Article
Neurosciences
Kiymet Kuebra Tufekci, Elfide Gizem Bakirhan, Funda Terzi
Summary: This study investigated the effects of maternal obesity on the hippocampus of male rat offspring and the potential neuroprotective effects of N-acetylcysteine (NAC). The results showed that maternal obesity led to decreased hippocampal volume and NPY1R expression, and the offspring displayed increased anxiety and reduced social interaction. NAC was found to attenuate these effects.
MOLECULAR NEUROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Isabel van Ackern, Angela Kuhla, Bjoern Kuhla
Summary: The endocannabinoid system is crucial in regulating food intake, with pharmacological activation increasing intake in energy-deficient stages, particularly in intermittent feeders. Injection of 2-AG and AEA can boost food intake in the short term, with varying responses to food deprivation, 2-AG showing higher sensitivity than AEA.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yang-Wen Hsieh, Yi-Wen Tsai, Hsin-Hung Lai, Chi-Yu Lai, Chiu-Ya Lin, Guor Mour Her
Summary: This study investigates the impact of alpha-MSH mutants on appetite regulation and weight gain in zebrafish, demonstrating the key role of alpha-MSH in appetite regulation and energy balance, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic target for treating human obesity.
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Ebrahim Samodien, Nireshni Chellan
Summary: Obesity and anxiety are public health problems with no effective cure, and are related to each other with unclear mechanisms. The hypothalamus and hippocampus play vital roles in neurogenesis and understanding these disorders. Interventional therapies can affect neurogenesis in these areas, potentially offering therapeutic benefits for obesity and anxiety.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROENDOCRINOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Psychiatry
Luis A. Trujillo-Villarreal, Viktor J. Romero-Diaz, Ivan Alberto Marino-Martinez, Lizeth Fuentes-Mera, Marco Antonio Ponce-Camacho, Gabriel A. Devenyi, M. Mallar Chakravarty, Alberto Camacho-Morales, Eduardo E. Garza-Villarreal
Summary: This study shows that maternal high caloric exposure during pregnancy and lactation can lead to long-term depression-like behavior in offspring, characterized by decreased motivation and alterations in brain structure and synaptic terminals.
TRANSLATIONAL PSYCHIATRY
(2021)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Lin Song, Jiaqi Cui, Shuyuan Hu, Rui Wang, Hongbao Li, Bo Sun
Summary: A maternal high-fat diet has long-term adverse effects on offspring, but these effects can be ameliorated by maternal metformin treatment. This study found that maternal high-fat diet caused dysbiosis of gut microbiota, leading to colonic inflammation and gut barrier disruption. However, maternal metformin treatment reversed this dysbiosis and improved the metabolic phenotype of the offspring.
Article
Neurosciences
Lia P. Iglesias, Heliana B. Fernandes, Aline S. de Miranda, Malena M. Perez, Lucia H. Faccioli, Carlos A. Sorgi, Leandro J. Bertoglio, Daniele C. Aguiar, Carsten T. Wotjak, Fabricio A. Moreira
Summary: This study found that hippocampal TRPV1 channels play a role in the modulation of fear memories. Endocannabinoid signaling may mediate the effects of TRPV1 blockers. The intensity of the aversive stimulus affects the regulation of fear memories by TRPV1 channels. TRPV1 blockers also promote the transcription of specific genes, leading to a decrease in fear memory reinstatement.
Article
Immunology
Mouly F. Rahman, Ceren B. Yuksel, Patrick O. McGowan
Summary: Both neonatal infections and exposure to maternal obesity are inflammatory stressors in early life that can affect offspring's physiology and behavior. This study investigated the effects of neonatal lipopolysaccharide (nLPS) administration in rat offspring born to dams consuming a high-fat diet (HFD). The study found that dual exposure to maternal HFD and nLPS can disrupt neural stress regulation but normalize spatial memory processes.
