Chronic infusion of taurolithocholate into the brain increases fat oxidation in mice
In conclusion, bile acids such as tLCA may exert metabolic effects on fat metabolism via the brain. (Source: Journal of Endocrinology)
Source: Journal of Endocrinology - January 18, 2018 Category: Endocrinology Authors: Eggink, H. M., Tambyrajah, L. L., van den Berg, R., Mol, I. M., van den Heuvel, J. K., Koehorst, M., Groen, A. K., Boelen, A., Kalsbeek, A., Romijn, J. A., Rensen, P. C. N., Kooijman, S., Soeters, M. R. Tags: Research Source Type: research
Cardioprotection of dapagliflozin and vildagliptin in rats with cardiac ischemia-reperfusion injury
In conclusion, dapagliflozin has a more pronounced effect than vildagliptin in obese insulin-resistant rats for the improvement of LV function. In rats with cardiac I/R injury, although dapagliflozin had a greater efficacy on cardioprotection than vildagliptin, the combined therapy exerted the highest cardioprotective effects potentially by reducing mitochondrial fission. (Source: Journal of Endocrinology)
Source: Journal of Endocrinology - January 18, 2018 Category: Endocrinology Authors: Tanajak, P., Sa-nguanmoo, P., Sivasinprasasn, S., Thummasorn, S., Siri-Angkul, N., Chattipakorn, S. C., Chattipakorn, N. Tags: Research Source Type: research
Gut-brain signaling in energy homeostasis: the unexpected role of microbiota-derived succinate
In the context of the obesity epidemic, dietary fibers that are found essentially in fruit and vegetables attract more and more attention, since they exert numerous metabolic benefits resulting in the moderation of body weight. Short-chain fatty acids, such as propionate and butyrate, produced through their fermentation by the intestinal microbiota, have long been thought to be the mediators of these benefits. In fact, propionate and butyrate were recently shown to activate intestinal gluconeogenesis, a function exerting metabolic benefits via its capacity of signaling to the brain by gastrointestinal nerves. Recently, suc...
Source: Journal of Endocrinology - January 10, 2018 Category: Endocrinology Authors: de Vadder, F., Mithieux, G. Tags: Review Source Type: research
Vitamin D, the placenta and early pregnancy: effects on trophoblast function
Pregnancy is associated with significant changes in vitamin D metabolism, notably increased maternal serum levels of active vitamin D, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin (1,25(OH)2D). This appears to be due primarily to increased renal activity of the enzyme 25-hydroxyvitamin D-1α-hydroxylase (CYP27B1) that catalyzes synthesis of 1,25(OH)2D, but CYP27B1 expression is also prominent in both the maternal decidua and fetal trophoblast components of the placenta. The precise function of placental synthesis of 1,25(OH)2D remains unclear, but is likely to involve localized tissue-specific responses with both decidua and trophoblast als...
Source: Journal of Endocrinology - January 9, 2018 Category: Endocrinology Authors: Ganguly, A., Tamblyn, J. A., Finn-Sell, S., Chan, S.-Y., Westwood, M., Gupta, J., Kilby, M. D., Gross, S. R., Hewison, M. Tags: Review Source Type: research
Effects of hypothalamic leptin gene therapy on osteopetrosis in leptin-deficient mice
Impaired resorption of cartilage matrix deposited during endochondral ossification is a defining feature of juvenile osteopetrosis. Growing, leptin-deficient ob/ob mice exhibit a mild form of osteopetrosis. However, the extent to which the disease is (1) self-limiting and (2) reversible by leptin treatment is unknown. We addressed the first question by performing histomorphometric analysis of femurs in rapidly growing (2-month-old), slowly growing (4-month-old) and skeletally mature (6-month-old) wild-type (WT) and ob/ob male mice. Absent by 6 months of age in WT mice, cartilage matrix persisted to varying extents in dista...
