Topography of the GLP-1/GLP-1 receptor system in the spinal cord of male mice.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonists are now commonly used to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity. GLP-1R signaling in the spinal cord has been suggested to account for the mild tachycardia caused by GLP-1R agonists, and may also be involved in the therapeutic effects of these drugs. However, the neuroanatomy of the GLP-1/GLP-1R system in the spinal cord is still poorly understood.

Unique, Specific CART Receptor-Independent Regulatory Mechanism of CART(55-102) Peptide in Spinal Nociceptive Transmission and Its Relation to Dipeptidyl-Peptidase 4 (DDP4).

Cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART) peptides are involved in several physiological and pathological processes, but their mechanism of action is unrevealed due to the lack of identified receptor(s). We provided evidence for the antihyperalgesic effect of CART(55-102) by inhibiting dipeptidyl-peptidase 4 (DPP4) in astrocytes and consequently reducing neuroinflammation in the rat spinal dorsal horn in a carrageenan-evoked inflammation model. Both naturally occurring CART(55-102) and CART(62-102) peptides are present in the spinal cord.

Chemical characterization of pineal neurons in perinatal rats.

Ample evidence indicates that in several mammalian species the pineal body contains neurons. In adult white albino rats neurons are not present in the pineal body; however, in perinatal rats many neurons were described. It was demonstrated that in adult mammalian species the pineal neurons contained some neuropeptides and neurotransmitters such as leu-enkephalin, met-enkephalin, substance-P, somatostatin and γ-aminobutiric acid.

Pinealocytes can not transport neurotropic viruses. Pinealo-to-retinal connection in prepubertal rats originates from pineal neurons: Light and electron microscopic immunohistochemical studies.

It is well established that the adult mammalian pineal body (PB), with the exception of rodents, contains nerve cell bodies. Based on our previous results we have proposed that there is a pinealo-to-retinal neuronal connection in adult hamsters and in prebubertal rats. By the time the animals reached puberty, labeled cells in the PB were not observed in rats.

Similarity and dissimilarity in antinociceptive effects of dipeptidyl-peptidase 4 inhibitors, Diprotin A and vildagliptin in rat inflammatory pain models following spinal administration.

Dipeptidyl-peptidase 4 (DPP4) enzyme is involved in the degradation of many biologically active peptides including opioids. Its role in pain transmission is poorly elucidated. Recently we reported on the spinal antihyperalgesic effects of DPP4 inhibitors, Ile-Pro-Ile (Diprotin A) and vildagliptin in carrageenan-evoked acute inflammatory pain in rats.