BRAIN BEHAVIOR AND IMMUNITY
(2022)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Kinga Gawlinska, Dawid Gawlinski, Malgorzata Borczyk, Michal Korostynski, Edmund Przegalinski, Malgorzata Filip
Summary: This study investigated the impact of maternal high-fat diet on the risk of autism in offspring, revealing significant changes in the expression of ASD-related genes in the frontal cortex of male offspring. Furthermore, exposure to maternal HFD led to sex- and age-dependent alterations in protein levels and differences in DNA methylation levels in the offspring's brain regions.
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Breno Picin Casagrande, Alessandra Mussi Ribeiro, Luciana Pellegrini Pisani, Debora Estadella
Summary: In a WTD rodent model, it was found that discontinuing obesogenic diets can increase anxiety-like behavior, reduce sociability, and increase hippocampal BDNF levels. Mature forms of BDNF may play a crucial role in this process.
BEHAVIOURAL BRAIN RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jiye Kang, Ziwei Wang, Eleonora Cremonini, Gwenaelle Le Gall, Matthew G. Pontifex, Michael Muller, David Vauzour, Patricia I. Oteiza
Summary: Mounting evidence shows that consuming a high-fat diet (HFD) and developing obesity can lead to changes in cognition and mood. However, certain dietary bioactives, such as (-)-epicatechin (EC), may help prevent obesity-related cognitive decline. This study investigated the effects of EC supplementation on HFD-induced obesity-associated alterations in memory and mood. The results demonstrate that EC can mitigate anxiety-related behaviors and impact BDNF and glucocorticoids-mediated signaling.
JOURNAL OF NUTRITIONAL BIOCHEMISTRY
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yue Wu, Jun Zhou, Yunfan Yang
Summary: This review explores the role of primary cilia and ciliopathies related to obesity. The article suggests that primary cilia play a significant role in metabolic regulation, particularly in the development of obesity and type 2 diabetes. Additionally, the review discusses the potential involvement of primary cilia in peripheral organs and central regulation of obesity, specifically focusing on the ciliary signaling in the hypothalamic control of feeding behavior. The proposed framework provides a basis for further investigation into the role of cilia in metabolic regulation.
JOURNAL OF GENETICS AND GENOMICS
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Darakhshan Jabeen Haleem, Khalid Mahmood
Summary: The high-fat diet affected body weight gain, anxiety levels, and cognitive function in rats, potentially through modulation of serotonin metabolism in the hypothalamus and hippocampus.
NUTRITIONAL NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Marianna Marino, Raffaella D'Auria, Elena Mele, Grazia Maria Giovanna Pastorino, Paola Di Pietro, Stefania D'Angelo, Natalia Della Rocca, Francesca Felicia Operto, Carmine Vecchione, Silvia Fasano, Riccardo Pierantoni, Andrea Viggiano, Rosaria Meccariello, Antonietta Santoro
Summary: For the first time in mammals, this study investigates the interaction between the endocannabinoid system and the kisspeptin system in the control of male reproduction. The results reveal the reciprocal modulation of these two systems. The findings suggest the involvement of kisspeptin in spermatogenesis.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Isadora C. C. Furigo, Laura Dearden
Summary: As global obesity rates continue to rise, the number of pregnancies complicated by maternal obesity has also increased. Maternal obesity not only has negative health outcomes for both the mother and the baby during pregnancy and birth, but also increases the risk of developing obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease in later life. Animal models have shown that offspring of obese mothers tend to have increased food intake, suggesting potential changes in the control of food intake. This review examines the development of the hypothalamus, the impact of maternal obesity on its structure and function in offspring, and the factors that may mediate permanent changes in hypothalamic function in individuals exposed to an obese in utero environment.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Antonio Jesus Lopez-Gambero, Fernando Rodriguez de Fonseca, Juan Suarez
Summary: Addiction involves repeated exposure and compulsive seeking of psychotropic drugs, leading to relapse despite harmful effects. Neuroadaptation mechanisms in reward circuits result in changes in neurotransmission and cellular structure, impacting neuronal energy balance and protein synthesis. Targeting metabolic sensors like AMPK and mTOR could lead to novel pharmacotherapies for individualized treatment of drug abuse.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Antonio Ballesta, Francisco Alen, Laura Orio, Rocio Arco, Evelyn Vadas, Juan Decara, Antonio Vargas, Raquel Gomez de Heras, Mayte Ramirez-Lopez, Antonia Serrano, Francisco Javier Pavon, Juan Suarez, Fernando Rodriguez de Fonseca
Summary: Recent studies suggest that the abrupt cessation of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors can increase alcohol consumption after an alcohol deprivation period in rats, while the effect of cessation of selective noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors remains unknown. The interruption of subchronic treatment with SNRIs reboxetine led to increased ethanol intake in animals, associated with dysregulation of endocannabinoid/glutamate signaling. This finding could be important for comorbid AUD/MD patients to carefully monitor antidepressant therapy to avoid unwanted effects.
