Evaluation of changes in the secretion of corticotrophin releasing activity using the isolated rat hypothalamus incubated in vitro

1983 ◽  
Vol 97 (2) ◽  
pp. 291-300 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. S. Kamstra ◽  
P. Thomas ◽  
Janet Sadow
Keyword(s):  
Close Correlation ◽  
Plasma Corticosterone ◽  
Light Cycle ◽  
Glucocorticoid Treatment ◽  
Rat Hypothalamus ◽  
Adrenal System ◽  
Bioassay Technique ◽  
Isolated Rat

The secretion of corticotrophin releasing activity (CRA) from the isolated rat hypothalamus incubated in vitro was investigated under various conditions of incubation and of pretreatment of donor animals providing hypothalami. Media from hypothalamic incubations were assayed for CRA by a validated double in-vitro bioassay technique which differentiates CRA from vasopressin. A circadian rhythm was found in the secretion of CRA in vitro from isolated hypothalami obtained from animals killed at different times of the day. Secretion of CRA increased significantly at 19.00 h (dusk) compared with the secretion rate at 07.00 h, in synchrony with a rise in plasma corticosterone levels. In addition, both plasma corticosterone concentrations and CRA secretion in vitro were higher at 07.00 h than at 19.00 h after exposure of the donor animals to a reversed light cycle for 7–10 days. Hypothalami obtained from animals chronically treated with betamethasone in the drinking water showed a diminished secretion of CRA in vitro. Exposure of untreated animals to ether vapour for 2 min immediately before death significantly increased the subsequent secretion of CRA in vitro. Ether exposure did not significantly affect the secretion of CRA in vitro from hypothalami of betamethasone-treated rats. There was a close correlation between plasma corticosterone levels and in-vitro CRA release after these treatments. The results suggest that the secretion of CRA examined in this way is a phenomenon which can reflect the changes which occur in the activity of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal system in vivo during the 24-h cycle, after glucocorticoid treatment and after ether stress.

Regulation of corticotropin-releasing factor secretion in vitro by glucose

1988 ◽  
Vol 255 (3) ◽  
pp. E287-E292 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. P. Widmaier ◽  
P. M. Plotsky ◽  
S. W. Sutton ◽  
W. W. Vale
Keyword(s):  
Severe Hypoglycemia ◽  
Corticotropin Releasing Factor ◽  
Base Line ◽  
Rat Hypothalamus ◽  
Glucose Levels ◽  
The Media ◽  
Ethanesulfonic Acid ◽  
Isolated Rat

The neurosecretory responses of the isolated rat hypothalamus were assessed in vitro. Rat hypothalamic blocks were incubated for 30 min in a N-2-hydroxyethylpiperazine-N'-2-ethanesulfonic acid-buffered salt solution with 5.5 mM glucose (base-line collection period). The blocks were transferred to fresh buffer with a new concentration of glucose with or without various additions (test period); corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and other hormones in the media were determined by radioimmunoassay. CRF secretion was maximally increased to approximately 200% of base line at glucose concentrations less than 4 mM and decreased to 65% of base line at higher glucose concentrations. The increase in CRF secretion at low glucose (0.55 or 1.38 mM) was Ca2+ dependent and completely reversible. Hexamethonium, cyproheptadine, and atropine partially blocked the CRF response to 0.55 mM glucose. Glucose concentrations from 0 to 11 mM had no effect on the CRF response to 47.5 mM KCl. The inhibitory effects of high glucose were completely reversed by the addition of 2-deoxy-D-glucose (3-49 mM). Glucose levels did not alter secretion of either gonadotropin-releasing hormone or arginine vasopressin from hypothalamic blocks. The results suggest that the isolated rat hypothalamus is extremely sensitive to the level of glucose and that CRF is rapidly and reversibly secreted in response to slight reductions in glucose concentrations. These concentrations are consistent with those observed during moderate to severe hypoglycemia in vivo. The rise in glucocorticoids observed in vivo during hypoglycemia may result at least in part from the ability of the hypothalamus to directly sense glucose levels and promote secretion of CRF.

