Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2004. / Title from first page of PDF file. Document formatted into pages; contains xvi, 231 p.; also includes graphics Includes bibliographical references (p. 211-231). Available online via OhioLINK's ETD Center

Thesis (Ph.D.) - University of Queensland, 2004. / Includes bibliography.

Orientador: Flávio Ruas de Moraes / Coorientador: Julieta Rodini Egracia de Moraes / Coorientador: Cleni Mara Marzocchi-Machado / Banca: Aureo Evangelista Santana / Banca: Rogério Salvador / Banca: Luiz Lehmann Coutinho / Banca: Antonio Vicente Mundim / Resumo: A patogenia da sepse envolve múltiplas inter-relações na dinâmica entre os diversos componentes relacionados ao hospedeiro e ao patógeno, com altas taxas de mortalidade em várias espécies animais. Embora seja uma das principais causas de mortalidade de peixes, há escassez de literatura sobre seus fenômenos fisiopatológicos e em seus mecanismos de modulação. Assim, neste trabalho, objetivou-se estudar os aspectos fisiopatológicos da evolução da reposta séptica induzida por Aeromonas hydrophila em Piaractus mesopotamicus - pacus. O inóculo utilizada foi determinada pela DL50 (DL50-96h) e estimada em 1,78 x 109. A sepse foi induzida pela inoculação na cavidade celomática e seguiram-se as coletas de sangue nos tempos pré-determinados de 1, 3, 6 e 9 horas após indução e o grupo controle. Verificou-se rápido aumento da cortisolemia com inibição da absorção de glicose, seguido de hipocortisolemia e hiperglicemia. Os hormônios da tireoide, apresentando diminuição imediata de suas concentrações séricas T3 e T4. Este último apresentou aumento 6 HPI. As alterações hormonais induzidas pela sepse desencadearam alterações nas vias metabólicas com aumento do catabolismo protéico e lipídico, utilização da via da glicólise anaeróbica transitória e lesão hepática. O leucograma demonstrou leucopenia e trombocitopenia seguido de cessar da quimiotaxia dos leucócitos após 6 HPI e graves alterações morfológicas em leucócitos e eritrócitos. As variáveis do sistema imune inato apresentaram aumento da produção de EROs 3 HPI, seguido de diminuição, sem alteração da concentração da lisozima sérica e progressivo aumento do ALS e AAB. Após inoculação ip. de A. hydrophila, foram evidenciados sinais clínicos de aeromonose, bacteremia crescente e sobrevida de 57,14 % depois 36 HPI / Abstract: The pathogenesis of sepsis involves multiple interrelationships in the dynamics between various components related to the host and the pathogen, with high mortality rates in several animal species. Although it is a major cause of fish deaths, there is lack of literature about its physiopathology and the mechanisms of modulation. This work aimed to study the physiopathological aspects of the evolution of the septic response induced by Aeromonas hydrophila in Piaractus mesopotamicus - pacu. The dose was determined by the LD50 (LD50-96h) and estimated in 1,78 x 109. Sepsis was induced by the administration in the coelomic cavity and was followed by the collection of blood in the pre-determined times of 1, 3, 6, and 9 hours after induction and more control. There was a rapid increase of cortisol concentration in plasma, inhibition of glucose uptake, followed by hypocortisolemia and hyperglycemia. Thyroid hormones have immediate reduction of serum concentration of T3 and T4. The latter showed an increase after 6 HPI. Hormonal changes induced by sepsis-triggered changes in metabolic pathways enhancing protein and lipid catabolism, use of transient anaerobic glycolysis via and liver damage. The leucocyte count showed leukopenia and thrombopenia followed by cessation of leukocyte migration after 6 HPI and severe morphological changes in leukocytes and erythrocytes. The innate immune variables showed increased production of ROS after 3 HPI, followed by reduction without changing the concentration of serum lysozyme and progressive increase in SHA and ABA. After ip inoculation of A. hydrophila in pacu, clinical signs were evident of Aeromonas infection, growing bacteremia and survival of 57,14 % after 36 HPI / Doutor

