Expression of orexin A and its receptor 1 in the human prostate

The peptides orexin A (OXA) and orexin B, deriving from the cleavage of the precursor molecule prepro‐orexin, bind two G‐coupled transmembrane receptors, named as receptor 1 (OX1R) and receptor 2 for orexin, showing different affinity‐binding properties. First discovered in the rat hypothalamus, orexins and their receptors have been also found in many peripheral tissues where they exert neuroendocrine, autocrine and paracrine functions. Because inconclusive data on their localization in the mammalian prostate are reported, the aim of this study was to investigate the presence of prepro‐orexin, OXA and OX1R in the human normal and hyperplastic gland. Immunohistochemistry revealed the localization of both OXA and OX1R in the cytoplasm of the follicular exocrine epithelium of all tested normal and hyperplastic prostates. Positive immunostaining was mainly observed in the basal cells of the stratified epithelium, and only rarely in the apical cells. The expression of mRNAs coding for prepro‐orexin and OX1R and of proteins in the tissues was also ascertained by polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting analysis, respectively. In order to gain insights into the functional activity of OXA in the prostate, we administered different concentrations of OXA to cultured prostatic epithelial cells PNT1A. We first demonstrated that PNT1A cells express OX1R. The addition of OXA did not affect PNT1A cell proliferation, while it enhanced cAMP synthesis and Ca²⁺ release from intracellular storage. Overall, our results definitely demonstrate the expression of OXA and OX1R in the human prostate, and suggest an active role for them in the metabolism of the gland.     

出生前尼古丁暴露增加新生大鼠下丘脑orexin A及延髓内orexin 1型受体表达

流行病学调查显示,出生前暴露于烟雾环境是新生儿猝死综合征发生的首位原因,尼古丁是香烟烟雾中最主要的影响胎儿神经系统发育的成分。为了观察出生前尼古丁暴露对新生大鼠下丘脑orexin A(OXA)及延髓内orexin 1型受体(OX1R)表达的影响,本实验将20只雌性成年大鼠随机均分为二组,怀孕后第5 d开始每天分别皮下注射尼古丁6 mg/kg(模型组)或等量的生理盐水(对照组),直至分娩。随机选取模型组和对照组所产的新生大鼠(1～3 d),采用免疫组织化学方法和图像分析技术,观察新生鼠下丘脑内OXA及延髓内OX1R阳性神经元的分布情况。结果显示:两组新生大鼠下丘脑内OXA免疫阳性细胞均有表达,且都主要存在于下丘脑背内侧区与穹窿周围,模型组的新生大鼠OXA免疫阳性细胞的相对光密度(ROD)值高于对照组(P<0.05)。延髓内OX1R免疫阳性细胞在两组内均有广泛分布,主要分布在腹外侧区和舌下神经核。在这两个区域,模型组新生鼠的OX1R免疫阳性细胞的ROD值均高于对照组(P<0.001)。以上结果表明,出生前尼古丁暴露的新生大鼠,下丘脑OXA及延髓内OX1R的表达均上调,提示出生前尼古丁暴露改变了新生大鼠脑内OXA系统递质的释放和突触传递,这意味着脑内orexin系统参与出生前尼古丁暴露导致的各种疾患。     