Adrenocortical function in aging exercise-trained rats

1977 ◽  
Vol 43 (5) ◽  
pp. 839-843 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. A. Severson ◽  
R. D. Fell ◽  
J. G. Tuig ◽  
D. R. Griffith
Keyword(s):  
Age Groups ◽  
Plasma Corticosterone ◽  
Treadmill Running ◽  
Adrenocortical Function ◽  
Elevated Plasma ◽  
Corticosterone Concentration ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship

Plasma corticosterone concentrations and in vitro adrenal secretion of corticosterone were determined in exercise-trained rats. Rats, 100, 200, and 300 days of age, were trained for a 10-wk period by treadmill running. Following the training program, rats were subjected to an acute bout of swimming. Acute swimming elevated plasma corticosterone concentrations in all age groups. At 170 days of age, the plasma corticosterone concentration following swimming was higher in exercise-trained rats than in controls. The opposite was true of acutely swum rats at 270 and 370 days of age. Acute swimming elevated the in vitro adrenal gland response to adrenocorticotropic hormone stimulation in control rats at all ages and in trained rats at 170 days of age. The in vivo relationship of epinephrine and the pituitary adrenal system is suggested as a mechanism which could have caused this response. The relationship of secretion rates to plasma corticosterone concentrations indicated that extra-adrenal mechanisms, such as decreased turnover, were also responsible for the elevated plasma corticosterone levels observed in response to acute swimming.

Reversal of renal and smooth muscle actions of the thromboxane mimetic U-44069 by diltiazem

1986 ◽  
Vol 250 (4) ◽  
pp. F619-F626 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Loutzenhiser ◽  
M. Epstein ◽  
C. Horton ◽  
P. Sonke
Keyword(s):  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Rat Kidney ◽  
Tension Development ◽  
45Ca Uptake ◽  
Aortic Smooth Muscle ◽  
Control Value ◽  
Potent Vasoconstrictor ◽  
Isolated Rat

U-44069 is a stable prostaglandin (PG) H2 analogue and a potent vasoconstrictor. Its in vivo and in vitro actions mimic those of thromboxane A2. We have studied the effects of the calcium antagonist diltiazem upon the vasoconstriction induced by U-44069 using isolated rat aortic smooth muscle and isolated perfused rat kidney (IPRK). The administration of 10(-6)M U-44069 elicited maximally effective contractions in isolated aortic rings and increased 45Ca uptake from a control value of 285 +/- 6 mumol/kg to 344 +/- 8 mumol/kg. Diltiazem reduced U-44069-induced tension development and 45Ca uptake of isolated aortic smooth muscle 73 +/- 2 and 91 +/- 3%, respectively. The dose dependency of each of these effects of diltiazem was similar (EC50 = 369 nM and 334 nM for tension and 45Ca flux, respectively). When administered to the IPRK, 10(-6) M U-44069 caused a 82 +/- 3% decrease in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and a 80 +/- 4% decrease in filtration fraction but reduced renal perfusate flow (RPF) only 13 +/- 8% (P less than 0.005). Diltiazem completely reversed the actions of U-44069 on the IPRK (EC50 = 288 nM and 323 nM for GFR and RPF, respectively). Diltiazem thus inhibited U-44069-induced tension development and 45Ca uptake by vascular smooth muscle and increased GFR within identical dose ranges. The contractile response of isolated rat glomeruli was also assessed. U-44069 reduced the volume of isolated glomeruli, but this action was neither prevented nor reversed by diltiazem. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that diltiazem increased GFR by inhibiting U-44069-induced Ca influx at preglomerular vessels.

Antiulcerogenic and antisecretory effects of a novel diphenylmethane derivative and antiestrogen binding site ligand

1988 ◽  
Vol 66 (8) ◽  
pp. 1139-1143 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gary B. Glavin ◽  
Lorne J. Brandes
Keyword(s):  
Binding Site ◽  
Gastric Acid ◽  
Stress Ulcer ◽  
Acid Output ◽  
Corticosterone Level ◽  
Plasma Corticosterone ◽  
Gastric Ulcers ◽  
Ulcer Formation