Made available in DSpace on 2015-10-06T13:02:55Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2015-06-30. Added 1 bitstream(s) on 2015-10-06T13:19:18Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 000849627.pdf: 553636 bytes, checksum: 5dfc24590b221b9994b1d94923ed02d2 (MD5) / A patogenia da sepse envolve múltiplas inter-relações na dinâmica entre os diversos componentes relacionados ao hospedeiro e ao patógeno, com altas taxas de mortalidade em várias espécies animais. Embora seja uma das principais causas de mortalidade de peixes, há escassez de literatura sobre seus fenômenos fisiopatológicos e em seus mecanismos de modulação. Assim, neste trabalho, objetivou-se estudar os aspectos fisiopatológicos da evolução da reposta séptica induzida por Aeromonas hydrophila em Piaractus mesopotamicus - pacus. O inóculo utilizada foi determinada pela DL50 (DL50-96h) e estimada em 1,78 x 109. A sepse foi induzida pela inoculação na cavidade celomática e seguiram-se as coletas de sangue nos tempos pré-determinados de 1, 3, 6 e 9 horas após indução e o grupo controle. Verificou-se rápido aumento da cortisolemia com inibição da absorção de glicose, seguido de hipocortisolemia e hiperglicemia. Os hormônios da tireoide, apresentando diminuição imediata de suas concentrações séricas T3 e T4. Este último apresentou aumento 6 HPI. As alterações hormonais induzidas pela sepse desencadearam alterações nas vias metabólicas com aumento do catabolismo protéico e lipídico, utilização da via da glicólise anaeróbica transitória e lesão hepática. O leucograma demonstrou leucopenia e trombocitopenia seguido de cessar da quimiotaxia dos leucócitos após 6 HPI e graves alterações morfológicas em leucócitos e eritrócitos. As variáveis do sistema imune inato apresentaram aumento da produção de EROs 3 HPI, seguido de diminuição, sem alteração da concentração da lisozima sérica e progressivo aumento do ALS e AAB. Após inoculação ip. de A. hydrophila, foram evidenciados sinais clínicos de aeromonose, bacteremia crescente e sobrevida de 57,14 % depois 36 HPI / The pathogenesis of sepsis involves multiple interrelationships in the dynamics between various components related to the host and the pathogen, with high mortality rates in several animal species. Although it is a major cause of fish deaths, there is lack of literature about its physiopathology and the mechanisms of modulation. This work aimed to study the physiopathological aspects of the evolution of the septic response induced by Aeromonas hydrophila in Piaractus mesopotamicus - pacu. The dose was determined by the LD50 (LD50-96h) and estimated in 1,78 x 109. Sepsis was induced by the administration in the coelomic cavity and was followed by the collection of blood in the pre-determined times of 1, 3, 6, and 9 hours after induction and more control. There was a rapid increase of cortisol concentration in plasma, inhibition of glucose uptake, followed by hypocortisolemia and hyperglycemia. Thyroid hormones have immediate reduction of serum concentration of T3 and T4. The latter showed an increase after 6 HPI. Hormonal changes induced by sepsis-triggered changes in metabolic pathways enhancing protein and lipid catabolism, use of transient anaerobic glycolysis via and liver damage. The leucocyte count showed leukopenia and thrombopenia followed by cessation of leukocyte migration after 6 HPI and severe morphological changes in leukocytes and erythrocytes. The innate immune variables showed increased production of ROS after 3 HPI, followed by reduction without changing the concentration of serum lysozyme and progressive increase in SHA and ABA. After ip inoculation of A. hydrophila in pacu, clinical signs were evident of Aeromonas infection, growing bacteremia and survival of 57,14 % after 36 HPI

