids exert only a delayed effect in modulating the stress-induced release of the hormone.

Dissociation of adrenal corticosteroid production from ACTH in water-restricted female rats

1981 ◽  
Vol 241 (1) ◽  
pp. R21-R24 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. G. Doell ◽  
M. F. Dallman ◽  
R. B. Clayton ◽  
G. D. Gray ◽  
S. Levine
Keyword(s):  
Corticosterone Level ◽  
Plasma Corticosterone ◽  
Female Rats ◽  
Adrenocorticotrophic Hormone ◽  
Corticosterone Concentration ◽  
Acth Concentration

These experiments were undertaken to investigate the mechanism whereby a precipitous drop in plasma corticosterone concentration is brought about following drinking in rats on a restricted water schedule. No alteration in adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) output was found, nor was catabolism of corticosterone sufficient to account for the drop. It is concluded that corticosterone level is controlled under these conditions by a mechanism independent of ACTH concentration.

scholarly journals MECHANISMS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY: A sense of time of the glucocorticoid circadian clock: from the ontogeny to the diagnosis of Cushing’s syndrome

2018 ◽  
Vol 179 (1) ◽  
pp. R1-R18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ayrton Custodio Moreira ◽  
Sonir Rauber Antonini ◽  
Margaret de Castro
Keyword(s):  
Circadian Rhythm ◽  
Circadian Clock ◽  
Clock Genes ◽  
Circadian Variation ◽  
Circadian System ◽  
Feedback Loops ◽  
Adrenal Axis ◽  
Sense Of Time ◽  
Pituitary Adrenal Axis ◽  
Hierarchical Manner

The circadian rhythm of glucocorticoids has long been recognised within the last 75 years. Since the beginning, researchers have sought to identify basic mechanisms underlying the origin and emergence of the corticosteroid circadian rhythmicity among mammals. Accordingly, Young, Hall and Rosbash, laureates of the 2017 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, as well as Takahashi’s group among others, have characterised the molecular cogwheels of the circadian system, describing interlocking transcription/translation feedback loops essential for normal circadian rhythms. Plasma glucocorticoid circadian variation depends on the expression of intrinsic clock genes within the anatomic components of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis, which are organised in a hierarchical manner. This review presents a general overview of the glucocorticoid circadian clock mechanisms, highlighting the ontogeny of the pituitary–adrenal axis diurnal rhythmicity as well as the involvement of circadian rhythm abnormalities in the physiopathology and diagnosis of Cushing’s disease.

Sleep Deprivation Induces Neuroinflammation and Depressive-like Behaviors by Impairing the Regulation of Circadian Clock Genes Expression in Rats

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chen Xing ◽  
Yanzhao Zhou ◽  
Huan Xu ◽  
Mengnan Ding ◽  
Yifan Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sleep Deprivation ◽  
Circadian Clock ◽  
Glial Cell ◽  
Hpa Axis ◽  
Calcium Binding ◽  
Cell Activation ◽  
Clock Genes ◽  
Sleep Loss ◽  
Genes Expression ◽  
Circadian Clock Genes

Abstract Background: Sleep loss leads to a spectrum of mood disorders such as anxiety, cognitive dysfunction and motor coordination impairment in many individuals. However, the underlying mechanisms are largely unknown. Methods: In this study, we examined the effects of sleep deprivation (SD) on depression and the mechanism by subjecting rats to a slowly rotating platform for 3 days to mimic the process of sleep loss. Sleep-deprived animals were tested behaviorally for anxiety- and depressive-like behaviors. We further studied the effects of SD on hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis activity, and at the end of the experiment, brains were collected to measure the circadian clock genes expression in the hypothalamus, glial cell activation and inflammatory cytokine alterations. Results: Our results indicated that SD for 3 days resulted in anxiety- and depressive-like behaviors. SD exaggerated cortisol response to HPA axis, significantly altered the mRNA profile of circadian clock genes, and induced neuroinflammation by increasing the expression of glial cell markers, including the microglial marker ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 (Iba1) and the astroglial marker glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). The expression of M1 and M2 microglial markers (Arg-1 and CD206, respectively) and pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α) were increased in the brain. Conclusion: These results indicated that SD for 3 days induced anxiety- and depression-like behaviors in rats by impairing the regulation of circadian clock genes and inducing neuroinflammation, ultimately resulting in brain injury.