N,N-Diethyl-2-[4-(phenylmethyl)-phenoxy]-ethanamine hydrochloride (DPPE) is a para-diphenylmethane derivative that binds selectively and with high affinity to the microsomal antiestrogen binding site (AEBS). Recent studies with DPPE indicate that AEBS is closely related to a lower affinity non-H1, non-H2 histamine site that may be associated with calcium channels; the DPPE–AEBS site is different from that which verapamil binds, however. DPPE, but not verapamil, demonstrates antiproliferative effects in vitro and is antiestrogenic in vivo. We now show that DPPE profoundly inhibits restraint and cold stress and ethanol-induced gastric ulcer formation, accelerates ulcer healing, attenuates the stress-induced rise in plasma corticosterone level, and significantly reduces basal and H2 agonist (dimaprit)-stimulated and, to a lesser extent, bethanechol-stimulated gastric acid output in conscious rats. A nonulcerogenic but prostaglandin-depleting dose of indomethacin completely blocks the inhibitory effects of DPPE on stress ulcer formation. Conversely, verapamil only slightly attenuates dimaprit-stimulated gastric acid secretion and exacerbates ethanol-induced gastric ulcers; its anti-stress ulcer effects are only partially attenuated by indomethacin. These findings support the likelihood that the site of action of DPPE is different from that of verapamil, and that an effect on prostaglandins may, at least in part, contribute to its antiulcer and apparent cytoprotective effects.

Photoperiod alters phase difference between activity onset in vivo and mPer2::luc peak in vitro

2008 ◽  
Vol 295 (5) ◽  
pp. R1688-R1694 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carl T. Mickman ◽  
Jeremy S. Stubblefield ◽  
Mary E. Harrington ◽  
Dwight E. Nelson
Keyword(s):  
Phase Relationship ◽  
Stable Phase ◽  
Light Cycle ◽  
Behavioral Rhythms ◽  
Activity Onset ◽  
Long Photoperiod ◽  
Initial Cycle ◽  
Phase Relationships

Photoperiod is a significant modulator of behavior and physiology for many organisms. In rodents changes in photoperiod are associated with changes in circadian period and photic resetting of circadian pacemakers. Utilizing rhythms of in vivo behavior and in vitro mPer2::luc expression, we investigated whether different entrainment photoperiods [light:dark (L:D) 16:8 and L:D 8:16] alter the period or phase relationships between these rhythms and the entraining light cycle in Per2::luc C57BL/6J mice. We also tested whether mPer2::luc rhythms differs in anterior and posterior suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) slices. Our results demonstrate that photoperiod significantly changes the timing of the mPer2::luc peak relative to the time of light offset and the activity onset in vivo. In both L:D 8:16 and L:D 16:8 the mPer2::luc peak maintained a more stable phase relationship to activity offset, while altering the phase relationship to activity onset. After the initial cycle in culture, the period, phase, and peaks per cycle were not significantly different for anterior vs. posterior SCN slices taken from animals within one photoperiod. After short-photoperiod treatment, anterior SCN slices showed increased-amplitude Per2::luc waveforms and posterior SCN slices showed shorter-duration peak width. Finally, the SCN tissue in vitro did not demonstrate differences in period attributable to photoperiod pretreatment, indicating that period aftereffects observed in behavioral rhythms after long- and short-day photoperiods are not sustained in Per2::luc rhythms in vitro. The change in phase relationship to activity onset suggests that Per2::luc rhythms in the SCN may track activity offset rather than activity onset. The reduced amplitude rhythms following long-photoperiod treatment may represent a loss of coupling of component oscillators.

scholarly journals Posttranscriptional mechanisms involving microRNA-27a and b contribute to fast-specific and glucocorticoid-mediated myostatin expression in skeletal muscle

2011 ◽  
Vol 300 (1) ◽  
pp. C124-C137 ◽  
Author(s):  
David L. Allen ◽  
Amanda S. Loh
Keyword(s):  
Receptor Expression ◽  
Luciferase Reporter ◽  
Potential Contribution ◽  
Recognition Sequence ◽  
Luciferase Reporter Construct ◽  
Glucocorticoid Treatment ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Expression Construct

