Neonatal treatment with para-chlorophenylalanine (pCPA) induces adolescent hyperactivity associated with changes in the paraventricular nucleus Crh and Trh expressions.

Disruption of the brain serotoninergic (5-HT) system during development induces long-lasting changes in molecular profile, cytoarchitecture, and function of neurons, impacting behavioral regulation throughout life. In male and female rats, we investigate the effect of neonatal tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH) inhibition by using para-chlorophenylalanine (pCPA) on the expression of 5-HTergic system components and neuropeptides related to adolescent social play behavior regulation. We observed sex-dependent 5-HT levels decrease after pCPA-treatment in the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) at 17 and 35 days.

Ghrelin Action in the PVH of Male Mice: Accessibility, Neuronal Targets, and CRH Neurons Activation.

The hormone ghrelin displays several well-characterized functions, including some with pharmaceutical interest. The receptor for ghrelin, the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR), is expressed in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVH), a critical hub for the integration of metabolic, neuroendocrine, autonomic, and behavioral functions. Here, we performed a neuroanatomical and functional characterization of the neuronal types mediating ghrelin actions in the PVH of male mice.

Fasting increases circulating angiotensin levels and brain Agtr1a expression in male rats.

In addition to being recognised for involvement in cardiovascular control and hydromineral balance, the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) has also been associated with the neuroendocrine control of energy balance. One of the main brain sites for angiotensin II (ANG II)/type 1 receptor (AT R) signalling is the subfornical organ (SFO), a circumventricular organ related to the control of autonomic functions, motivated behaviours and energy metabolism. Thus, we hypothesised that circulating ANG II may act on the SFO AT R receptors to integrate metabolic and hydromineral balance.

Subacute high-refined carbohydrate diet leads to abnormal reproductive control of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis in female rats.

We previously reported that female rats placed on a diet containing refined carbohydrates (HCD) resulted in obesity and reproductive abnormalities, such as high serum LH concentration and abnormal ovarian function. However, the impacts at the hypothalamic-pituitary (HP) function, specifically regarding pathways linked to reproductive axis modulation are unknown. In this study, we assessed whether subacute feeding with HCD results in abnormal reproductive control in the HP axis.

Intermittent fasting combined with exercise training reduces body mass and alleviates hypothalamic disorders induced by high-fat diet intake.

High-fat diet consumption causes hypothalamic inflammation, dysregulating the leptin pathway, which, in turn, compromises the modulation of hypothalamic neuronal activities and predisposes obesity development. Intermittent fasting (IF) and exercise training (ET) have been demonstrated as efficient interventions to modulate hypothalamic inflammation and neuronal activity. However, no studies have evaluated whether combining these interventions could induce better results in reestablishing hypothalamic homeostasis disrupted by high-fat diet intake.