下丘脑室旁核外源性orexin-A对肥胖大鼠摄食的影响及NPY受体信号的调控

目的:探讨饮食诱导肥胖(DIO)大鼠神经肽Y(NPY)受体信号通路是否参与下丘脑室旁核(PVN)外源性注射食欲素A(orexin-A)对摄食和葡萄糖敏感(GS)神经元兴奋性的调控。方法:采用荧光免疫组织化学实验观察PVN中orexin-A受体(即食欲素1型受体,OX1R)和NPY受体Y5(NPY-5R)的表达;采用单细胞外放电记录观察orexin-A对PVN内GS神经元兴奋性的影响;分别于SD大鼠和DIO大鼠PVN埋置套管,经套管注射orexinA、OX1R拮抗剂SB-334867和NPY-5R拮抗剂CGP-71683,观察大鼠0~2 h和0~4 h摄食量。结果:DIO大鼠PVN中OX1R和NPY-5R的表达显著高于SD大鼠。Orexin-A抑制PVN内葡萄糖抑制性(GI)神经元,兴奋葡萄糖兴奋性(GE)神经元,但是orexin-A对GS神经元的兴奋或抑制效应可被NPY-5R拮抗剂CGP-71683部分阻断,且与SD大鼠相比,orexin-A对DIO大鼠PVN内GS神经元兴奋或抑制效应更加明显。PVN内注射orexin-A可增加SD大鼠和DIO大鼠摄食量。但是orexin-A诱导的促摄食效应被NPY-5R拮抗剂CGP-71683部分阻断。与SD大鼠相比,orexin-A诱导的促摄食效应在DIO大鼠中更加明显。结论:PVN内外源性注射orexin-A可能主要通过OX1R信号通路参与大鼠摄食和GS神经元兴奋性调控,NPY-5R信号也参与了该过程调控,在DIO大鼠中更敏感。     

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.     

妊高征大鼠脑内室旁核、视上核及孤束核内血管紧张素Ⅱ1型受体的表达

目的观察妊娠高血压大鼠(PIH)与正常妊娠大鼠下丘脑室旁核(PVN)、视上核(SON)及孤束核(NTS)内血管紧张素Ⅱ1型受体(AT1)免疫阳性神经元的分布。方法用免疫荧光染色技术对PIH大鼠AT1分布的神经元进行了研究,并与正常大鼠进行比较。结果两组大鼠PVN、SON、NTS内AT1免疫阳性神经元的分布与形态基本类似。数据经统计学处理,结果表明,PIH组大鼠PVN和NTS内AT1阳性细胞数目较对照组多,而两组大鼠SON内AT1的表达无明显差异。结论实验结果提示AT1在下丘脑PVN和NTS内的血压神经内分泌调节活动中起着重要的介导作用,中枢AT1受体的异常增加可能与母体妊高征的发病有关。     

原发性高血压状态下血管紧张素Ⅱ1型受体在下丘脑及延髓头端腹外侧区的表达

目的观察WKY大鼠和自发性高血压大鼠(SHR)下丘脑室旁核(PVN)、视上核(SON)和延髓头端腹外侧区(RVLM)内血管紧张素Ⅱ1型受体(AT-1R)的表达。方法应用免疫荧光染色技术。结果两组大鼠PVN、SON、RVLM内AT-1R免疫阳性神经元的分布与形态基本类似。SHR大鼠PVN、SON和RVLM内AT-1R阳性细胞数目较WKY组多,荧光强度也较对照组强。结论本研究提示AT-1R在下丘脑和RVLM内的血压神经内分泌调节活动中起着重要的介导作用,原发性高血压的发生发展与脑内AT-1R的异常增加所致的对AngⅡ反应性增强有关。     