Localization of orexin B and orexin-2 receptor in the rat epididymis

The peptides orexin A (OXA) and orexin B (OXB) derived from the proteolytic cleavage of a common precursor molecule, prepro-orexin, were originally described in the rat hypothalamus. Successively, they have been found in many other brain regions as well as in peripheral organs of mammals and other less evolved animals. The widespread localization of orexins accounts for the multiple activities that they exert in the body, including the regulation of energy homeostasis, feeding, metabolism, sleep and arousal, stress, addiction, and cardiovascular and endocrine functions. Both OXA and OXB peptides bind to two G-coupled receptors, orexin-1 (OX1R) and orexin-2 (OX2R) receptor, though with different binding affinity. Altered expression/activity of orexins and their receptors has been associated with a large number of human diseases. Though at present evidence highlighted a role for orexins and cognate receptors in mammalian reproduction, their central and/or local effects on gonadal functions remain poorly known. Here, we investigated the localization of OXB and OX2R in the rat epididymis. Immunohistochemical staining of sections from caput, corpus and cauda segments of the organ showed intense signals for both OXB and OX2R in the principal cells of the lining epithelium, while no staining was detected in the other cell types. Negative results were obtained from immunohistochemical analysis of hypothalamic and testicular tissues from OX2R knock-out mice (OX2R^?/?) and OX1R/OX2R double knock-out (OX1R^?/?; OX2R^?/?) mice, thus demonstrating the specificity of the rabbit polyclonal anti-OX2R antibody used in our study. On contrary, the same antibody clearly showed the presence of OX2R in sections from hypothalamus and testis of normal mice and rats which are well known to express the receptor. Thus, our results provide the first definite evidence for the immunohistochemical localization of OXB and OX2R in the principal cells of rat epididymis.     

Localization of the orexin system in the gastrointestinal tract of fallow deer

The aim of the present study was to investigate by immunohistochemistry the presence and distribution of the orexin system in the stomach and gut of fallow deer. Abundant orexin A-positive cells were localized in the middle and basal portions of the mucosal glands of the cardial and fundic regions of the stomach. In the same gastric areas, orexin B-positive cells were also found, mainly localized in the basal portion of glands. In the intestinal tract, orexin-containing cells were occasionally found in the duodenal epithelium and in the rectal intestinal glands. Immunoreactivity for orexin receptors, type 1 and 2 (OX1R and OX2R), was not detected in the same stomach regions. OX1R-immunopositivity was observed in the enteric neuron ganglia localized in the submucosal and muscular intestinal layers, while OX2R-immunopositivity was found close in contact with the cytoplasmic membrane of epithelial cells in the small intestine.     

增食欲素系统在胰岛素抵抗大鼠胰腺组织中的表达及意义

目的：研究高脂肪膳食诱导的胰岛素抵抗（IR）大鼠胰腺组织中增食欲素（orexin）及其受体的变化规律。方法:IR大鼠模型采用高脂肪膳食诱导并经钳夹技术证实。采用微型血糖仪和化学发光免疫分析法测定全血葡萄糖和血清胰岛素的变化。应用实时定量PCR和Western 印迹杂交分析检测胰腺组织中orexin及orexin受体（OXR）mRNA和蛋白质在IR状态下的表达改变。结果:高脂肪膳食喂养4周后，实验组大鼠葡萄糖输注率由对照组(12.5±0.6) mg·kg-1·min-1下降至(7.6±0.4) mg·kg-1·min-1。实验组大鼠的体重、全血葡萄糖、血清胰岛素水平高于对照组，分别为26％、25％和30％（P<0.05）；高脂肪膳食诱导的IR大鼠胰腺组织中orexin mRNA和蛋白质的表达比对照组减少约71%和63％，而OX1R mRNA和蛋白质的表达比对照组降低约49％和67％（P<0.05），OX2R mRNA和蛋白质的表达改变不明显。结论:高脂肪膳食可诱导大鼠体内产生IR，并抑制胰腺中orexin及其OX1R基因的转录和翻译。Orexin系统可能是参与调节脂肪－胰岛轴的主要因素。     

