Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Maria Andrikopoulou, Sunil K. Panigrahi, Giselle D. Jaconia, Cynthia Gyamfi-Bannerman, Richard M. Smiley, Gabrielle Page-Wilson
Summary: The study revealed that during early pregnancy, there are specific adaptations in the central regulation of energy balance, including reduced transport of leptin into the brain and decreased melanocortin tone favoring increased appetitive drive.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ENDOCRINOLOGY & METABOLISM
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Emanuela Micioni Di Bonaventura, Luca Botticelli, Fabio Del Bello, Gianfabio Giorgioni, Alessandro Piergentili, Wilma Quaglia, Adele Romano, Silvana Gaetani, Maria Vittoria Micioni Di Bonaventura, Carlo Cifani
Summary: The melanocortinergic neural circuit, particularly the melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) subtype, plays a role in influencing energy expenditure, feeding behavior, stress responses, and stress-related behaviors such as anxiety and depression. MC4R agonists exacerbate stress-induced anxiety and depressive behavior, while MC4R antagonists have been shown to mitigate such disorders, suggesting a potential novel treatment approach for anxiety and depression induced by stress.
PHARMACOLOGICAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Paola Sousa Santos, Caio Cesar Ruy, Cintia Rabelo Paiva Caria, Alessandra Gambero
Summary: The study found that sucralose consumption can reduce weight gain in high-fat diet-fed mice, but has no effect on weight gain in mice fed with a normal diet. In high-fat diet-fed mice, sucralose supplementation improved glycemic homeostasis, hepatic steatosis, and increased energy expenditure.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kaitlin H. Wade, Brian Y. H. Lam, Audrey Melvin, Warren Pan, Laura J. Corbin, David A. Hughes, Kara Rainbow, Jian-Hua Chen, Katie Duckett, Xiaoming Liu, Jacek Mokrosinski, Alexander Morseburg, Sam Neaves, Alice Williamson, Chen Zhang, I. Sadaf Farooqi, Giles S. H. Yeo, Nicholas J. Timpson, Stephen O'Rahilly
Summary: Mutations in the MC4R gene are associated with obesity, with the frequency of LoF mutations being higher than previously estimated. Carriers of such mutations may enter adulthood with a significant burden of excess adiposity.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
A. Tas, M. Atabey, P. Gokcen, M. Ozel, Z. K. Karagoz, K. Ugur, S. Aydin, Y. Silig
Summary: The study reveals that the leptin-melanocortin pathway plays a crucial role in regulating food intake and body weight in obese patients before and after Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy. This finding is of great significance for the treatment of obesity.
EUROPEAN REVIEW FOR MEDICAL AND PHARMACOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Psychiatry
Nathan Sharfman, Nicholas W. Gilpin
Summary: The global COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the rates and risks of alcohol misuse in both adults and adolescents. Alcohol exposure during adolescence can lead to long-lasting changes that increase the likelihood of alcohol use disorder in adulthood. More research is needed on the effects of alcohol exposure on pain and the neural signaling pathways involved.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHIATRY
(2021)
Review
Physiology
Francesca Copperi, Jung Dae Kim, Sabrina Diano
Summary: The melanocortin system plays a crucial role not only in regulating energy homeostasis, food intake, and glucose levels, but also in modulating cardiovascular functions such as blood pressure and heart rate. Its effects are exerted through central and peripheral mechanisms involving receptors MC3R and MC4R, influencing sympathetic nervous activity and potentially improving cardiovascular outcomes in diseases like myocardial and cerebral ischemia. This review discusses the central regulation of the melanocortin system in essential cardiovascular functions and its protective role in ischemic events.
FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Olivier Lavoie, Natalie Jane Michael, Alexandre Caron
Summary: The discovery of leptin in 1994 provided new opportunities to understand energy balance and glucose metabolism. However, the prevailing model of the leptin-melanocortin system is outdated. Recent advances have shown that leptin directly acts on ARC POMC neurons to regulate glucose metabolism, while non-POMC neurons mediate its effects on energy balance.
