Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Wenzhi Yang, Hao Li, Zhongle Cheng, You Lu, Wuli Li, Jun Feng, Liecheng Wang, Juan Cheng
Summary: Dexmedetomidine modulates water-electrolyte metabolism balance by depressing AVP expression in the PVN without impairing renal function.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Caroline L. Wee, Erin Song, Maxim Nikitchenko, Kristian J. Herrera, Sandy Wong, Florian Engert, Samuel Kunes
Summary: This study reveals the impact of social isolation on the oxytocinergic circuit in the zebrafish brain and how chemical signals from conspecific animals modulate this circuit. The results provide a model for understanding how social stimuli mediate adaptive behaviors through neural circuits.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Hao-Hua Wei, Xiang-Shan Yuan, Ze-Ka Chen, Pei-Pei Chen, Zhe Xiang, Wei-Min Qu, Rui-Xi Li, Guo-Min Zhou, Zhi-Li Huang
Summary: The AVP neurons in SON and PVN receive similar input patterns from multiple brain regions, with PVNAVP neurons having broader and denser inputs compared to SONAVP neurons. Additionally, differentiated input sources were found, with SONAVP neurons receiving more projections from thermoregulatory nuclei and PVNAVP neurons receiving more afferent inputs from circadian rhythm-regulating nuclei. The study provides insights into the distinct afferent framework of AVP neurons in SON and PVN, laying the foundation for further research on their diverse roles.
EXPERIMENTAL NEUROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jing Wang, Linshan Sun, Jingjing You, Honghai Peng, Haijing Yan, Jiangong Wang, Fengjiao Sun, Minghu Cui, Sanwang Wang, Zheng Zhang, Xueli Fan, Dunjiang Liu, Cuilan Liu, Changyun Qiu, Chao Chen, Zhicheng Xu, Jinbo Chen, Wei Li, Bin Liu
Summary: Chronic stress induces depression and insulin resistance, and there is a bidirectional relationship between them. This study reveals the involvement of the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) in depression and insulin resistance induced by chronic stress. The activation of PVN neurons plays a role in increasing sympathetic innervation of adipose tissues, downregulating several adipokines, and leading to depression and insulin resistance.
Article
Integrative & Complementary Medicine
Jingya Wang, Qiumei Zhang, Lin Yao, Teng He, Xinyi Chen, Yang Su, Shengxuan Sun, Mengyue Fan, Jinglan Yan, Taiyi Wang, Meng Zhang, Feng Guo, Shiqing Mo, Manqi Lu, Meixia Zou, Liangjie Li, Qing Yuan, Huashan Pan, Yongjun Chen
Summary: This study found that electroacupuncture (EA) at the BL15 acupuncture point effectively prevented circulatory dysfunction in a rat model of atrial fibrillation. The treatment restored impaired vascular contraction and relaxation caused by atrial fibrillation and blocked abnormal activity of the autonomic nervous system. Importantly, excessive activation of PVN neurons diminished the protective effects of EA treatment on atrial fibrillation-induced circulatory dysfunction.
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Masanori Nakata, Parmila Kumari, Rika Kita, Nanako Katsui, Yuriko Takeuchi, Tomoki Kawaguchi, Toshiya Yamazaki, Boyang Zhang, Shigeki Shimba, Toshihiko Yada
Summary: The study found that the PVN BMAL1 gene maintains the expression of AVP in the PVN and helps enhance insulin release, thereby improving glucose tolerance. At the same time, the circadian variation of AVP expression is regulated by feeding, rather than by PVN BMAL1.
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Uday Singh, Jingwei Jiang, Kenji Saito, Brandon A. Toth, Jacob E. Dickey, Samuel R. Rodeghiero, Yue Deng, Guorui Deng, Baojian Xue, Zhiyong Zhu, Leonid V. Zingman, Joel C. Geerling, Huxing Cui
Summary: The PVNMC4R+ neurons project broadly to brain regions involved in feeding, neuroendocrine, and autonomic control, while receiving monosynaptic input mainly from other hypothalamic nuclei and circumventricular organs. Activation of PVNMC4R+ neurons leads to suppression of feeding and physiological changes in cardiovascular and thermoregulatory functions, accompanied by acute transient hyperactivity and rest-like behavior.
