TNFRp55 deficiency promotes the development of ectopic endometriotic-like lesions in mice
In conclusion, the deficiency of TNFRp55 promoted the establishment and development of endometriosis through an increase in the lesion size and high levels of estradiol which correlate with an increase in the MMP-2 activity. This is evidence of the possible association of the deregulation of the TNFRp55 expression and the survival of the endometriotic tissue in ectopic sites. (Source: Journal of Endocrinology)
Source: Journal of Endocrinology - August 4, 2017 Category: Endocrinology Authors: Vallcaneras, S., Ghersa, F., Baston, J., Delsouc, M. B., Meresman, G., Casais, M. Tags: Research Source Type: research
Metabolic and neuroprotective effects of dapagliflozin and liraglutide in diabetic mice
This study assessed the metabolic and neuroprotective actions of the sodium glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor dapagliflozin in combination with the GLP-1 agonist liraglutide in dietary-induced diabetic mice. Mice administered low-dose streptozotocin (STZ) on a high-fat diet received dapagliflozin, liraglutide, dapagliflozin-plus-liraglutide (DAPA-Lira) or vehicle once-daily over 28 days. Energy intake, body weight, glucose and insulin concentrations were measured at regular intervals. Glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity, hormone and biochemical analysis, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry densitometry, novel object recogn...
Source: Journal of Endocrinology - August 4, 2017 Category: Endocrinology Authors: Millar, P., Pathak, N., Parthsarathy, V., Bjourson, A. J., OKane, M., Pathak, V., Moffett, R. C., Flatt, P. R., Gault, V. A. Tags: Research Source Type: research
Improvement of obesity-linked skeletal muscle insulin resistance by strength and endurance training
Obesity-linked insulin resistance is mainly due to fatty acid overload in non-adipose tissues, particularly skeletal muscle and liver, where it results in high production of reactive oxygen species and mitochondrial dysfunction. Accumulating evidence indicates that resistance and endurance training alone and in combination can counteract the harmful effects of obesity increasing insulin sensitivity, thus preventing diabetes. This review focuses the mechanisms underlying the exercise role in opposing skeletal muscle insulin resistance-linked metabolic dysfunction. It is apparent that exercise acts through two mechanisms: (1...
Source: Journal of Endocrinology - August 4, 2017 Category: Endocrinology Authors: Di Meo, S., Iossa, S., Venditti, P. Tags: Review Source Type: research
Pituitary stem cell regulation: who is pulling the strings?
The pituitary gland plays a pivotal role in the endocrine system, steering fundamental processes of growth, metabolism, reproduction and coping with stress. The adult pituitary contains resident stem cells, which are highly quiescent in homeostatic conditions. However, the cells show marked signs of activation during processes of increased cell remodeling in the gland, including maturation at neonatal age, adaptation to physiological demands, regeneration upon injury and growth of local tumors. Although functions of pituitary stem cells are slowly but gradually uncovered, their regulation largely remains virgin territory. ...
Source: Journal of Endocrinology - August 4, 2017 Category: Endocrinology Authors: Cox, B., Roose, H., Vennekens, A., Vankelecom, H. Tags: Review Source Type: research
HB-EGF regulates Prss56 expression during mouse decidualization via EGFR/ERK/EGR2 signaling pathway
Embryo implantation and decidualization are key steps for successful reproduction. Although numerous factors have been identified to be involved in embryo implantation and decidualization, the mechanisms underlying these processes are still unclear. Based on our preliminary data, Prss56, a trypsin-like serine protease, is strongly expressed at implantation site in mouse uterus. However, the expression, regulation and function of Prss56 during early pregnancy are still unknown. In mouse uterus, Prss56 is strongly expressed in the subluminal stromal cells at implantation site on day 5 of pregnancy compared to inter-implantat...
Source: Journal of Endocrinology - August 2, 2017 Category: Endocrinology Authors: Liu, J., Gao, F., Liu, Y.-F., Dou, H.-T., Yan, J.-Q., Fan, Z.-M., Yang, Z.-M. Tags: Research Source Type: research
The highly overlapping actions of Lh signaling and Fsh signaling on zebrafish spermatogenesis
In this study, we further investigated the actions of gonadotropins on the testis by establishing three other double-mutant zebrafish lines (lhb;lhr, fshb;fshr and lhb;fshr). All lhb;lhr and fshb;fshr mutant males were fertile. Analysis on the gonadosomatic index and testicular histology in these lhb;lhr and fshb;fshr mutants demonstrated that Lh signaling and Fsh signaling could functionally compensate each other in the testis. Intriguingly, it was found that the lhb;fshr mutant male fish were also morphologically and histologically normal and functionally fertile, a phenomenon which could be explained by the cross-activa...