Merkel cells, a new localization of prepro-orexin and orexin receptors

Orexins (OXA and OXB) are peptides derived from a common precursor called prepro-orexin. They act through G-protein receptors named orexin 1 receptor (OX(1)R) and orexin 2 receptor (OX(2)R). Orexins were first demonstrated in neurons of the lateral hypothalamus and found to be related to the control of food intake. However, it has been shown that they are widely distributed in both the nervous system and peripheral tissues, including endocrine organs such as the pituitary and adrenal glands. Merkel cells are neuroendocrine cells situated in the epidermis, tactile hairs and oral mucosa, and act as mechanoreceptors. Up to the present, various neuropeptides have been detected in these cells. The aim of the present study was to detect the presence of prepro-orexin and orexin receptors (OX(1)R and OX(2)R) in porcine Merkel cells using immunohistochemistry. Prepro-orexin was expressed in the cytoplasm of Merkel cells in the skin of the pig snout. Immunoreactivity for prepro-orexin was more intense in the mature side of the cell, where the dense-cored granules are accumulated. Epidermal nerve terminals associated with Merkel cells and dermal nerve fibres showed no immunostaining. Both orexin receptors (OX(1)R and OX(2)R) were also demonstrated in the cytoplasm of Merkel cells of pig snout skin. The finding of orexins and their receptors in Merkel cells suggests that they have an autocrine function. Further studies are needed to ascertain the significance of this function.     

Reinvestigation of the effect of orexin A on catecholamine release from adrenal chromaffin cells

Orexins have been shown to be implicated in the regulation of adrenal medulla functions. However, there are still inconsistent investigations on the effects of orexins on catecholamine release from chromaffin cells in varying species. In the present study, using the carbon-fiber amperometry, we investigated whether orexin A would stimulate catecholamine release from rat and mouse adrenal chromffin cells. Puff application of orexin A dose-dependently induced amperometric currents in the cultured rat chromaffin cells, which was completely blocked by the selective OX1R antagonist SB-334867 or by the removal of extracellular calcium. Likewise, in the mouse adrenal medulla slices, orexin A also induced catecholamine release mainly through the activation of OX1R. These results gain insight into our understanding of the pharmacological relevance of orexin system in modulating neuroendocrine functions.     

orexin A和orexin 1型受体在新生大鼠与成年大鼠延髓分布的比较

本文研究orexinA(OXA)和orexin 1型受体(OX1R)在新生大鼠与成年大鼠延髓的分布及比较。新生(1～5d)和成年(6～8周)SD大鼠,取其延髓,采用免疫组织化学方法和图像分析技术,观察OXA和OX1R在新生与成年SD大鼠延髓的分布。结果显示,OXA免疫反应阳性纤维和OX1R免疫反应阳性细胞在新生和成年SD大鼠延髓内有广泛分布,主要分布在延髓腹外侧区(ventrolateralmedulla,VLM)和舌下神经核(hypoglossalnucleus,XII)。在这两个区域,新生大鼠组的OX1R免疫反应阳性细胞的相对光密度值均低于成年大鼠组(P<0.001)。结果表明随着大鼠发育成熟,OX1R表达水平增加,可能与其生理功能完善有关。OXA免疫反应纤维和OX1R免疫反应阳性细胞在延髓的VLM和XII的表达提示可能与心血管和呼吸等活动的调节有关。     

Effects of orexin (hypocretin) on GIRK channels

Orexins (hypocretins) are recently discovered excitatory transmitters implicated in arousal and sleep. Yet, their ionic and signal transduction mechanisms have not been fully clarified. Here we show that orexins suppress G-protein-coupled inward rectifier (GIRK) channel activity, and this suppression is likely to lead to neuronal excitation. Cultured neurons from the locus coeruleus (LC) and the nucleus tuberomammillaris (TM) were used, as well as HEK293A cells transfected with GIRK1 and 2, either human orexin receptor type 1 (OX1R) or type 2 (OX2R), mu opioid receptor and GFP cDNAs. In GTPgammaS-loaded cells, orexin A (OXA, 3 microM) inhibited GIRK currents that had previously been activated by somatostatin (in LC cells), nociceptin (TM cells), or the mu opioid agonist DAMGO (HEK cells). In guanosine triphosphate (GTP)-loaded HEK cells, in which GIRK currents were not preactivated, OXA induced a biphasic response through both types of orexin receptors: an initial current increase and a subsequent decrease to below resting levels. Current-voltage (I-V) relationships revealed that both the OXA-induced and suppressed currents are inwardly rectifying with reversal potentials around EK. The OXA-induced initial current was partially pertussis toxin (PTX) sensitive and partially PTX insensitive, whereas the OXA-suppressed current was PTX insensitive. These data suggest that orexin receptors couple with more than one type of G-protein, including PTX-sensitive (such as Gi/o) and PTX-insensitive (such as Gq/11) G-proteins. The modulation of GIRK channels by orexins may be one of the cellular mechanisms for the regulation of brain nuclei (e.g., LC and TM) that are crucial for arousal, sleep, and appetite.     

