NOTCH and IGF1 signaling systems are involved in the effects exerted by anthelminthic treatment of heifers on the bovine mammary gland.

Dairy heifers with gastrointestinal nematodes have reduced growth rates, and delayed age at puberty and milk production onset related to late mammary gland development. IGF1 and Notch signaling systems are important in this process, and an altered profile of serum IGF1 has been associated with the detrimental effect of the nematodes on parenchymal development. In this context, we aimed to study the molecular mechanisms involved in bovine mammary gland development around pre and postpuberty, focusing on proliferative and angiogenic processes that involve the Notch and IGF1 pathways.

Neuroendocrine control of brown adipocyte function by prolactin and growth hormone.

Growth hormone (GH) is fundamental for growth and glucose homeostasis, and prolactin for optimal pregnancy and lactation outcome, but additionally, both hormones have multiple functions that include a strong impact on energetic metabolism. In this respect, prolactin and GH receptors have been found in brown, and white adipocytes, as well as in hypothalamic centers regulating thermogenesis. This review describes the neuroendocrine control of the function and plasticity of brown and beige adipocytes, with a special focus on prolactin and GH actions.

Silica-collagen nanoformulations with extended human growth hormone release.

Growth hormone deficiency has been treated by the daily administration of recombinant human growth hormone (hGH) for decades. Patient compliance to this treatment is generally incomplete due to challenges including dose frequency and lack of perceived benefits. This stimulates the research on new formulations to reduce the number of periodic administrations.

Benzophenones alter autophagy and ER stress gene expression in pancreatic beta cells in vitro.

Benzophenones (BPs) are endocrine disruptors frequently used in sunscreens and food packaging as UV blockers. Our goal was to assess the effect of benzophenone 2 (BP2) and 3 (BP3) on gene expression related to autophagy process and ER stress response in pancreatic beta cells. To that end, the mouse pancreatic beta cell line MIN6B1 was treated with 10 µM BP2 or BP3 in the presence or absence of the autophagy-inhibitor chloroquine (CQ, 10 µM) or the autophagy-inducer rapamycin (RAPA, 50 nM) during 24 h.

Severe Hyperprolactinemia Promotes Brown Adipose Tissue Whitening and Aggravates High Fat Diet Induced Metabolic Imbalance.

Background: The association of high serum prolactin and increased body weight is positive but controversial, therefore we hypothesized that additional factors such as diets and the impact of prolactin on brown adipose tissue may condition its metabolic effects.

Methods: We used LacDrd2KO females with lifelong severe hyperprolactinemia due dopamine-D2 receptor deletion from lactotropes, and slow onset of metabolic disturbances, and compared them to their respective controls ). Food intake, and binge eating was evaluated.

Galectin-1 impacts on glucose homeostasis by modulating pancreatic insulin release.

Type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is an expanding global health problem, involving defective insulin secretion by pancreatic β-cells and peripheral insulin resistance, leading to impaired glucose regulation. Galectin-1-an endogenous lectin with affinity for N-acetyllactosamine (LacNAc)-containing glycans-has emerged as a regulator of inflammatory and metabolic disorders. However, the role of galectin-1 in glucose homeostasis and pancreatic β-cell function, independently of hypercaloric diets, has not been explored.

Metabolic functions of prolactin: Physiological and pathological aspects.

Prolactin is named after its vital role of promoting milk production during lactation, although it has been implicated in multiple functions within the body, including metabolism and energy homeostasis. Prolactin has been hypothesised to play a key role in driving many of the adaptations of the maternal body to allow the mother to meet the physiological demands of both pregnancy and lactation, including the high energetic demands of the growing foetus followed by milk production to support the offspring after birth. Prolactin receptors are found in many tissues involved in metabolism and food intake, such as the pancreas, liver, hypothalamus, small intestine and adipose tissue.

Corrigendum to "Angiogenesis in Pituitary Adenomas: Human Studies and New Mutant Mouse Models".

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1155/2014/608497.].

Epigenetic modifications in the GH-dependent Prlr, Hnf6, Cyp7b1, Adh1 and Cyp2a4 genes.

Many sex differences in liver gene expression originate in the brain, depend on GH secretion and may underlie sex disparities in hepatic disease. Because epigenetic mechanisms may contribute, we studied promoter methylation and microRNA abundance in the liver, associated with expression of sexual dimorphic genes in mice with selective disruption of the dopamine D2 receptor in neurons (neuroDrd2KO), which decreases hypothalamic Ghrh, pituitary GH, and serum IGFI and in neonatally androgenized female mice which have increased pituitary GH content and serum IGFI. We evaluated mRNA levels of the female predominant genes prolactin receptor (Prlr), alcohol dehydrogenase 1 (Adh1), Cyp2a4, and hepatocyte nuclear transcription factor 6 (Hnf6) and the male predominant gene, Cyp7b1.

Chronic high prolactin levels impact on gene expression at discrete hypothalamic nuclei involved in food intake.