Expression of the antigrowth factor myostatin (MSTN) differs between fast and slow skeletal muscles and is increased in nearly every form of muscle atrophy, but the contribution of transcriptional vs. posttranscriptional mechanisms to its differing expression in these states has not been defined. We show here that levels of mature MSTN mRNA were sixfold greater in fast vs. slow muscle and were increased twofold in fast muscle in response to dexamethasone (Dex) injection in vivo and in C2C12 myotubes following Dex treatment in vitro, but that levels of MSTN pre-mRNA, a readout of transcription, only minimally and nonsignificantly differed in these states. Moreover, Dex treatment with or without cotransfection with a glucocorticoid receptor expression construct had only modest effects on mouse MSTN promoter activity in C2C12 myotubes. We therefore explored the potential contribution of posttranscriptional mechanisms, and the role of the microRNAs miR-27a and b in particular, on MSTN expression. The MSTN 3′-untranslated region (UTR) contains a putative recognition sequence for miR-27a and b that is conserved across a wide range of vertebrate species. Cotransfection of a MSTN 3′-UTR-luciferase construct with a miR-27b expression construct significantly attenuated by approximately half while mutation of the miR-27 recognition sequence significantly increased by approximately twofold the activity of a MSTN 3′-UTR construct and decreased mRNA degradation of a luciferase reporter construct in C2C12 myotubes. Expression of miR-27a and b was almost sixfold greater in slow-twitch than in fast-twitch muscle in vivo, and miR-27a expression was significantly decreased by nearly half by glucocorticoid treatment in vitro. Finally, the miR-27a and b promoters were activated by cotransfection with the slow-specific signaling molecules calcineurin and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator-1α. The present data represent the first demonstration that posttranscriptional mechanisms involving miR-27a and b may contribute to fast-specific and glucocorticoid-dependent myostatin expression in muscle.

scholarly journals The Macrophage-derived Lectin, MNCF, Activates Neutrophil Migration through a Pertussis Toxin-sensitive Pathway

2005 ◽  
Vol 53 (6) ◽  
pp. 715-723 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andréa N. Moreno ◽  
Gabriela Pereira-da-Silva ◽  
Constance Oliver ◽  
Maria Célia Jamur ◽  
Ademilson Panunto-Castelo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Surface ◽  
Pertussis Toxin ◽  
Neutrophil Migration ◽  
Cell Polarization ◽  
Glucocorticoid Treatment ◽  
Neutrophil Chemotactic Factor ◽  
G Protein Coupled ◽  
Neutrophil Surface

The macrophage-derived neutrophil chemotactic factor (MNCF) is a d-galactose-binding lectin that induces neutrophil migration in vitro and in vivo. Neutrophil recruitment induced by MNCF is resistant to glucocorticoid treatment and is inhibited by the lectin-specific sugar, d-galactose. In the present study, we characterized the binding of MNCF to neutrophils and the responses triggered by this binding. Exposure to MNCF resulted in cell polarization, formation of a lamellipodium, and deep ruffles on the cell surface. By confocal microscopy, we observed that MNCF was evenly distributed on the cell surface after 30 min of incubation. The labeling intensity progressively diminished with longer incubations. Internalization kinetics showed that MNCF/ligand complexes were rapidly internalized, reaching maximum intracellular concentrations at 120 min and then decreased thereafter. The binding and internalization of MNCF were selectively inhibited by d-galactose. MNCF-induced neutrophil chemotaxis was inhibited by pertussis toxin. This fact strongly suggests that the MNCF-ligand on the neutrophil surface is a G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR), similar to receptors for well-established neutrophil attractants. Our observations on the ability of MNCF to activate neutrophils are consistent with the increasing evidence for the participation of animal lectins in the innate immune response.

Localization of central sites of action of angiotensin II on ADH release in vitro

1978 ◽  
Vol 234 (2) ◽  
pp. F135-F140
Author(s):  
C. M. Gregg ◽  
R. L. Malvin
Keyword(s):  
Angiotensin Ii ◽  
Direct Action ◽  
Central Effect ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
Sites Of Action ◽  
Isolated Rat ◽  
Supraoptic Nuclei ◽  
Stimulation Of

It is now thought that angiotensin II can stimulate antidiuretic hormone (ADH) release in vivo by a direct action in the central nervous system but it is not known whether the locus of stimulation is the hypothalamus or the neurohypophysis or both. Isolated rat neural lobes incubated for 10 min in buffer containing angiotensin II (200 ng/ml or 2 microgram/ml) did not increase ADH release compared to control values, but addition of KCl (60 mM) to the bath markedly stimulated ADH release. However, intact hypothalamoneurohypophysial systems (containing the supraoptic nuclei) incubated with angiotensin II (200 ng/ml or 2 microgram/ml) did show a pronounced stimulation of ADH release. The data support the hypothesis that angiotensin II, at least in vitro, has a central effect on ADH release which is at the level of the hypothalamus.

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