Orexin 1 receptor in the seminiferous tubules of boar testis: An immunohistochemical study

Orexin receptor 1 (OX₁R) and orexin receptor 2 (OX₂R) are two G-protein-coupled receptors that bind their ligands, orexin A (OXA) and B (OXB), with different affinities. The male genital system represents an important target for OXA, which appears to play a role in the control of steroidogenesis and germ cell development in the testis. It is known that among domestic breeding animals, in the boar the number of Leydig cells is very high and OXA appears to have stimulatory activity on testosterone production. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the presence of OX₁R in the boar testis in order to extend our knowledge concerning the distribution and a potential functional role of the orexinergic system in the male reproductive tract of farm animals. The presence of OX₁R immunopositive cells in seminiferous tubules of the boar testis enables us to hypothesize a possible role of OXA on male germ cells cycle in pig. Further investigations, involving functional and ultrastructural analysis, may contribute to our understanding of the role of orexins in the boar genital system.     

Plasma orexin A increases at emergence from sevoflurane-fentanyl anesthesia in patients undergoing ophthalmologic surgery

Central orexinergic and noradrenergic neurons are involved in the control of sleep and wakefulness. In addition, previous reports suggest that both neurons may have an important role to play in general anesthesia. In the present study, we have determined whether general anesthesia would affect plasma orexin A (OXA) and norepinephrine concentrations. Twelve patients scheduled for elective ophthalmic surgery under general anesthesia with sevoflurane, fentanyl and vecuronium were studied. Arterial blood was collected before and 1 and 2 h after induction of anesthesia and at emergence to measure plasma OXA, cortisol, norepinephrine and epinephrine concentrations. During anesthesia the inhalational concentration of sevoflurane was changed to maintain the bispectral index between 40 and 50. Plasma OXA, cortisol, norepinephrine and epinephrine did not change during anesthesia but significantly increased after emergence compared to pre-anesthesia (from 14.8 ± 1.7 to 21.4 ± 1.7 pM, p < 0.01, from 26.5 ± 5.2 to 52.8 ± 6.0 pM, p < 0.01, from 263 ± 46 to 513 ± 89 pM, p < 0.01, and from 1239 ± 120 to 1631 ± 203 pM, p < 0.01, respectively). There were significant correlations of plasma OXA with cortisol (r = 0.334, p < 0.05) and epinephrine (r = 0.292, p < 0.05) but not with norepinephrine. In conclusion we found that plasma OXA significantly increased at emergence from sevoflurane-fentanyl anesthesia and this was probably via activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.     