Interleukin 1 stimulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis

1990 ◽  
Vol 258 (1) ◽  
pp. E65-E70 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. R. Gwosdow ◽  
M. S. Kumar ◽  
H. H. Bode
Keyword(s):  
Interleukin 1 ◽  
Plasma Corticosterone ◽  
Male Rats ◽  
Plasma Acth ◽  
Organ Cultures ◽  
Intact Male ◽  
Corticosterone Concentration ◽  
Protein Binding Assay ◽  
Hypophysectomized Rats ◽  
Induced Changes

The effect of varying doses of purified human interleukin 1 (IL-1) on rectal temperature (Tr), hypothalamic corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), pituitary and plasma adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), and plamsa corticosterone was examined in intact male rats at 24 degrees C; plasma ACTH and corticosterone responses were also studied in hypophysectomized rats. In addition, IL-1-induced changes in corticosterone concentration were investigated by means of adrenal organ cultures. Tr was measured with thermocouples. CRH and ACTH levels were determined by radioimmunoassay, and corticosterone by protein-binding assay. Intravenous administration of IL-1 (0.063-1.0 ng) resulted in hyperthermia, which began 20 min postinjection and continued for an additional 30 min. IL-1 at a dose of 0.5 ng resulted in no change in hypothalamic CRH, pituitary ACTH, or plasma ACTH levels compared with saline-treated rats. Plasma corticosterone was significantly (P less than 0.05) elevated 30 min after IL-1 administration and returned to control levels after 1 h. The higher dose of IL-1 (1.0 ng) did not affect hypothalamic CRH content, but pituitary ACTH began to rise at 15 min and was significantly (P less than 0.05) elevated 30 min after injection. Rats receiving this dose displayed elevated (P less than 0.05) plasma ACTH and corticosterone levels 30 and 60 min postinjection. No change in plasma corticosterone was observed in hypophysectomized rats administered either 1 ng of IL-1 or 1 microgram of recombinant IL-1 beta (rIL-1 beta); adrenal organ cultures treated with IL-1 (10(-11) M) responded similarly.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

scholarly journals Altered Expression of Circadian Clock Genes in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation Is Associated with Atrial High-Rate Episodes and Left Atrial Remodeling

Diagnostics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 90
Author(s):  
Yung-Lung Chen ◽  
Jiin-Haur Chuang ◽  
Hui-Ting Wang ◽  
Huang-Chung Chen ◽  
Wen-Hao Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Circadian Clock ◽  
Left Atrial ◽  
Clock Genes ◽  
Circadian Variation ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Atrial Remodeling ◽  
Altered Expression ◽  
Expression Levels ◽  
Circadian Clock Genes

A prominent circadian variation is present in atrial fibrillation (AF) attacks that may be related to the expression of circadian clock genes. Little is known about the expression of circadian clock genes in AF. We prospectively enrolled 73 patients who had received pacemaker implantation, in order to define the burden of atrial high-rate episodes (AHREs) accurately. AF was diagnosed clinically in 43 (59%) patients (15 with persistent AF and 28 with paroxysmal AF). The expression levels of circadian clock genes of peripheral blood leukocytes were checked. There were more males and patients with a larger left atrial (LA) size and lower expression levels of BMAL1, CRY2, NR1D1, NR1D2, PER2, RORA, RORC, and TIM genes in persistent AF group than in other groups. There was a significant correlation between higher AHRE burden and larger LA size and between higher AHRE burden and decreased expression of circadian clock genes in patients with AF. LA volume and the expression of CRY1, NR1D1, and RORA are significantly associated with AHRE burden. However, the underlying mechanism needs to be elucidated in further studies.

