Changes in the levels of neuropeptide Y-LI in the external jugular vein in connection with vasoconstriction following subarachnoid haemorrhage in man

Summary NPY is a putative neurotransmitter mainly co-localized with noradrenaline in sympathetic fibers which innervate the cerebral vasculature. The origin of most of the perivascular NPY fibers seems to be in the superior cervical ganglion. To investigate involvement of Neuropeptide Y (NPY) mechanisms in subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH), twenty patients with SAH were investigated. NPY-LI (-like immunoreactivity) levels in the external jugular vein were assessed using radioimmunoassay in blood samples collected postoperatively (or after SAH in non-surgical patients) on days 1, 2, 3, 5, 7 and 9. These levels were compared with the clinical course and blood flow velocity changes monitored with ultrasonic Doppler equipment from both middle cerebral arteries (MCA) and both internal carotid arteries (ICA).Compared to NPY-LI levels in 14 controls (mean 116±3 pmol/ l), increased levels (up to 253 pmol/l) and a close relationship between velocities and NPY-LI levels were found in a subpopulation of the SAH patients. When comparing the mean haemodynamic index (V MCA/ipsilateral V ICA) and mean NPY-LI levels in each of the 20 patients, a correlation of r=0.75, p=0.0001 was found. Increased NPY-LI were found (131±8 pmol/l) when simultaneous Doppler velocity recordings showed vasoconstriction (Haemodynamic index >5) compared with samples taken when the haemodynamic index was <5, p<0.05. When MCA velocity exceeded 120 cm/sec, increased levels were found (129±9 pmol/l) compared with the conditions when MCA velocity was less than 120 cm/sec (113±5 pmol/ l), p=0.06. The results indicate a possible NPY involvement in cerebral vasoconstriction after SAH.     

Chronic Administration of Glucocorticoids Directly Upregulates Prepro-Neuropeptide Y and Y1-Receptor mRNA Levels in the Arcuate Nucleus of the Rat

The complete sequence of the cDNA encoding the neuropeptide Y (NPY) Y₁-receptor has recently been deduced from a rat brain library, and the presence of messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) encoding Y₁-receptor protein has been demonstrated within the brain. Using quantitative in situ hybridization histochemistry, the content and distribution of Y₁receptor and preproNPY mRNAs have been investigated in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus of adrenalectomized rats receiving glucocorticoid replacement therapy for 12 days by means of either high doses of dexamethasone in their drinking water or by subcutaneous corticosterone pellets. Basal metabolic parameters such as weight gain or loss, blood glucose and plasma insulin were monitored: Dexamethasone treatment induced weight loss and a state of hyperinsulinemia with normoglycemia, while corticosterone treated animals displayed metabolic parameters identical to sham ADX animals. Within the arcuate nucleus of glucocorticoid treated animals, levels of Y₁receptor and preproNPY mRNAs were increased. In contrast, adrenalectomy itself had no effect upon Y₁-receptor mRNA levels or preproNPY mRNA levels in the arcuate nucleus. These studies demonstrate that glucocorticoids exert a stimulatory action on levels of Y₁-receptor mRNA and preproNPY mRNA levels in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus. This is the first evidence to suggest that the expression of a neuropeptide-receptor gene in the central nervous system may be directly sensitive to peripheral hormonal signals.     

Elevations of neuropeptide Y-like immunoreactivity and catecholamines in plasma on increased intracranial pressure in the pig

Graded increases of intracranial pressure (ICP) in anaesthetized pigs induced elevations of plasma levels of neuropeptide Y (NPY)-like immunoreactivity (LI) and catecholamines, simultaneously with hypertension and tachycardia. Plasma adrenaline (ADR) increased at a lower ICP-level than did the plasma levels of noradrenaline (NA) and NPY-LI. At the maximal ICP elevation, 22.9 kPa (172 mmHg), plasma NPY-LI was increased about 10-fold, from 48 +/- 8 pmol/l in the basal state, while NA and ADR concentrations increased more than 100-fold. At this maximal ICP-level the plasma levels of NPY-LI were correlated to the concentrations of both NA (r = 0.87, P less than 0.01) and ADR (r = 0.92, P less than 0.001). Plasma NPY-LI continued to increase to about 1000 pmol/l, 10 min after the maximal elevation of ICP was discontinued, while the catecholamines then had declined considerably. A slight cardiac release of NPY-LI was observed at the maximal elevation of ICP. The half-life of NPY-LI in plasma was about 6 min upon systemic infusion. At plasma levels similar to those obtained upon maximal ICP elevation, exogenous NPY caused slight vasoconstriction in the spleen and skeletal muscle, but had no effects on coronary blood flow or systemic blood pressure. This suggests that NPY mainly exerts local actions after release from nerve endings, while levels of circulating NPY in plasma must be very high to influence blood flow in some organs. It is concluded that elevation of ICP results in hypertension and tachycardia related to elevated plasma levels of NPY-LI and catecholamines.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Anorexia Induced by the Parasitic Nematode, Nippostrongylus brasiliensis: Effects on NPY and CRF Gene Expression in the Rat Hypothalamus