Source: Journal of Endocrinology - January 9, 2018 Category: Endocrinology Authors: Philbrick, K. A., Martin, S. A., Colagiovanni, A. R., Branscum, A. J., Turner, R. T., Iwaniec, U. T. Tags: Research Source Type: research
Animal models to explore the effects of glucocorticoids on skeletal growth and structure
Glucocorticoids (GCs) are effective for the treatment of many chronic conditions, but their use is associated with frequent and wide-ranging adverse effects including osteoporosis and growth retardation. The mechanisms that underlie the undesirable effects of GCs on skeletal development are unclear, and there is no proven effective treatment to combat them. An in vivo model that investigates the development and progression of GC-induced changes in bone is, therefore, important and a well-characterized pre-clinical model is vital for the evaluation of new interventions. Currently, there is no established animal model to inv...
Source: Journal of Endocrinology - December 19, 2017 Category: Endocrinology Authors: Wood, C. L., Soucek, O., Wong, S. C., Zaman, F., Farquharson, C., Savendahl, L., Ahmed, S. F. Tags: Review Source Type: research
Role of thyroid hormone in skeletal muscle physiology
Thyroid hormones (TH) are crucial for development, growth, differentiation, metabolism and thermogenesis. Skeletal muscle (SM) contractile function, myogenesis and bioenergetic metabolism are influenced by TH. These effects depend on the presence of the TH transporters MCT8 and MCT10 in the plasma membrane, the expression of TH receptors (THRA or THRB) and hormone availability, which is determined either by the activation of thyroxine (T4) into triiodothyronine (T3) by type 2 iodothyronine deiodinases (D2) or by the inactivation of T4 into reverse T3 by deiodinases type 3 (D3). SM relaxation and contraction rates depend on...
Source: Journal of Endocrinology - December 19, 2017 Category: Endocrinology Authors: Bloise, F. F., Cordeiro, A., Ortiga-Carvalho, T. M. Tags: Review Source Type: research
Trophoblast lineage specification, differentiation and their regulation by oxygen tension
Development of the early embryo takes place under low oxygen tension. Under such conditions, the embryo implants and the trophectoderm, the outer layer of blastocyst, proliferate, forming the cytotrophoblastic shell, the early placenta. The cytotrophoblasts (CTBs) are the so-called epithelial ‘stem cells’ of the placenta, which, depending on the signals they receive, can differentiate into either extravillous trophoblast (EVT) or syncytiotrophoblast (STB). EVTs anchor the placenta to the uterine wall and remodel maternal spiral arterioles in order to provide ample blood supply to the growing fetus. STBs arise t...
Source: Journal of Endocrinology - December 19, 2017 Category: Endocrinology Authors: Chang, C.-W., Wakeland, A. K., Parast, M. M. Tags: Review Source Type: research
Central leptin regulates heart lipid content by selectively increasing PPAR {beta}/{delta} expression
The role of central leptin in regulating the heart from lipid accumulation in lean leptin-sensitive animals has not been fully elucidated. Herein, we investigated the effects of central leptin infusion on the expression of genes involved in cardiac metabolism and its role in the control of myocardial triacylglyceride (TAG) accumulation in adult Wistar rats. Intracerebroventricular (icv) leptin infusion (0.2 µg/day) for 7 days markedly decreased TAG levels in cardiac tissue. Remarkably, the cardiac anti-steatotic effects of central leptin were associated with the selective upregulation of gene and protein expression o...
Source: Journal of Endocrinology - December 19, 2017 Category: Endocrinology Authors: Mora, C., Pintado, C., Rubio, B., Mazuecos, L., Lopez, V., Fernandez, A., Salamanca, A., Barcena, B., Fernandez-Agullo, T., Arribas, C., Gallardo, N., Andres, A. Tags: Research Source Type: research
Novel skeletal effects of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) leads to bone fragility and predisposes to increased risk of fracture, poor bone healing and other skeletal complications. In addition, some anti-diabetic therapies for T2DM can have notable detrimental skeletal effects. Thus, an appropriate therapeutic strategy for T2DM should not only be effective in re-establishing good glycaemic control but also in minimising skeletal complications. There is increasing evidence that glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs), now greatly prescribed for the treatment of T2DM, have beneficial skeletal effects although the underlying mechanisms ar...