HPA-axis responses during experimental colitis in the rat

2002 ◽  
Vol 282 (5) ◽  
pp. R1348-R1355 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kensaku Kojima ◽  
Yoshihisa Naruse ◽  
Norio Iijima ◽  
Naoki Wakabayashi ◽  
Shoji Mitsufuji ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Intake ◽  
Hpa Axis ◽  
Mrna Level ◽  
Experimental Colitis ◽  
Plasma Corticosterone ◽  
Acth Level ◽  
Trinitrobenzenesulfonic Acid ◽  
Plasma Acth ◽  
Healthy Control ◽  
Inflammatory Bowel

We investigated the responses of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis during experimental colitis induced by intracolonic administration of 2,4,6-trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid in the rat. On days 3 and 7 after induction of colitis, the corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) mRNA level in the parvocellular paraventricular nucleus (pPVN) of the hypothalamus was reduced, the plasma ACTH level remained at the basal level, and the plasma corticosterone (Cort) level was high. Induction of colitis on day 3 after adrenalectomy with Cort pellet replacement (ADX + Cort) resulted in a marked increase in CRH mRNA on day 7 after induction of colitis compared with noncolitic ADX + Cort animals. Pair feeding to match the food intake of the colitic animals resulted in no significant change in CRH mRNA in the pPVN, plasma ACTH, and Cort compared with healthy control animals. These findings indicated that CRH mRNA expression in the pPVN was inhibited by glucocorticoid feedback during this experimental colitis, and the decrease in food intake during colitis was not simply responsible for the expression of CRH mRNA. It is inferred that the HPA axis including the CRH level in the pPVN is altered in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Nycterohemeral difference in inhibition of stress-induced ACTH in adrenalectomized rats

1983 ◽  
Vol 244 (2) ◽  
pp. E186-E189 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. M. Wilson ◽  
S. E. Greer ◽  
M. A. Greer
Keyword(s):  
Feedback Inhibition ◽  
Daily Variation ◽  
Plasma Corticosterone ◽  
Circadian Rhythmicity ◽  
Feedback Signal ◽  
Plasma Acth ◽  
Acth Secretion ◽  
Corticosterone Concentration ◽  
Feedback Suppression ◽  
Adrenalectomized Rats

To determine the interactions among the determinants of ACTH secretion, we examined the influence of circadian rhythmicity on glucocorticoid suppression of ACTH. Adrenalectomized rats were injected with the same amount of corticosterone at 0900 and 1800 h, and plasma ACTH concentrations were determined under basal conditions and after a standard ether stress. At 0900 h, corticosterone suppressed both basal and stress-induced plasma ACTH concentrations. At 1800 h, the same treatment suppressed basal ACTH secretion but not the stress-induced rise. Although the same amount of corticosterone was injected at both times of day, the plasma corticosterone concentration 5 min after injection was higher at 1800 h than at 0900 h. This study indicates that there is a nycterohemeral difference in feedback suppression of stress-induced ACTH secretion by a given dose of corticosterone. The daily variation in feedback inhibition may be due to the additive effect of the evening surge stimulus and the stress stimulus that together override the feedback signal.

scholarly journals Is the plasma ACTH concentration a reliable parameter in the insulin tolerance test?

2003 ◽  
pp. 535-541 ◽  
Author(s):  
K Borm ◽  
M Slawik ◽  
L Seiler ◽  
F Flohr ◽  
M Petrick ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hpa Axis ◽  
Healthy Subjects ◽  
Peak Plasma ◽  
Tolerance Test ◽  
Insulin Tolerance Test ◽  
Cortisol Concentration ◽  
Plasma Acth ◽  
Hypothalamic Pituitary Adrenal ◽  
Insulin Tolerance ◽  
Acth Concentration