JOURNAL OF NEUROCHEMISTRY
(2023)
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Ozge Besci, Sevde Nur Firat, Samim Ozen, Semra Cetinkaya, Leyla Akin, Yilmaz Kor, Zafer Pekkolay, Servan Ozalkak, Elif Ozsu, Senay Savas Erdeve, Suekran Poyrazoglu, Merih Berberoglu, Murat Aydin, Tulay Omma, Baris Akinci, Korcan Demir, Elif Arioglu Oral
Summary: This study presents new cases of LEP and LEPR deficiency, provides long-term follow-up of previously described patients, and defines the genotype-phenotype relationships based on reported cases in literature. The study found that patients with LEP deficiency were diagnosed at a younger age, had higher BMI SD scores, and were more likely to have hyperinsulinemia. The genetic variants in LEPR deficiency were different from those in LEP deficiency.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ENDOCRINOLOGY & METABOLISM
(2023)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Shigenobu Matsumura, Motoki Miyakita, Haruka Miyamori, Satomi Kyo, Daisuke Shima, Takumi Yokokawa, Fuka Ishikawa, Tsutomu Sasaki, Tomoki Jinno, Jin Tanaka, Tsuyoshi Goto, Keiko Momma, Kengo Ishihara, Rebecca Berdeaux, Kazuo Inoue
Summary: This study demonstrates that G(s) signaling in MC4R-expressing cells regulates energy expenditure, appetite, and locomotor activity.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-ENDOCRINOLOGY AND METABOLISM
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Wanxiu Cao, Fang Liu, Robert W. Li, Ruili Yang, Yuming Wang, Changhu Xue, Qingjuan Tang
Summary: The study found that triacylglycerol rich in DHA (DHA-TG) can reduce food intake in mice fed with a high-fat, high-sugar diet (HFHS), regulate neuropeptide expression, and modulate hormone secretion and digestive system processes. Additionally, DHA-TG improved leptin secretion, attenuated central leptin resistance, and protected intestinal epithelial barrier function in nutritive obese mice.
JOURNAL OF NUTRITIONAL BIOCHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Emily W. Sun, Eva W. Iepsen, Nektaria Pezos, Amanda L. Lumsden, Alyce M. Martin, Gudrun Schober, Nichole J. Isaacs, Christopher K. Rayner, Nam Q. Nguyen, Dayan de Fontgalland, Philippa Rabbitt, Paul Hollington, David A. Wattchow, Torben Hansen, Jens-Christian Holm, Alice P. Liou, V. Margaret Jackson, Signe S. Torekov, Richard L. Young, Damien J. Keating
Summary: This study revealed a previously unidentified signaling nexus in the human gastrointestinal tract involving the release of a-MSH and the activation of MC4R on L cells in an autocrine and paracrine fashion. The findings have direct implications for targeting mucosal MC4R as a treatment for human metabolic disorders.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yu Yong, Isin Cakir, Pauline Lining Pan, Jessica E. Biddinger, Rebecca J. Bluett, Ken Mackie, Nathan Bingham, Sachin Patel, Masoud Ghamari-Langroudi
Summary: This passage discusses the importance of hypothalamic regulation of feeding and energy expenditure, as well as the roles of melanocortins and endogenous cannabinoids in these processes. The study shows that 2-AG regulates MC4R cell activity by inhibiting GABA input, impacting energy state, body weight, appetite, and energy expenditure.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
William C. Krause, Ruben Rodriguez, Bruno Gegenhuber, Navneet Matharu, Andreas N. Rodriguez, Adriana M. Padilla-Roger, Kenichi Toma, Candice B. Herber, Stephanie M. Correa, Xin Duan, Nadav Ahituv, Jessica Tollkuhn, Holly A. Ingraham
Summary: Depletion of estrogen leads to inactivity, fat accumulation, and diabetes in rodents and humans. Research has found that estrogen-sensitive neurons in the brain play a role in rebalancing energy allocation in female mice, with implications for metabolism and physical activity. Melanocortin-4 receptor signaling extends beyond regulation of food intake, impacting physical activity levels and offering potential targets for intervention in obesity.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Wei-Shiung Lian, Re-Wen Wu, Yu-Shan Chen, Jih-Yang Ko, Shao-Yu Wang, Holger Jahr, Feng-Sheng Wang
Summary: The study demonstrated that miR-29a attenuated high-fat diet-induced body overweight, hyperglycemia, and hypercholesterolemia by controlling adipose tissue metabolism and bone homeostasis. It also promoted brown/beige adipocyte formation and inhibited white adipocyte markers, providing a potential new target for treating obesity-related diseases.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Peripheral Vascular Disease
Jussara M. do Carmo, Alexandre A. da Silva, John E. Hall
Summary: This study found that MR blockade alone did not significantly affect blood pressure and heart rate in obese rats, while combined treatment with AT1R antagonists could reduce blood pressure. There are important differences in blood pressure responses to chronic AT1R blockade based on gender.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF HYPERTENSION
(2021)
Article
Physiology
Alexandre A. da Silva, Mark A. Pinkerton, Frank T. Spradley, Ana C. Palei, John E. Hall, Jussara M. do Carmo
Summary: Results from the experiment showed that the effects of leptin on blood pressure, heart rate, glucose regulation, and energy homeostasis were similar in male and female rats. Therefore, there is no evidence for sex differences in leptin's brain-mediated cardiovascular or metabolic actions in rats.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-REGULATORY INTEGRATIVE AND COMPARATIVE PHYSIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
John E. Hall, Alan J. Mouton, Alexandre A. da Silva, Ana C. M. Omoto, Zhen Wang, Xuan Li, Jussara M. do Carmo
Summary: Obesity contributes significantly to human primary hypertension risk, particularly in driving cardiovascular and kidney diseases, with kidney dysfunction and neurohormonal, renal, and inflammatory mechanisms playing key roles in the development of obesity-induced hypertension.