Article
Neurosciences
Patricia Rivera, Santiago Guerra-Cantera, Antonio Vargas, Francisca Diaz, Rocio Garcia-Ubeda, Ruben Tovar, Maria Teresa Ramirez-Lopez, Jesus Argente, Fernando Rodriguez de Fonseca, Juan Suarez, Julie A. Chowen
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the long-lasting effects of maternal malnutrition during gestation/lactation on inflammation, lipid metabolism, and endocannabinoid signaling in the adult offspring hypothalamus, as well as the role of hypothalamic astrocytes in these changes. The results showed that maternal malnutrition caused sex-specific alterations in hypothalamic endocannabinoid signaling and lipid metabolism. Additionally, hypothalamic astrocytes were found to play a possible role in this process.
NUTRITIONAL NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Zhi-Bing You, Ewa Galaj, Francisco Alen, Bin Wang, Guo-Hua Bi, Allamar R. Moore, Tristram Buck, Madeline Crissman, Sruti Pari, Zheng-Xiong Xi, Lorenzo Leggio, Roy A. Wise, Eliot L. Gardner
Summary: The study demonstrates that the endogenous ghrelin system plays a significant role in cocaine-related addictive behaviors, and targeting this system may be beneficial in mitigating cocaine use disorder.
NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Marta Moya, Leticia Lopez-Valencia, Borja Garcia-Bueno, Laura Orio
Summary: Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome is caused by thiamine deficiency and alcohol consumption, mainly affecting frontal cortex function. This study using a rat model confirms the significant impact of the interaction between alcohol and TD on neuronal damage.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Juan M. Decara, Henar Vazquez-Villa, Jose Brea, Monica Alonso, Raj Kamal Srivastava, Laura Orio, Francisco Alen, Juan Suarez, Elena Baixeras, Javier Garcia-Carceles, Andrea Escobar-Pena, Beat Lutz, Ramon Rodriguez, Eva Codesido, F. Javier Garcia-Ladona, Teresa A. Bennett, Juan A. Ballesteros, Jacobo Cruces, Maria Loza, Bellinda Benhamu, Fernando Rodriguez de Fonseca, Maria L. Lopez-Rodriguez
Summary: Peptidic agonists of the GLP-1 receptor have been successful in treating type-2 diabetes and obesity by reducing food intake. Small molecules acting as positive allosteric modulators of GLP-1R, such as compound 9, show promise in improving drug efficacy with oral administration and reduced side effects. The identified GLP-1R PAM, particularly compound 9, exhibits significant in vivo activity in reducing food intake and improving glucose handling in rodents, suggesting a potential therapeutic approach for obesity-associated diabetes.
JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Dina Medina-Vera, Juan Antonio Navarro, Patricia Rivera, Cristina Rosell-Valle, Alfonso Gutierrez-Adan, Carlos Sanjuan, Antonio Jesus Lopez-Gambero, Ruben Tovar, Juan Suarez, Francisco Javier Pavon, Elena Baixeras, Juan Decara, Fernando Rodriguez de Fonseca
Summary: This study found that d-pinitol inositol can lower tau protein phosphorylation levels by regulating CDK5 activity. This suggests that d-pinitol could be a potential drug for treating neurological disorders such as tauopathies.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Letter
Clinical Neurology
Laura Orio, Francisco Arias, Berta Escudero
PSYCHIATRY AND CLINICAL NEUROSCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Juan A. Navarro, Juan Decara, Dina Medina-Vera, Ruben Tovar, Antonio J. Lopez-Gambero, Juan Suarez, Francisco Javier Pavon, Antonia Serrano, Marialuisa de Ceglia, Carlos Sanjuan, Yolanda Alfonso Baltasar, Elena Baixeras, Fernando Rodriguez de Fonseca
Summary: The use of added sugars and non-nutritive sweeteners in processed foods poses challenges for treating obesity and diabetes. Fructose contributes to obesity and liver steatosis, while non-nutritive sweeteners disrupt gut bacteria and metabolic control. This study proposes an alternative sweetener derived from carob pods, which contains a balanced mixture of fructose and glucose as sweetening sugars, and a functional natural ingredient (D-Pinitol) that produces positive metabolic effects.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Lillyan Teresa Loayza-Gutierrez, Eder Valdir Apumayta-Suarez, Roberto Abdala, Luis Angel Aguilar-Mendoza, Jorge Antonio Chavez-Perez, Juan Decara
Summary: This study evaluated a nutritional strategy using fucoidan extract from brown algae Lessonia trabeculata to control oxidative stress in diabetic rats. The results showed that fucoidan had a protective effect against oxidative stress in diabetic rats, indicating its potential as a functional compound for diabetic patients' oxidative stress control.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYCOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Juan A. Navarro, Caridad Diaz, Juan Decara, Dina Medina-Vera, Antonio J. Lopez-Gambero, Juan Suarez, Francisco Javier Pavon, Antonia Serrano, Antonio Vargas, Ana Luisa Gavito, Oscar Porras-Perales, Jesus Aranda, Francisca Vicente, Carlos Sanjuan, Elena Baixeras, Fernando Rodriguez de Fonseca
Summary: This study characterizes the oral pharmacokinetics of D-Pinitol in human healthy volunteers and suggests its potential importance as an endocrine pancreas protector for the treatment or prevention of insulin resistance-associated conditions.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Berta Escudero, Marta Moya, Leticia Lopez-Valencia, Francisco Arias, Laura Orio
Summary: This study investigated the expression of APOE4 and reelin, as well as cognitive function, in patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD) and controls. The results showed that APOE4 expression levels were similar between patients and controls, but levels of clusterin and reelin were higher in patients with AUD. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified reelin as a good indicator of cognitive impairment in early abstinence. During a 6-month abstinence period, reelin levels decreased in patients with AUD and cognitive function improved.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Ruben Tovar, Marialuisa de Ceglia, Massimo Ubaldi, Miguel Rodriguez-Pozo, Laura Soverchia, Carlo Cifani, Gema Rojo, Ana Gavito, Laura Hernandez-Folgado, Nadine Jagerovic, Roberto Ciccocioppo, Elena Baixeras, Fernando Rodriguez de Fonseca, Juan Decara
Summary: Acylethanolamides (NAEs) are bioactive lipids derived from diet fatty acids that regulate important homeostatic functions. Linoleoylethanolamide (LEA), one of the most abundant NAEs, was found to be elevated in overweight individuals and correlated with circulating cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Treatment of obese rats with LEA resulted in weight loss, reduced levels of triglycerides, cholesterol, and inflammatory markers, as well as enhanced expression of genes related to lipid metabolism in the liver. Although LEA did not reverse liver steatosis, it showed potential as a nutrient supplement for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.