OBJECTIVE: The insulin tolerance test (ITT) is an established standardized test for the evaluation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. While a peak cortisol value of >18 microg/dl is usually interpreted as a sufficient response to the ITT, the plasma ACTH response has not yet been standardized. METHODS: We evaluated retrospectively the peak plasma ACTH concentrations during 140 ITTs in 125 patients with suspected pituitary insufficiency and prospectively in 15 healthy subjects. RESULTS: All healthy subjects had a peak cortisol concentration >/=18 microg/dl; 32 of 125 tests in the patients showed an insufficient cortisol response (peak cortisol concentration <18 microg/dl). The peak stimulated ACTH concentration in patients with secondary adrenal insufficiency (SAI) was 49.2+/-37.2 pg/ml (mean+/-s.d.) vs 130.9+/-89.3 pg/ml in patients without SAI, and 110.9+/-55.4 pg/ml in normal subjects (P<0.001). There was a weak, but significantly positive correlation between the peak ACTH and peak cortisol concentrations (rho=0.446, P<0.001), but there was also a very wide spread of the values. Defining a cut-off value for the peak plasma ACTH concentration with a sufficient sensitivity and specificity to identify patients with an impaired hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis was not possible. A peak plasma ACTH <20 pg/ml as a cut-off value had a sensitivity of 25% and a specificity of 98% for SAI. A cut-off value of a peak plasma ACTH <140 pg/ml had a sensitivity of 97% but a low specificity of 39%. CONCLUSIONS: Although there is a significant positive correlation between the peak ACTH and the peak cortisol concentrations, we conclude that there is no additional benefit in determining the ACTH concentrations during an ITT. Because of the strong variations of the values, the peak ACTH concentration is a poor parameter for the evaluation of the HPA axis.

Neonatal monosodium glutamate treatment alters both the activity and the sensitivity of the rat hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenocortical axis

1994 ◽  
Vol 141 (3) ◽  
pp. 497-503 ◽  
Author(s):  
P J Larsen ◽  
J D Mikkelsen ◽  
D Jessop ◽  
S L Lightman ◽  
H S Chowdrey
Keyword(s):  
Hpa Axis ◽  
Restraint Stress ◽  
Acute Stress ◽  
Monosodium Glutamate ◽  
Plasma Corticosterone ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Plasma Acth ◽  
Corticotrophin Releasing Factor ◽  
Acute And Chronic Stress ◽  
Corticosterone Response

Abstract We have investigated the effects of monosodium glutamate (MSG) lesioning of the arcuate nucleus on both central and peripheral components of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis under basal conditions and under acute and chronic stress. Plasma ACTH levels were lower in MSG-lesioned rats (27 ± 7 pg/ml) compared with controls (71 ± 18 pg/ml) while corticosterone levels were elevated (523 ± 84 ng/ml compared with 176 ± 34 ng/ml). Quantititative in situ hybridization histochemistry revealed that corticotrophin-releasing factor mRNA levels in the medial parvocellular part of the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus were significantly lower in MSG-treated rats. MSG lesioning resulted in an enhanced response of corticosterone to restraint stress (1309 ± 92 ng/ml compared with 628 ± 125 ng/ml in sham-lesioned animals), while ACTH responses to restraint stress in MSG-lesioned and sham-MSG groups were not significantly different (160 ± 24 pg/ml and 167 ± 24 pg/ml respectively). These data suggest that MSG-lesioned rats have an increased adrenocortical sensitivity. In rats subjected to the chronic osmotic stimulus of drinking 2% saline for 12 days, plasma ACTH levels were significantly reduced (15 ± 5 pg/ml) and the ACTH and corticosterone responses to restraint stress were eliminated. ACTH levels were also reduced in MSG-treated animals given 2% saline and the ACTH response to acute stress remained absent in these animals. However, a robust corticosterone response to restraint stress was observed in saline-treated MSG-lesioned rats. These data demonstrate that MSG lesioning results in elevated basal and stress-induced plasma corticosterone, and restores the adrenocortical response to stress which is absent in chronically osmotically stimulated rats. The evidence is consistent with the suggestion that MSG lesions a pathway involved in tonic inhibition of the HPA axis. In addition, the adrenocortical sensitivity to ACTH and other secretagogues may be increased in MSG-treated animals. Journal of Endocrinology (1994) 141, 497–503

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