Source: Journal of Endocrinology - August 2, 2017 Category: Endocrinology Authors: Xie, Y., Chu, L., Liu, Y., Sham, K. W. Y., Li, J., Cheng, C. H. K. Tags: Research Source Type: research
STEAP4: its emerging role in metabolism and homeostasis of cellular iron and copper
Preserving energy homeostasis in the presence of stressors such as proinflammatory cytokines and nutrient overload is crucial to maintaining normal cellular function. Six transmembrane epithelial antigen of the prostate 4 (STEAP4), a metalloreductase involved in iron and copper homeostasis, is thought to play a potentially important role in the cellular response to inflammatory stress. Genome-wide association studies have linked various mutations in STEAP4 with the development of metabolic disorders such as obesity, metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes. Several studies have shown that expression of Steap4 is modulated by...
Source: Journal of Endocrinology - August 2, 2017 Category: Endocrinology Authors: Scarl, R. T., Lawrence, C. M., Gordon, H. M., Nunemaker, C. S. Tags: Review Source Type: research
Origin of a rapidly evolving homeostatic control system programming testis function
In this report, we describe the discovery of a species-restricted homeostatic control system programming testis growth and function. Prl3c1 is a member of the prolactin gene family and its protein product (PLP-J) was discovered as a uterine cytokine contributing to the establishment of pregnancy. We utilized mouse mutagenesis of Prl3c1 and revealed its involvement in the regulation of the male reproductive axis. The Prl3c1-null male reproductive phenotype was characterized by testiculomegaly and hyperandrogenism. The larger testes in the Prl3c1-null mice were associated with an expansion of the Leydig cell compartment. Prl...
Source: Journal of Endocrinology - July 21, 2017 Category: Endocrinology Authors: Bu, P., Yagi, S., Shiota, K., Alam, S. M. K., Vivian, J. L., Wolfe, M. W., Rumi, M. A. K., Chakraborty, D., Kubota, K., Dhakal, P., Soares, M. J. Tags: Research Source Type: research
Role of miR-383 and miR-146b in different propensities to obesity in male mice
The study was designed to investigate the possible mechanisms of hepatic microRNAs (miRs) in regulating local thyroid hormone (TH) action and ultimately different propensities to high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity. When obesity-prone (OP) and obesity-resistant (OR) mice were fed HFD for 7 weeks, OP mice showed apparent hepatic steatosis, with significantly higher body weight and lower hepatic TH receptor b (TRb) expression and type 1 deiodinase (DIO1) activity than OR mice. Next-generation sequencing technology revealed that 13 miRs in liver were dysregulated between the two phenotypes, of which 8 miRs were predicted to t...
Source: Journal of Endocrinology - July 21, 2017 Category: Endocrinology Authors: Xia, S.-F., Duan, X.-M., Cheng, X.-R., Chen, L.-M., Kang, Y.-J., Wang, P., Tang, X., Shi, Y.-H., Le, G.-W. Tags: Research Source Type: research
IGF1 stimulates greater muscle hypertrophy in the absence of myostatin in male mice
Insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) and myostatin have opposing roles in regulating the growth and size of skeletal muscle, with IGF1 stimulating, and myostatin inhibiting, growth. However, it remains unclear whether these proteins have mutually dependent, or independent, roles. To clarify this issue, we crossed myostatin null (Mstn–/–) mice with mice overexpressing Igf1 in skeletal muscle (Igf1+) to generate six genotypes of male mice; wild type (Mstn+/+), Mstn+/–, Mstn–/–, Mstn+/+:Igf1+, Mstn+/–:Igf1+ and Mstn–/–:Igf1+. Overexpression of Igf1 increased the mass of mixed fibr...
