Perinatal exposure to octabromodiphenyl ether mixture, DE-79, alters the vasopressinergic system in adult rats.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are persistent environmental pollutants considered as neurotoxicants and endocrine disruptors with important biological effects ranging from alterations in growth, reproduction, and effects on the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis. The vasopressinergic (AVPergic) system is a known target for pentaBDEs mixture (DE-71) and the structurally similar chemicals, polychlorinated biphenyls. However, the potential adverse effects of mixtures containing octaBDE compounds, like DE-79, on the AVPergic system are still unknown.

Accumbal TRH is downstream of the effects of isolation stress on hedonic food intake in rats.

Emotional stress, through elevating corticosterone (CORT) levels may reduce feeding in rodents however when offered palatable food, stressed animals ingest more food compared to non-stressed controls. Nucleus accumbens (NAc) is part of the mesocorticolimbic system and participates in processing rewarding characteristics of food modulating palatable food intake, mainly when glucocorticoids are elevated. A possible mediator of CORT effects is accumbal thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH), which reduces chow intake in rats when administered into the NAc.

The nociceptin/orphanin FQ-like opioid peptide in nervous periesophageal ganglia of land snail Helix aspersa.

The neuropeptide nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) and its receptor are members of the endogenous opioid peptide family. In mammals N/OFQ modulates a variety of biological functions such as nociception, food intake, endocrine, control of neurotransmitter release, among others. In the molluscs Cepea nemoralis and Helix aspersa the administration of N/OFQ produces a thermopronociceptive effect.

Expression of the dopaminergic D1 and D2 receptors in the anterior cingulate cortex in a model of neuropathic pain.

Background: The anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) has been related to the affective component of pain. Dopaminergic mesocortical circuits, including the ACC, are able to inhibit neuropathic nociception measured as autotomy behaviour. We determined the changes in dopamine D1 and D2 (D1R and D2R) receptor expression in the ACC (cg1 and cg2) in an animal model of neuropathic pain.

Inflammatory nociception diminishes dopamine release and increases dopamine D2 receptor mRNA in the rat's insular cortex.

Background: The insular cortex (IC) receives somatosensory afferent input and has been related to nociceptive input. It has dopaminergic terminals and D1 (D1R) -excitatory- and D2 (D2R) -inhibitory- receptors. D2R activation with a selective agonist, as well as D1R blockade with antagonists in the IC, diminish neuropathic nociception in a nerve transection model.

Expression of muscarinic M1 and M2 receptors in the anterior cingulate cortex associated with neuropathic pain.

The anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and muscarinic receptors modulate pain. This study investigates changes in the expression of muscarinic-1 and -2 receptors (M1R, M2R) in rats' ACC (cg1-rostral- and cg2-caudal) using a model of neuropathic pain by denervation, measured as autotomy score (AS) for 8 days. Changes were analysed with painful stimuli and with scopolamine into the ACC prior to this scheme.

Involvement of CRH-R2 receptor in eating behavior and in the response of the HPT axis in rats subjected to dehydration-induced anorexia.

Wistar rats subjected to dehydration-induced anorexia (DIA), with 2.5% NaCl solution as drinking water for 7 days, decrease by 80% their food intake and present some changes common to pair-fed food restricted rats (FFR) such as: weight loss, decreased serum leptin and expression of orexigenic arcuate peptides, increasing the anorexigenic ones and serum corticosterone levels. In contrast, the response of the HPT axis differs: DIA animals have increased TRH expression in PVN and present primary as opposed to the tertiary hypothyroidism of the FFR.