原发性高血压进程中下丘脑内神经元型一氧化氮合酶和血管紧张素Ⅱ1型受体的共表达

目的:观察Wistar-Kyoto(WKY)大鼠和自发性高血压大鼠(SHR)下丘脑室旁核(PVN)和视上核(SON)内神经元型一氧化氮合酶(nNOS)和血管紧张素Ⅱ1型受体(AT-1R)的共表达,以及加压素(AVP)和nNOS基因水平的表达差异.方法:应用免疫荧光双标染色结合RT-PCR技术.结果:SHR和WKY大鼠PVN和SON内都有大量的nNOS和AT-1R免疫阳性神经元分布并部分共存,但SHR组nNOS和AT-1R共存率明显高于对照组.与之一致,SHR组PVN和SON内nNOS和AVP mRNA含量都高于对照组.结论:在高血压发病进程中,NO发生代偿性增加,可部分负反馈抑制中枢肾素-血管紧张素系统,但这种抑制不能完全逆转过度激活的血管紧张素Ⅱ和AVP.     

加压素在自发性高血压大鼠与正常大鼠下丘脑视上核、室旁核神经元内表达

目的观察加压素(AVP)在自发性高血压大鼠(SHR)与正常大鼠下丘脑视上核(SON)、室旁核(PVN)内的分布。方法应用光镜和免疫细胞化学技术。结果SHR的AVP阳性细胞内分泌颗粒密集呈棕黄色,正常大鼠组则染色较浅。SHR大鼠SON内AVP阳性神经元百分数(69.30±18.10%)明显多于正常大鼠(59.53±16.97%,P<0.05),而两组大鼠PVN内AVP的表达无明显差异。结论AVP在下丘脑的血压调节活动中起着重要的介导作用,中枢AVP含量的异常增加可能与高血压的发病有关。     

高湿热环境下谷氨酸及其受体在大鼠下丘脑的表达变化

目的 探讨高湿热环境下大鼠的耐热极限时间和下丘脑内谷氨酸(Glu)和N-甲基-D-天门冬氨酸(NMDA)受体2(NMDAR2)的表达及其意义.方法 将大鼠置于仿真气候舱[干球温度(40.0±0.5)℃,相对湿度(60±5)%]内,观察动物的行为反应,动物出现昏迷或抽搐则立即取出动物,常规固定、取脑制片,用免疫组织化学方法显示Glu、NMDAR2和加压素(VP)在下丘脑的室旁核(PVN)和视上核(SON)的表达.结果 动物在高湿热环境下表现躁动不安、呼吸加快、前爪抓挠面部,持续120min左右时部分动物死亡.切片观察湿热刺激组的下丘脑PVN和SON中Glu、NMDAR2以及VP表达比对照组明显上调(P＜0.01).结论 高湿热环境下大鼠的耐热极限时间约是120 min.下丘脑内的谷氨酸代谢参与机体对高湿热刺激的反应及其调节过程.     

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。     

后叶加压素在下丘脑的分布和释放途径及失水对正中隆起中后叶加压素的影响

我们用免疫细胞化学方法(ICC)对大白鼠下丘脑中加压素(VP)免疫反应阳性的神经元作了较详细研究。观察到VP阳性神经元存在于下丘脑室旁核(PVN)各亚核、视上核(SON)、交叉上核(SCN)、室周核(PN)及一些附属核团,包括环状核(CN)、交叉后核(RCN)、下丘脑外侧核(HLN)、穹窿周围核(PFN)。且发现一特殊的VP阳性胞体聚集区—很可能是多巴胺神经元聚集区A_(14)中的细胞,位于第三脑室侧壁中1/3段两侧,腹内侧核背侧。本文首次观察到在PVN和SON之间有VP阳性的神经纤维相联系。ICC和免疫电镜研究进一步证明在正中隆起外带存在VP阳性纤维,含大颗粒囊泡的VP末梢紧邻门脉毛细血管。将HRP注入第四脑室用HRP逆行追踪与ICC方法相结合,在PVN中观察到双标细胞,与直接用ICC法所见VP阳性轴突伸入第三脑室腔的结果一致。说明PVN中存在接触脑脊液神经元。干渴动物正中隆起的内、外带中的VP免疫反应明显减弱。     