MOLECULAR METABOLISM
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Basak Donertas Ayaz, Aline C. Oliveira, Wendi L. Malphurs, Ty Redler, Alan Moreira de Araujo, Ravindra K. Sharma, Basar Sirmagul, Jasenka Zubcevic
Summary: Chronic infusion of sodium hydrosulfide was found to alleviate the effects of Ang II-induced hypertension in rats and impact microglia in PVN. This suggests that central H2S may alleviate rodent hypertension independently of circulating H2S via effects on the autonomic nervous system and PVN microglia.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Yue Deng, Jacob E. Dickey, Kenji Saito, Guorui Deng, Uday Singh, Jingwei Jiang, Brandon A. Toth, Zhiyong Zhu, Leonid Zingman, Jon M. Resch, Justin L. Grobe, Huxing Cui
Summary: This study characterized the expression of RGS2 in the paraventricular nucleus of hypothalamus (PVN) and investigated its role in metabolic homeostasis. The results showed that Rgs2 mRNA was widely expressed throughout the mouse brain, with the highest expression observed in the PVN. Rgs2 was specifically enriched in CRH+ endocrine neurons within the PVN and was further increased by calorie restriction. The adult deletion of Rgs2 in the PVN resulted in increased food intake, body weight, body length, and blood glucose levels in mice. Prolonged postnatal loss of Rgs2 led to neuronal cell death in the PVN. In conclusion, PVN Rgs2 expression is sensitive to metabolic challenge and is crucial for the function and maintenance of metabolic homeostasis in PVN endocrine neurons.
MOLECULAR METABOLISM
(2022)
Article
Physiology
Jeremy A. Bigalke, Huanjia Gao, Qing-Hui Chen, Zhiying Shan
Summary: Salt-sensitivity is a major factor in the development of hypertension, and the role of the brain orexin system in the pathology of salt-sensitive hypertension remains to be explored. This study demonstrated that orexin signaling through the OX1R in the PVN plays a critical role in the onset and maintenance of hypertension in the DOCA-salt model, involving the activation of AVP-producing neurons and subsequent release of AVP into the periphery.
FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Haoyu Liu, Ruiqing Zhou, Lanxiang Yin, Nana Si, Chenglin Yang, Chengqing Huang, Rongrong Wang, Xiangtao Chen
Summary: This study found that fi-asarone, the main component of Acorus tatarinowii, has sleep-promoting effects in mice. By reducing glutamate and promoting its conversion to the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA, fi-asarone can suppress arousal and increase sleep duration. This study provides a new direction for the pharmacological applications of fi-asarone.
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Willian O. dos Santos, Daniela O. Gusmao, Frederick Wasinski, Edward O. List, John J. Kopchick, Jose Donato
Summary: The ablation of GHR in CRH cells does not lead to major alterations in metabolism, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, acute stress response, or anxiety in mice. While reduced energy expenditure was observed in female mice, the overall physiological importance of GH action on CRH neurons remains uncertain and warrants further investigation.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Ali Nasimi, Fatemeh Haddad, Nafiseh Mirzaei-Damabi, Bahar Rostami, Masoumeh Hatam
Summary: The study found that angiotensinergic and vasopressinergic neurons in the PVNp work together to regulate arterial pressure during hypotension. Blocking AngII receptors in the PVNp attenuates the effects of AVP injection, suggesting a cooperative system between AngII and AVP neurons in the PVNp.
Article
Neurosciences
Courtney E. King, William C. Griffin, Marcelo F. Lopez, Howard C. Becker
Summary: Both preclinical and clinical evidence suggest that exogenous administration of oxytocin may be a promising therapeutic strategy for reducing heavy alcohol drinking. This study demonstrates that targeted activation of hypothalamic oxytocin neurons can reduce alcohol consumption, indicating a role for oxytocin in the regulation of alcohol self-administration behavior. Furthermore, the ability of oxytocin to reduce alcohol drinking is mediated by signaling at oxytocin receptors in the brain.
NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Zahra S. Thirouin, Charles W. Bourque
Summary: Phasic firing is a unique pattern of action potential firing that optimizes vasopressin neurosecretion by promoting calcium-dependent frequency-facilitation while preventing secretory fatigue. Acute and chronic conditions that stimulate vasopressin release greatly enhance the number of magnocellular neurosecretory cells displaying phasic firing.
JOURNAL OF NEUROENDOCRINOLOGY
(2021)