Role of the orexinergic system in acute haemorrhage in the rat

Orexins (OXs) stimulate sympathetic nerve activity to increase arterial pressure (AP) and heart rate (HR). We have previously reported that the OX(1)-receptor antagonist SB-334867 reversed the sympathomimetic actions of orexin A (OXA). In the present study we have investigated the role(s) of the orexinergic system in sympathetic activation during haemorrhage in rats. Sixteen Wistar rats, anaesthetised with pentobarbital, were assigned to 2 groups: saline i.p. (group S) and SB-334867 30 mg/kg i.p. (group SB) n=8 each. Haemorrhagic shock was established by acute withdrawal of 10 ml/kg of blood via an arterial catheter three times with a 30 min interval between each withdrawal. Haemodynamics were assessed 30 min after 10, 20, and 30 ml/kg of blood withdrawal. In addition, plasma orexin A and catecholamine concentrations in the shed blood were determined. In both groups, mean AP (MAP) and HR decreased significantly. Plasma catecholamine concentrations significantly increased following blood withdrawal. The reduction in MAP/HR and elevation of catecholamine levels were dependent on the total amount of shed blood. There were no differences between the groups. Plasma OXA concentrations increased to a greater extent in group SB than group S in response to haemorrhage. There was a significant correlation between plasma catecholamines and %change in MAP (epinephrine: r=0.553, p=0.0001, norepinephrine: r=0.374, p=0.0087) and HR (epinephrine: r=0.403, p=0.005, norepinephrine: r=0.436, p=0.002). There was no correlation with plasma orexin A levels. These data suggest that despite a weak activation the orexinergic system is unlikely to make a major contribution to the response to haemorrhage.     

大鼠发情周期下丘脑中食欲素及其受体的变化

目的 观察大鼠发情周期各期下丘脑中食欲素及其受体(OX1R、OX2R)表达的变化,探讨食欲素对发情周期的可能调节作用.方法 通过竞争性逆转录多聚酶链式反应 (competitive RT-PCR)方法检测大鼠下丘脑中食欲素前体(Prepro-Orexin)、食欲素-A、OXIR和OX2R在发情周期各期的表达.结果 发情前期的OX1R mRNA表达水平明显高于发情后期,而prepro-OX和OX2R mRNA的表达各期间没有明显的不同.结论 食欲素可能通过结合OX1R调节促性腺激素释放激素和/或黄体生成素的分泌而参与排卵的发生.     

Agonist ligand discrimination by the two orexin receptors depends on the expression system

Despite the recent successes in producing orexin receptor subtype-selective antagonists, these are not commonly available, and therefore, agonist ligands are regularly used to ascribe cell and tissue responses to OX(1) or OX(2) receptors. In the current study, we have compared the native "subtype-selective" agonist, orexin-B, and its reputedly enhanced synthetic variant, Ala(11), d-Leu(15)-orexin-B, in two different recombinant cell lines. Ca2+ elevation was used as readout, and the two "selective" ligands were compared to the subtype-non-selective orexin-A, as is customary with these ligands. In transiently transfected HEK-293 cells, orexin-B showed 9-fold selectivity for the OX(2) receptor and Ala(11), d-Leu(15)-orexin-B 23-fold selectivity, when the potency ratios of ligands were compared between OX(1) and OX(2). In stable CHO-K1 cells, the corresponding values were only 2.6- and 14-fold, respectively. In addition to being low, the selectivity of the ligands was also variable, as indicated by the comparison of the two cell lines. For instance, the relative potency of Ala(11), d-Leu(15)-orexin-B at OX(2) in CHO cells was only 2.3-fold higher than its relative potency at OX(1) in HEK-293 cells; this indicates that Ala(11), d-Leu(15)-orexin-B does not show high enough selectivity for OX(2) to be useful for determination of receptor subtype expression. Comparison of the potencies of orexin-A and -B with respect to a number of published responses in OX(1)-expressing CHO cells, demonstrates that these show great variation: i.e., orexin-A is 1.6-18-fold more potent than orexin-B, depending on the response assessed. These data together suggest that orexin receptor ligands show signal trafficking, which makes agonist-based pharmacology unreliable.     

