Cholesterol secoaldehyde, an ozonation product of cholesterol, induces amyloid aggregation and apoptosis in murine GT1-7 hypothalamic neurons.

Aldehydic products from ozonation of cholesterol and peroxidation of phospholipids have been shown to accelerate aggregation of amyloid-beta (Abeta) in vitro. Here, we show that 3beta-hydroxy-5-oxo-5,6-secocholestan-6-al (ChSeco), an ozonation product of cholesterol, induces Abeta aggregation, generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and cytotoxicity in murine GT1-7 hypothalamic neurons. The formation of Abeta aggregates in situ was dose-dependent at ChSeco concentrations ranging from 1 to 20 microM.

Amino acids inhibit Agrp gene expression via an mTOR-dependent mechanism.

Metabolic fuels act on hypothalamic neurons to regulate feeding behavior and energy homeostasis, but the signaling mechanisms mediating these effects are not fully clear. Rats placed on a low-protein diet (10% of calories) exhibited increased food intake (P < 0.05) and hypothalamic Agouti-related protein (Agrp) gene expression (P = 0.

Peptide YY and proglucagon mRNA expression patterns and regulation in the gut.

Objective: Peptide YY (PYY) and glucagon-like peptide-1 are important in the control of energy homeostasis and are both secreted from the gut in response to ingested nutrients. However, more studies are needed on nutrient regulation of their gene expression patterns in specific areas of the gut. This study detailed PYY and proglucagon (the gene that encodes glucagon-like peptide-1) gene expression patterns and regulation in the gut.

Role of neuronal energy status in the regulation of adenosine 5'-monophosphate-activated protein kinase, orexigenic neuropeptides expression, and feeding behavior.

Nutrient sensing in the hypothalamus is tightly related to food intake regulation. However, the mechanisms by which the nutrient-sensing cells of the brain translate this signal of energy need into feeding behavior via regulation of neuropeptide expression are not known. To address this issue, we investigated two neuronal cell lines expressing agouti-related protein (AgRP), ex vivo hypothalamic tissues, and in vivo whole animals.

Expression levels of genes likely involved in glucose-sensing in the obese Zucker rat brain.

It has been suggested that certain cells in the brain, like pancreatic beta-cells, use glucose transporter-2 (GLUT-2), glucokinase and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) to sense glucose in the service of multiple aspects of energy balance. The obese Zucker rat displays numerous disturbances in energy homeostasis and may provide a model of dysfunctional expression of genes related to nutrient control systems. Using real-time RT-PCR we measured gene expression for three of the pancreatic glucose-sensing markers and neuropeptide Y (NPY) in the medial, lateral hypothalamus and hindbrain of lean and obese Zucker rats of both genders.

Short-term food restriction and refeeding alter expression of genes likely involved in brain glucosensing.

Several genes involved in glucosensing of the endocrine pancreas have been proposed to serve a similar function in the brain. These genes include the glucose transporter-2 (Glut-2) and glucokinase (GK). In addition, the glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor, which serves as a downstream signal modulator in pancreatic glucosensing and centrally alters feeding, is also of interest.

Distribution of glucokinase, glucose transporter GLUT2, sulfonylurea receptor-1, glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor and neuropeptide Y messenger RNAs in rat brain by quantitative real time RT-PCR.

Glucokinase (GK), glucose transporter GLUT2, sulfonylurea receptor-1 (SUR1), glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) and neuropeptide Y (NPY) have been proposed to be involved in central glucose sensing or regulation of food intake. In this study, we combined tissue micropunch and real time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and measured GK, GLUT2, SUR1, GLP-1R and NPY mRNA expression in discrete areas in the hypothalamus and the hindbrain.