CARDIOVASCULAR RESEARCH
(2021)
Biographical-Item
Peripheral Vascular Disease
John E. Hall, L. Gabriel Navar, Allen W. Cowley, Richard L. Summers, Robert L. Hester
Editorial Material
Peripheral Vascular Disease
Michael E. Hall, John E. Hall
Editorial Material
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Xiaodong Sun, Cheng-Chao Ruan, Alexandre A. da Silva
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Physiology
Alexandre A. da Silva, Sydney P. Moak, Xuemei Dai, Gisele C. Borges, Ana C. M. Omoto, Zhen Wang, Xuan Li, Alan J. Mouton, John E. Hall, Jussara M. do Carmo
Summary: Parental obesity has an impact on offspring blood pressure regulation and cardiovascular responses to stress, especially in male offspring. This effect is attenuated in P2X7R-KO mice.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-REGULATORY INTEGRATIVE AND COMPARATIVE PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Physiology
Zhen Wang, Jussara M. do Carmo, Alexandre A. da Silva, Yiling Fu, Lance T. Jaynes, Jaylan Sears, Xuan Li, Alan J. Mouton, Ana Carolina M. Omoto, Brittney P. Xu, John E. Hall
Summary: This study investigated the role of TRPC6 in controlling energy balance, adiposity, and glucose homeostasis. The results showed that TRPC6 knockout mice had increased body weight, adiposity, hyperphagia, decreased energy expenditure, impaired glucose tolerance, hyperinsulinemia, and increased liver fat. They also exhibited smaller brains, reduced POMC mRNA levels in the hypothalamus, and impaired anorexic response to leptin. However, their blood pressure and heart rate were similar to control mice, and their blood pressure responses to air-jet stress were attenuated.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-REGULATORY INTEGRATIVE AND COMPARATIVE PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Xuan Li, Elizabeth R. Flynn, Jussara M. do Carmo, Zhen Wang, Alexandre A. da Silva, Alan J. Mouton, Ana C. M. Omoto, Michael E. Hall, John E. Hall
Summary: Clinical trials have shown that SGLT2 inhibitors can improve the prognosis of diabetes patients with heart failure. This study investigates how a highly selective SGLT2 inhibitor, EMPA, improves cardiac function in a non-diabetic mouse model of heart failure induced by TAC. The results indicate that EMPA enhances mitochondrial function, reduces reactive oxygen species production, and improves overall cardiac function.
FRONTIERS IN CARDIOVASCULAR MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Ana C. M. Omoto, Jussara M. do Carmo, Benjamin Nelson, Nikaela Aitken, Xuemei Dai, Sydney Moak, Elizabeth Flynn, Zhen Wang, Alan J. Mouton, Xuan Li, John E. Hall, Alexandre A. da Silva
Summary: This study found that central nervous system actions of leptin can significantly improve cardiac function and mitochondrial metabolism after myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury, regardless of sex. These effects are largely independent of cardiac sympathetic innervation.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION
(2022)
Article
Physiology
Beatriz Santos Geoffroy Correa, Silvana de Barros, Julia Braga Vaz, Maria Angelica Peres, Mayara Klimuk Uchiyama, Alexandre Alves da Silva, Luzia Naoko Shinohara Furukawa
Summary: According to a study, hypertensive individuals taking anti-hypertensive drugs from renin-angiotensin system inhibitors may experience a more severe progression of the COVID-19 disease due to potential increases in ACE2 expression. The study investigated the ACE1 and ACE2 axes and hydroxychloroquine in the lungs and adipose tissue of male and female rats. The results showed that losartan and captopril reduced blood pressure and ACE2 expression in certain tissues, while hydroxychloroquine had different effects on blood pressure and ACE expression depending on the rat strain and sex.
PHYSIOLOGICAL REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Physiology
Zhen Wang, Yiling Fu, Jussara M. do Carmo, Alexandre A. da Silva, Xuan Li, Alan Mouton, Ana Carolina M. Omoto, Jaylan Sears, John E. Hall
Summary: A major finding of this study is that the combination of moderate diabetes and hypertension promotes significant renal dysfunction, albuminuria, and apoptotic cell injury, and that these effects were greatly improved by transient receptor potential cation channel 6 deficiency. These results suggest that transient receptor potential cation channel 6 may play an important role in contributing to the interaction of diabetes and hypertension to promote kidney injury.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-RENAL PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)