Individual differences in wheel-running rhythms are related to temporal and spatial patterns of activation of orexin A and B cells in a diurnal rodent (Arvicanthis niloticus)

This study investigated the relationship between the orexins and patterns of activity in the diurnal Nile grass rat, Arvicanthis niloticus. Some individuals of this species switch to a more nocturnal pattern when given access to a running wheel, while others continue to be most active during the day. In both day- and night-active grass rats, the percentages of orexin A (OXA) and orexin B (OXB) cells expressing Fos were highest when animals were actively running in wheels. In night-active animals, removal of the running wheel significantly decreased OXA and OXB cell Fos expression. Additionally, in night-active animals, clear regional differences were apparent. In these animals the presence of a wheel induced higher percentages of Fos in both OXA and OXB cells in medial regions of the lateral hypothalamus than in lateral regions. In night-active animals without access to wheels, this medial-lateral gradient was present only in OXA cells. No regional differences were observed in day-active animals. This study demonstrates that individual differences in the patterns of activation of OXA and OXB cell populations are related to differences in the temporal pattern of wheel running. We also present evidence that orexin cells have projections to the intergeniculate leaflet that appear to make contact with neuropeptide-Y cells. We discuss the possibility that these fibers may be involved in relaying feedback regarding the activity state of the animal to the circadian system through these projections.     

Role of orexin/hypocretin in reward-seeking and addiction: Implications for obesity

Orexins (also named hypocretins) are recently discovered neuropeptides made exclusively in the hypothalamus. Recent studies have shown that orexin cells located specifically in lateral hypothalamus (LH) are involved in motivated behavior for drugs of abuse as well as natural rewards. Administration of orexin has been shown to stimulate food consumption, and orexin signaling in VTA has been implicated in intake of high-fat food. In self-administration studies, the orexin 1 receptor antagonist SB-334867 (SB) attenuated operant responding for high-fat pellets, sucrose pellets and ethanol, but not cocaine, demonstrating that signaling at orexin receptors is necessary for reinforcement of specific rewards. The orexin system is also implicated in associations between rewards and relevant stimuli. For example, Fos expression in LH orexin neurons varied in proportion to conditioned place preference (CPP) for food, morphine, or cocaine. This Fos expression was altered accordingly for CPP administered during protracted abstinence from morphine or cocaine, when preference for natural rewards was decreased and drug preference was increased. Additionally, orexin has been shown to be involved in reward-stimulus associations in the self-administration paradigm, where SB attenuated cue-induced reinstatement of extinguished sucrose- or cocaine-seeking. Although the specific circuitry mediating the effects of orexin on food reward remains unknown, VTA seems likely to be a critical target for at least some of these orexin actions. Thus, recent studies have established a role for orexin in reward-based feeding, and further investigation is warranted for determining whether function/dysfunction of the orexin system may contribute to the overeating associated with obesity.The paper represents an invited review by a symposium, award winner or keynote speaker at the Society for the Study of Ingestive Behavior [SSIB] Annual Meeting in Portland, July 2009.     

妊娠、分娩以及泌乳期大鼠下丘脑中食欲素及其受体表达的变化

目的 观察大鼠下丘脑中食欲素(Orexin)及其受体(OX1R、OX2R)在妊娠、分娩以及泌乳期表达的变化,以探讨Orexin与生殖功能之间的关系.方法 通过竞争性逆转录多聚酶链式反应(Competitive RT-PCR)和免疫组织化学方法测定大鼠下丘脑中Orexin前体(Prepro-OX)、Orexin-A、OX1R和OX2R在妊娠、分娩以及泌乳期的表达.结果 Orexin-A和OX1R阳性神经元主要分别存在于大鼠下丘脑外侧区(LHA)以及妊娠和泌乳期大鼠的下丘脑室旁核 (PVN)和视上核(SON).泌乳第1d的Prepro-Orexin mRNA和OX1R的表达水平明显高于妊娠后期和泌乳期.OX2R的表达在生殖各时期之间没有明显改变.结论 Orexin可能参与大鼠泌乳早期的生殖功能调节,下丘脑的PVN及SON可能是其重要的作用部位.     