Infections of the gastrointestinal nematode, Nippostrongylus brasiliensis, in the laboratory rat result in a characteristic biphasic anorexia which is followed by hyperphagia once the worm burden has been cleared. Despite the importance of parasite-induced anorexia, relatively little is known of the underlying mechanisms. We have investigated the involvement of the central appetite drive in this anorexia by studying the gene expression of two neuropeptides with opposing actions on energy balance, NPY and CRF. Gene expression was assessed by in situ hybridization at 2, 8 and 16 days post-infection (p.i.) in infected rats, in uninfected controls, and in a group with food intake restricted to match that taken voluntarily by the parasitized animals. The sampling intervals corresponded to each of the two phases of maximum anorexia and the period of compensatory hyperphagia. Surprisingly, we found that increases in NPY gene expression in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus (ARC) accompany anorexia in rats infected with N. brasiliensis; there was a significant relationship between degree of anorexia and induction of NPY mRNA after 8 days of infection. Furthermore, ARC NPY mRNA levels in parasitized animals were similar to those in pair-fed individuals with food intake restricted to match the infected rats. The number of larvae used to establish the infection affected both the degree of anorexia and the level of NPY mRNA at 8 days p.i. in a dose-dependent manner. NPY gene expression remained elevated in infected rats during at least the initial stages of compensatory hyperphagia. This suggests that animals detect a state of energy deficit during the early stages of the infection, yet do not feed, but become hyperphagic coincident with worm loss. The failure of anorectic parasitized animals to feed in response to activation of the NPYergic system makes this a novel system in which to study the regulation of hypothalamic NPY by physiological challenge. There were no significant differences in CRF gene expression between the groups at any of the sampling intervals.     

Reciprocal interactions between α2-adrenoceptor agonist and neuropeptide Y binding sites in the nucleus tractus solitarius of the rat

Summary Interactions between a ₂-adrenoreceptor agonist and neuropeptide Y (NPY) binding sites have been studied in the rat medulla oblongata (MO) using biochemical binding techniques as well as quantitative autoradiography. Tritiated para-amino clonidine (³H-PAC; ₂-adrenoceptor agonist), idazoxan (³H-IDA; ₂-adrenoceptor antagonist) and iodinated neuropeptide Y (¹²⁵I-NPY) were used as radioligands. (1) Neuropeptide Y (NPY; 10^–8M) but not bovine pancreatic polypeptide (BPP) nor peptide YY (PYY 10nM) increased the K_D value of³H-PAC binding sites. However, intraventricular administration of a high dose of NPY (1.25nmol) did not change the³H-PAC binding characteristics in MO membrane preparations of these animals. (2) GTP 10^–4 lowered the affinity of³H-PAC binding. NPY (10 nM) had no additional effect, nor did NPYinfluence the GTP induced shift in potency of clonidine to displace³H-IDA from its binding sites. (3) In the autoradiographical experiments NPY (10nM) significantly reduced³H-PAC binding (2nM) in the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) area by 35%. (4) When clonidine, either given centrally in vivo (3.75nmol) or in vitro (10 nM) the binding of¹²⁵I-NPY was reduced (34 and 24%, respectively) in the NTS. When the monoamine receptors were irreversibly blocked in vivo by N-ethoxycarbonyl-2-ethoxy-1,2-dihydroquinoline (EEDQ, 10 g i.e. 24h)¹²⁵I-NPY (0.5 nM) binding was increased by 137% in the NTS. This effect of EEDQ was prevented by pretreatment with the ₂-adrenoreceptor antagonist idazoxan.These results provide support for a direct intramembrane interaction between the ₂-receptor and the NPY receptor within the NTS and may be of importance in central cardiovascular regulation.     