Source: Journal of Endocrinology - July 21, 2017 Category: Endocrinology Authors: Hennebry, A., Oldham, J., Shavlakadze, T., Grounds, M. D., Sheard, P., Fiorotto, M. L., Falconer, S., Smith, H. K., Berry, C., Jeanplong, F., Bracegirdle, J., Matthews, K., Nicholas, G., Senna-Salerno, M., Watson, T., McMahon, C. D. Tags: Research Source Type: research
Paternal hyperglycemia in rats exacerbates the development of obesity in offspring
Parental history with obesity or diabetes will increase the risk for developing metabolic diseases in offspring. However, literatures as to transgenerational inheritance of metabolic dysfunctions through male lineage are relatively scarce. In the current study, we aimed to evaluate influences of paternal hyperglycemia on metabolic phenotypes in offspring. Male SD rats were i.p. injected with streptozotocin (STZ) or citrate buffer (CB, as control). STZ-injected rats with glucose levels higher than 16.7 mM were selected to breed with normal female rats. Offspring from STZ or CB treated fathers (STZ-O and CB-O) were maintaine...
Source: Journal of Endocrinology - July 21, 2017 Category: Endocrinology Authors: Shi, X., Li, X., Hou, Y., Cao, X., Zhang, Y., Wang, H., Wang, H., Peng, C., Li, J., Li, Q., Wu, C., Xiao, X. Tags: Research Source Type: research
The interaction of MC3R and MC4R with MRAP2, ACTH, {alpha}-MSH and AgRP in chickens
The interaction of melanocortin-4 (MC4R) and melanocortin-3 (MC3R) receptors with proopiomelanocortin (POMC)-derived peptides (e.g. α-MSH), agouti-related protein (AgRP) and melanocortin-2 receptor accessory protein 2 (MRAP2) is suggested to play critical roles in energy balance of vertebrates. However, evidence on their interaction in birds remains scarce. Our study aims to reveal their interaction in chickens and the results showed that (1) chicken (c-)MC3R and cMC4R expressed in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells can be activated by α-MSH and ACTH1–39 equipotently, monitored by a pGL3-CRE-luciferase rep...
Source: Journal of Endocrinology - July 21, 2017 Category: Endocrinology Authors: Zhang, J., Li, X., Zhou, Y., Cui, L., Li, J., Wu, C., Wan, Y., Li, J., Wang, Y. Tags: Research Source Type: research
Bisphenol A promotes hepatic lipid deposition involving Kupffer cells M1 polarization in male mice
In this study, we examined hepatic lipid contents and quantified M1KC in BPA-treated CD1 mice, and further explored the interaction between KCs and hepatocytes using conditional HepG2 cell culture. BPA treatment significantly increased hepatic fat contents in CD1 mice, accompanied by increased number of pro-inflammatory M1KCs and enhanced secretion of inflammatory cytokines. Increased lipid contents were also observed in HepG2 cells treated with BPA. Interestingly, higher TG contents were observed in HepaG2 cells treated with conditional media from BPA-treated KCs, compared with those treated with BPA directly. Incubation ...
Source: Journal of Endocrinology - July 21, 2017 Category: Endocrinology Authors: Lv, Q., Gao, R., Peng, C., Yi, J., Liu, L., Yang, S., Li, D., Hu, J., Luo, T., Mei, M., Song, Y., Wu, C., Xiao, X., Li, Q. Tags: Research Source Type: research
Triiodothyroacetic acid in health and disease
Thyroid hormone (TH) is crucial for development and metabolism of many tissues. The physiological relevance and therapeutic potential of TH analogs have gained attention in the field for many years. In particular, the relevance and use of 3,3',5-triiodothyroacetic acid (Triac, TA3) has been explored over the last decades. Although TA3 closely resembles the bioactive hormone T3, differences in transmembrane transport and receptor isoform-specific transcriptional activation potency exist. For these reasons, the application of TA3 as a treatment for resistance to TH (RTH) syndromes, especially MCT8 deficiency, is topic of ong...
Source: Journal of Endocrinology - July 21, 2017 Category: Endocrinology Authors: Groeneweg, S., Peeters, R. P., Visser, T. J., Visser, W. E. Tags: Review Source Type: research
The most common vices of men can damage fertility and the health of the next generation
Animal and human studies demonstrate that acquired paternal traits can impair both a male’s fertility and the health of his offspring, including advanced age, smoking, stress, trauma, under-nutrition, infection, toxin exposure, and obesity. Many of these factors lead to similar changes to neurological, behavioural, and/or metabolic functioning in offspring. The molecular mechanisms that both respond to the paternal environment and act to transmit traits to offspring are beginning to emerge. This review focuses on three vices of men (alcohol consumption, overweight/obesity, and tobacco smoking) that damage fertility a...
Source: Journal of Endocrinology - July 21, 2017 Category: Endocrinology Authors: Fullston, T., McPherson, N. O., Zander-Fox, D., Lane, M. Tags: Focused Review Source Type: research