To study the pathological effects of continuous hyperprolactinemia on food intake mechanisms we used female mice that lack dopamine D2 receptors in lactotropes (lacDrd2KO). These mice had lifelong hyperprolactinemia, increased food intake, and gradual development of obesity from 5 to 10 months of age. Ongoing endogenous prolactin signaling in lacDrd2KO mice was evidenced by increased basal phosphorylation of STAT5b in hypothalamic areas related to food intake, such as the arcuate (ARN), dorsomedial (DMN), and ventromedial nuclei.

The Notch system during pubertal development of the bovine mammary gland.

The development of the mammary gland of cows during pre-weaning and puberty will condition its future productive capacity and warrants special study. In this respect, Notch signaling regulates tissue development and fate by modifying cell proliferation and differentiation and has been involved in stem cell maintenance, but has not been extensively studied in the developing mammary glands in cows. We therefore investigated Notch receptor expression and localization, as well as the expression of Notch ligands and target genes in the mammary gland of Holstein heifers in pre- and post-pubertal stages.

Brain Control of Sexually Dimorphic Liver Function and Disease: The Endocrine Connection.

A multistep signaling cascade originates in brain centers that regulate hypothalamic growth hormone-releasing hormone (Ghrh) and somatostatin expression levels and release to control the pattern of GH secretion. This process is sexually fine-tuned, and relays important information to the liver where GH receptors can be found. The temporal pattern of pituitary GH secretion, which is sex-specific in many species (episodic in males and more stable in females), represents a major component in establishing and maintaining the sexual dimorphism of hepatic gene transcription.

Inhibition of Notch signaling attenuates pituitary adenoma growth in Nude mice.

Preclinical and clinical studies support that Notch signaling may play an important oncogenic role in cancer, but there is scarce information for pituitary tumors. We therefore undertook a functional study to evaluate Notch participation in pituitary adenoma growth. Tumors generated in Nude mice by subcutaneous GH3 somatolactotrope cell injection were treated in vivo with DAPT, a γ-secretase inhibitor, thus inactivating Notch signaling.

[Role of the enterocyte in type 2 diabetes mellitus associated dyslipidemia].

In type 2 diabetes mellitus there is an overproduction of chylomicron in the postprandial state that is associated with increased cardiovascular risk. Current evidence points out a leading role of enterocyte in dyslipidemia of type 2 diabetes mellitus, since it increases the production of apolipoprotein B-48 in response to a raise in plasma free fatty acids and glucose. The chylomicron metabolism is regulated by many factors apart from ingested fat, including hormonal and metabolic elements.

Notch system is differentially expressed and activated in pituitary adenomas of distinct histotype, tumor cell lines and normal pituitaries.

Pituitary adenomas are among the most frequent intracranial neoplasms and treatment depends on tumor subtype and clinical features. Unfortunately, non responder cases occur, then new molecular targets are needed. Notch system component expression and activation data are scarce in pituitary tumorigenesis, we therefore aimed to characterize Notch system in pituitary tumors of different histotype.

In situ provision of drinking water to grazing dairy cows improves milk production.

Aims: To determine the effect of providing water within the area grazed by dairy cows on milk yield and quality, compared to requiring cows to walk to a distant water trough, on a dairy farm in the Pampa region of Argentina during summer.

Methods: Holstein dairy cows were allocated to two herds with similar parity, days in milk and milk production. They were grazed in one paddock that was divided in two, with a fixed water trough at one end.

Chronic hyperprolactinemia evoked by disruption of lactotrope dopamine D2 receptors impacts on liver and adipocyte genes related to glucose and insulin balance.

We studied the impact of high prolactin titers on liver and adipocyte gene expression related to glucose and insulin homeostasis in correlation with obesity onset. To that end we used mutant female mice that selectively lack dopamine type 2 receptors (D2Rs) from pituitary lactotropes (lacDrd2KO), which have chronic high prolactin levels associated with increased body weight, marked increments in fat depots, adipocyte size, and serum lipids, and a metabolic phenotype that intensifies with age. LacDrd2KO mice of two developmental ages, 5 and 10 mo, were used.

Neuroendocrine Regulation of Metabolism.

Given the current environment in most developed countries, it is a challenge to maintain a good balance between calories consumed and calories burned, although maintenance of metabolic balance is key to good health. Therefore, understanding how metabolic regulation is achieved and how the dysregulation of metabolism affects health is an area of intense research. Most studies focus on the hypothalamus, which is a brain area that acts as a key regulator of metabolism.

Dopaminergic drugs in type 2 diabetes and glucose homeostasis.

The importance of dopamine in central nervous system function is well known, but its effects on glucose homeostasis and pancreatic β cell function are beginning to be unraveled. Mutant mice lacking dopamine type 2 receptors (D2R) are glucose intolerant and have abnormal insulin secretion. In humans, administration of neuroleptic drugs, which block dopamine receptors, may cause hyperinsulinemia, increased weight gain and glucose intolerance.