Elevated expression of orexin receptor 2 (HCRTR2) in benign prostatic hyperplasia is accompanied by lowered serum orexin A concentrations

In search for the new polypeptides responsible for energy homeostasis which are also involved in regulating the growth and function of the human prostate, we assessed the expression of orexins (OXs) and of orexin receptors (OXRs) in human normal prostate and in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Conventional RT-PCR revealed the expression of OXR2 in all studied samples obtained either from normal prostates or BPH ones while neither preproorexin (ppOX)nor OXR1 mRNA were detected. In adenomatous prostates, expression levels of OXR2 were 30- to 40-fold higher compared to controls. Western blot analysis demonstrated the presence of OXR2 protein in the studied samples and its expression levels were 4-fold higher in tissue samples from BPH. In normal glands, presence of OXR2-like immunoreactivity was found in the apical parts of epithelial cells as well as in smooth muscle cells of the stroma. Immunostaining for OXR2 was more intense in sections obtained from BPH. Immunohistochemistry did not detect the expression of OXR1-like protein. OXA serum concentrations were lowered in BPH patients (mean?±?SE 56±4 ng/ml, n=12; P<0.01) and unaltered in prostate cancer (79±7 ng/ml, n=18) compared to the controls (69±2?ng/ml, n=16). On the contrary, serum OXB levels were similar in all studied groups of patients. We thus have demonstrated the mRNA and protein expression of OXR2, but not of ppOX and OXR1 in both normal and BPH human prostate glands. We also demonstrated notable up-regulation of OXR2 in benign prostatic hyperplasia, an alteration accompanied by lowered serum OXA concentrations. These findings suggest that both OXA and OXR2 may be involved in the pathogenesis and/or maintenance of BPH.     

Promotion of sleep by suvorexant-a novel dual orexin receptor antagonist

Orexins/hypocretins are key neuropeptides responsible for regulating central arousal and reward circuits. Two receptors respond to orexin signaling, orexin 1 receptor (OX(1)R) and orexin 2 receptor (OX(2)R) with partially overlapping nervous system distributions. Genetic studies suggest orexin receptor antagonists could be therapeutic for insomnia and other disorders with disruptions of sleep and wake. Suvorexant (MK-4305) is a potent, selective, and orally bioavailable antagonist of OX(1)R and OX(2)R currently under clinical investigation as a novel therapy for insomnia. Examination of Suvorexant in radioligand binding assays using tissue from transgenic rats expressing the human OX(2)R found nearly full receptor occupancy (>90%) at plasma exposures of 1.1 μM. Dosed orally Suvorexant significantly and dose-dependently reduced locomotor activity and promoted sleep in rats (10, 30, and 100 mg/kg), dogs (1 and 3 mg/kg), and rhesus monkeys (10 mg/kg). Consistent cross-species sleep/wake architecture changes produced by Suvorexant highlight a unique opportunity to develop dual orexin antagonists as a novel therapy for insomnia.     

Sleep disorders,obesity, and aging: The role of orexin

The hypothalamic neuropeptides orexin A and B (hypocretin 1 and 2) are important homeostatic mediators of central control of energy metabolism and maintenance of sleep/wake states. Dysregulation or loss of orexin signaling has been linked to narcolepsy, obesity, and age-related disorders. In this review, we present an overview of our current understanding of orexin function, focusing on sleep disorders, energy balance, and aging, in both rodents and humans. We first discuss animal models used in studies of obesity and sleep, including loss of function using transgenic or viral-mediated approaches, gain of function models using exogenous delivery of orexin receptor agonist, and naturally-occurring models in which orexin responsiveness varies by individual. We next explore rodent models of orexin in aging, presenting evidence that orexin loss contributes to age-related changes in sleep and energy balance. In the next section, we focus on clinical importance of orexin in human obesity, sleep, and aging. We include discussion of orexin loss in narcolepsy and potential importance of orexin in insomnia, correlations between animal and human studies of age-related decline, and evidence for orexin involvement in age-related changes in cognitive performance. Finally, we present a summary of recent studies of orexin in neurodegenerative disease. We conclude that orexin acts as an integrative homeostatic signal influencing numerous brain regions, and that this pivotal role results in potential dysregulation of multiple physiological processes when orexin signaling is disrupted or lost.