Source: Journal of Endocrinology - December 19, 2017 Category: Endocrinology Authors: Mabilleau, G., Pereira, M., Chenu, C. Tags: Review Source Type: research
Cbl downregulation increases RBP4 expression in adipocytes of female mice
Obesity leads to adipose tissue dysfunction, insulin resistance and diabetes. Adipose tissue produces adipokines that contribute to regulate insulin sensitivity. In turn, insulin stimulates the production and release of some adipokines. Casitas-b-lymphoma proteins (c-Cbl, Cbl-b and Cbl3) are intracellular adaptor signalling proteins that are rapidly phosphorylated by activation of tyrosine kinase receptors. c-Cbl is rapidly phosphorylated by insulin in adipocytes. Here, we tested the hypothesis that Cbl signalling regulates adipokine expression in adipose tissue. We determined the adipokine profile of WAT of Cbl–/&nd...
Source: Journal of Endocrinology - December 19, 2017 Category: Endocrinology Authors: Ameen, G. I., Mora, S. Tags: Research Source Type: research
NNT is a key regulator of adrenal redox homeostasis and steroidogenesis in male mice
In conclusion, using transcriptomic profiling in adrenals from three mouse models, we showed that disturbances in adrenal redox homeostasis are mediated not only by under expression of NNT but also by its overexpression. Further, we demonstrated that both under expression or overexpression of NNT reduced corticosterone output implying a central role for it in the control of steroidogenesis. This is likely due to a reduction in the expression of a key steroidogenic enzyme, Cyp11a1, which mirrored the reduction in corticosterone output. (Source: Journal of Endocrinology)
Source: Journal of Endocrinology - December 19, 2017 Category: Endocrinology Authors: Meimaridou, E., Goldsworthy, M., Chortis, V., Fragouli, E., Foster, P. A., Arlt, W., Cox, R., Metherell, L. A. Tags: Research Source Type: research
Cell-secreted vesicles containing microRNAs as regulators of gamete maturation
Mammalian gamete maturation requires extensive signaling between germ cells and their surrounding somatic cells. In the ovary, theca cells, mural granulosa cells, cumulus cells and the oocyte all secrete factors throughout follicle growth and maturation that are critical for ovulation of a high-quality oocyte with the competence to develop into an embryo. Similarly, maturation of sperm occurs as it transits the epididymis during which epididymal epithelium and sperm exchange secretory factors that are required for sperm to gain motility and fertility. Recent studies in a variety of species have uncovered the presence of ce...
Source: Journal of Endocrinology - December 14, 2017 Category: Endocrinology Authors: da Silveira, J. C., de Avila, A. C. F. C. M., Garrett, H. L., Bruemmer, J. E., Winger, Q. A., Bouma, G. J. Tags: Review Source Type: research
Stem/progenitor cells in pituitary organ homeostasis and tumourigenesis
Evidence for the presence of pituitary gland stem cells has been provided over the last decade using a combination of approaches including in vitro clonogenicity assays, flow cytometric side population analysis, immunohistochemical analysis and genetic approaches. These cells have been demonstrated to be able to self-renew and undergo multipotent differentiation to give rise to all hormonal lineages of the anterior pituitary. Furthermore, evidence exists for their contribution to regeneration of the organ and plastic responses to changing physiological demand. Recently, stem-like cells have been isolated from pituitary neo...
Source: Journal of Endocrinology - December 14, 2017 Category: Endocrinology Authors: Haston, S., Manshaei, S., Martinez-Barbera, J. P. Tags: Review Source Type: research
Acknowledgement to reviewers
(Source: Journal of Endocrinology)
Source: Journal of Endocrinology - December 14, 2017 Category: Endocrinology Tags: Acknowledgement Source Type: research