大鼠下丘脑加压素神经元的免疫细胞化学初步观察

用免疫细胞化学方法,观察到青年和老年大鼠下丘脑室旁核(PVN)视上核(SON)部位加压素免疫反应阳性神经元(VP神经元)较密集出现,并有粗细两类纤维。在PVN,有时可见一些VP神经元胞体或纤维接近或存在于室管膜层,甚至伸入第三脑室内。多数老年鼠PVN的VP神经元胞体染色浅,深染颗粒减少。发自PVN的粗细纤维都显著减少,染色也变浅。但VP细胞数量、形态、大小和青年鼠差不多。在老年鼠SON,VP神经元未见明显改变。     

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。     

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.     

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。     

Onset of feeding at birth—Perinatal development of the hypothalamic mechanisms that induce appetite and feeding in the newborn

Orexin-A and -B are hypothalamic peptides which, in the adult brain, are associated with arousal, increased vigilance, and the seeking and ingestion of food. Because the fetus is mostly asleep, and hunger is a physiological state unlikely to arise until birth, we hypothesized that orexigenic neurons in the lateral and dorso-medial hypothalamic areas (LHA, DMH) and their projections to the locus coeruleus (LC) would develop only near the time of birth. We therefore determined orexin expression in fetal sheep, where birth occurs over a tightly regulated interval of 146–148 days gestation. Immunohistochemistry was used to determine the presence and distribution of orexin-A positive fibres and cells at the level of the hypothalamus and LC in fetal (125–137 and 145+ days gestation age) and newborn sheep brains. Orexin was measured by radioimmunoassay in plasma samples taken from chronically catheterised fetal and newborn sheep, and in CSF taken from fetuses and lambs at postmortem. Orexin-A positive cells bodies were observed in the hypothalamus, and orexin-A fibres were found throughout all hypothalamic, thalamic, and brain stem regions of all the fetal and newborn brains examined. Orexin-A was present in plasma and CSF at similar concentrations in fetal and newborn sheep. The presence of orexin in hypothalamic neurons and CSF throughout late gestation suggests that orexinergic regulation of hunger, appetite and the sleep/wake cycle is inhibited, by mechanisms yet to be identified, until the time of parturition.     

慢性脑缺血大鼠脑OX1R表达的变化

目的：研究慢性脑缺血时脑食欲素受体-1（OX1R）的表达及其随缺血时间的变化。方法：通过结扎双侧颈总动脉建立慢性脑缺血模型，通过水迷宫对慢性脑缺血大鼠的行为学进行评价，免疫组化法观察OX1R的表达，双标免疫荧光进一步确定OX1R表达的定位。结果：缺血15d时大鼠的学习记忆能力明显减退，1月、2月较缺血15 d模型组的学习记忆能力有所好转。同时，从缺血急性期一直持续到15 d OX1R的表达明显增高，1月时OX1R的表达明显低于15d，2月时OX1R的表达再次增高。从组织学看：15d时部分细胞萎缩，1月时大部分细胞变形萎缩，2月时部分细胞形态恢复正常。双标免疫荧光证实OX1R确实在神经元有表达。结论：慢性缺血性脑损伤时OX1R的表达呈双相性变化,食欲素系统可能在缺血性脑损伤与修复过程中发挥一定的调节作用。     

Immunohistochemical localization of orexin A and orexin type 2 receptor-positive cells in the placenta of dogs

The aim of the present study was to examine the presence and distribution of cells that express immunopositivity for orexin A (OXA) and its type 2 receptor (OX2R) in the dog placenta toward the end of pregnancy using immunohistochemical techniques. In the placental fetal portion, a few OXA and OX2R-positive cells were seen scattered in the outermost coating layer of chorionic villi and in the trophoblastic protrusions. Closer to the maternal portion, immunopositive labeling for both peptides was visible in the glandular epithelia and that for OXA also in the endothelium of the capillaries. These observations allow us to hypothesize that the canine placenta may be not only a source of orexin A, but also its target, and that orexin A may play an important role in controlling the function of this important organ for normal fetal development.     

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.     

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.