Receptor autoradiographical evidence for high densities of 125l-neuropeptide Y binding sites in the nucleus tractus solitarius of the normal male rat

By means of quantitative receptor autoradiography using ¹²⁵I-neuropeptide Y (¹²⁵I-NPY) as a radioligand, the distribution of ¹²⁵I-NPY binding sites has been evaluated in coronal sections at various rostrocaudal levels of the medulla oblongata of the male rat. High densities of neuropeptide Y (NPY) binding sites were demonstrated in the nucleus tractus solitarius (nTS), in the nucleus paratrigeminalis, in the area postrema, in the medial nuclei of the inferior olive and in the substantia gelatinosa of the caudal part of the spinal trigeminal nucleus. Low densities were present in the dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus (dmnX) and in the hypoglossal nucleus. Other regions of the medulla oblongata showed only a very low density or no specific binding of ¹²⁵I-NPY. These results indicate that the central cardiovascular actions of NPY at least in part may be mediated via an action in the nTS, in this way controlling the baroreceptor reflex activity. Neuropeptide Y mechanisms may also play a role in the regulation of other visceral afferents such as those involved in gastrointestinal control (dmnX) and of cerebellar function (inferior olive). Finally, the results indicate that a high density of NPY immunoreactive terminals in some regions of the medulla oblongata is associated with a low density of high affinity ¹²⁵I-neuropeptide Y binding sites and vice versa.     

肥胖和肥胖抵抗大鼠神经肽Y及其受体基因表达的研究

目的:探讨高脂饲料对大鼠下丘脑神经肽Y(NPY)及其受体Y1、Y2、Y5基因表达的影响及大鼠肥胖易感性差异的机制。方法:36只雌性SD大鼠,按体重随机分为高脂组和对照组,分别给予高脂饲料和基础饲料13w。实验结束时,根据体重将高脂组分为饮食诱导肥胖(DIO)和肥胖抵抗(DIO-R)大鼠,观察各组大鼠体重、内脏脂肪湿重、脂体比、热能摄入量及能量利用率的差异;RT-PCR法测定下丘脑NPY及其受体Y1、Y2、Y5mRNA的表达水平。结果:DIO大鼠体重、内脏脂肪湿重、脂体比、热能摄入量及能量利用率显著高于对照组和DIO-R大鼠,而DIO-R大鼠与对照组相比未见显著性差异;DIO大鼠下丘脑NPY及其受体Y1、Y2、Y5mRNA的表达水平显著高于对照组和DIO-R大鼠,而DIO-R大鼠与对照组相比,除Y2受体mRNA的表达水平显著下降外,其余指标均无显著性差异。结论:高脂饲料诱导下,SD大鼠表现为明显的肥胖易感性差异,下丘脑NPY及其受体的高水平表达可能是导致DIO大鼠热能摄入过多的内在机制之一。     

肾衰养真胶囊对慢性肾衰竭营养不良大鼠下丘脑神经肽Y mRNA及原阿片黑皮素mRNA表达的影响

目的 观察肾衰养真胶囊对慢性肾衰竭(CRF)营养不良大鼠下丘脑神经肽Y(NPY)mRNA及原阿片黑皮素(POMC)mRNA的表达及其营养状态的影响.方法 采用含0.5%腺嘌呤及4%酪蛋白饲料联合喂养的方法制作CRF营养不良大鼠模型,观察其营养不良发生时间,符合CRF营养不良模型的随机分为模型组、肾衰养真胶囊组和开同组.治疗4周后,检测下丘脑NPY mRNA和POMC mRNA表达水平.结果 肾衰养真胶囊组大鼠营养状况明显改善,下丘脑的NPY mRNA表达上调及POMC mRNA表达下调.结论 肾衰养真胶囊可改善CRF营养不良大鼠的营养状况,其机制可能是通过上调下丘脑NPY mRNA表达,下调下丘脑POMC mRNA表达,从而促进大鼠摄食.     

神经肽Y对海人酸致痫大鼠中GABAB受体的影响

目的 探讨重组腺相关病毒载体神经肽Y(rAAV2/1-NPY-EGF-P)干预前后海人酸致痫大鼠海马中GABABR表达的变化.方法 将36只雄性Wistar大鼠随机分为三组:KA组(海人酸致痫大鼠组)、NPY组(神经肽Y干预组)及NS组(对照组).KA组大鼠海马CA3区注射海人酸,完成慢性模型,造模成功后不注射病毒;NPY组大鼠海马CA3区注射海人酸,完成慢性模型,造模成功后向脑室注射10μL滴度为5×10u vg/mL的神经肽Y进行基因转染;NS组海马CA3区注射等量的0.9％NaCl.三组大鼠各12只,在基因转染后2周、4周分别取6只观察其发作行为学变化,并采用RT-PCR检测GABABR的表达,以GAPDH为标准参照基因,以之定量分析基因表达的RQ值(相对定量值).结果 通过RT-PCR发现,KA组、NPY组及NS组、海马组织均有GABABR表达.KA组GABABR的基因表达较NS组呈下降趋势(P＜0.05),NPY组GABABR的基因表达呈上升趋势,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).结论 KA组中GABABR的表达明显下降,NPY组中GABABR的表达呈上升趋势.说明GABABR基因表达的降低可能是导致癫痫发生、发展的重要因素.NPY可能通过改变抑制性神经递质的GAB-ABR的表达来达到调控癫痫发作的目的.