Ghréline et obestatine sont deux hormones isolées à partir du tractus gastro-intestinal et issues du clivage protéolytique du même précurseur : la préproghréline. La ghréline est un peptide de 28 acides aminés qui subit une acylation sur sa sérine en position 3 lui permettant de se lier au récepteur des GH sécrétagogues (GHS-R). Ainsi la ghréline stimule la sécrétion de l’hormone de croissance (GH), hormone ayant également un rôle dans la modulation du métabolisme énergétique. En plus de son rôle en faveur de la sécrétion de GH, la ghréline est le seul peptide orexigène du tractus gastro-intestinal et un puissant facteur adipogène. L’obestatine isolée plus récemment à partir du tractus gastro-intestinal a été initialement décrite comme ayant un rôle anorexigène mais les données physiologiques concernant le rôle de ce peptide sont rapidement devenues contradictoires. Parallèlement, des données issues du laboratoire ont montré que l’obestatine avait une action antagoniste des effets de la ghréline exogène sur la sécrétion de GH et la prise alimentaire chez le rongeur mais que cette interaction n’avait pas lieu au niveau hypophysaire. Ainsi, nous avons émis l’hypothèse selon laquelle une interaction au niveau central entre la ghréline et l’obestatine est nécessaire au maintien de l’homéostasie des systèmes neuroendocrines contrôlant la croissance, la composition corporelle et la balance énergétique chez l’adulte. Dans un premier temps, il était nécessaire de déterminer le lieu de l’interaction entre ces deux peptides. Nous nous sommes donc intéressés aux neurones à NPY et GHRH du noyau arqué de l’hypothalamus (ArcN) qui expriment le GHS-R et sont la cible de la ghréline pour ses actions sur la prise alimentaire et la sécrétion de GH. Nos résultats montrent que l’obestatine et un variant naturel, l’obestatine Q90L, retrouvé parmi les patientes anorexiques à indice de masse corporelle (IMC) bas, ont un effet antagoniste sur la sécrétion de GH, la prise alimentaire et l’activité neuronale induites par la ghréline au niveau des neurones à NPY et GHRH de l’ArcN chez la souris. Une grande variabilité interindividuelle en réponse à la ghréline est observée et les effets antagonistes de l’obestatine ne sont visibles que chez les souris qui répondent bien à la ghréline, ce qui pourrait expliquer pourquoi les effets de l’obestatine ont été difficiles à caractériser jusqu’à présent.Afin de déterminer le rôle de la balance ghréline/obestatine dans le contrôle de la sécrétion de GH et la prise alimentaire, nous avons tiré parti de souris déficientes pour le gène de la préproghréline (ghrl-/-) qui n’expriment ni ghréline ni obestatine et chez lesquelles les deux peptides peuvent être remplacés pour en étudier l’impact. En effet, les ratios ghréline/obestatine sont modifiés dans plusieurs pathologies associées à des déséquilibres de la balance énergétique et de l’axe GH/IGF-1 mais l’impact physiologique de ces ratios déséquilibrés n’est pas connu. Nous avons, tout d’abord, caractérisé l’axe GH/IGF-1 ainsi que le comportement alimentaire chez les souris ghrl-/- et montré qu’elles n’avaient pas de phénotype permettant de les différencier des souris sauvages en ce qui concerne la taille, le poids ou encore le comportement alimentaire. Ces données sont en accord avec d’autres modèles de souris ghrl-/- déjà décrits au moment de notre étude. Néanmoins, nous observons que l’amplitude des pics sécrétoires de GH des souris ghrl-/- jeunes adultes (7 semaines) est réduite comparée à celle des souris sauvages du même âge. Plus âgées (36 semaines), ces souris retrouvent des profils de sécrétion de GH identiques à ceux des souris sauvages, soulignant un rôle de la ghréline endogène en période de croissance. / Role of peptides derived from preproghrelin in the control of GH secretion and feeding behavior

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Two distinct nonapeptide systems, consisting of the vasotocin- and oxytocin-related peptides have evolved in vertebrates, and their role in male reproduction is well-described in mammals. In contrast, their comparative role in reproduction in basal vertebrate species, and teleost fishes in particular, has not been investigated in great detail. Using two cyprinid species, the zebrafish (D. rerio) and the goldfish (C. auratus), I address the hypothesis that the teleost nonapeptides vasotocin and isotocin stimulate male cyprinid reproductive physiology by affecting central neuronal and/or peripheral endocrine pathways. To test this hypothesis in zebrafish, an indeterminate breeder, I conducted pharmacological inhibition experiments employing vasotocin and isotocin-specific antagonists in males, a treatment predicted to inhibit reproductive success in mating trials. Because nonapeptides can act both as central peptide neuromodulators and as secreted hormone, I further quantified indices of male courtship behavior (nudging, circling and chasing) and major androgens (testosterone and 11-keto-testosterone) as key endocrine indices of the male reproductive axis. Together, these experiments revealed a dose-dependent, differential inhibition of spawning success, with significant reductions (-65%) in egg fertilization rate observed in pairs in which males had been i.p. injected with 5 ng/g vasotocin and significant reductions (-79%) observed at 500 ng/g i.p injected isotocin. In either case, these partial inhibitions of reproductive success were correlated with significant decreases in specific indices of male courtship behavior, but not endocrine indices, suggesting that individual nonapeptides mediate their effects via central modulation of behavioural neurocircuits. Interestingly, a co-administration of vasotocin and isotocin antagonists completely abolished reproductive success, however this effect was neither correlated with decreases in male courtship behavior, nor endocrine indices, suggesting a separate mode of action, possibly at the level of male pheromone release. To further probe the role of nonapeptides in male zebrafish reproduction, I subsequently tested the hypothesis that nonapeptide systems are acutely activated by key reproductive cues, specifically the releaser pheromone PGF2α, which serves as a chemoattractant and acutely stimulates male reproductive behavior in male cyprinids. Using a chemoattractant choice assay in conjunction with immunohistochemistry and gene expression approaches, I determined whether male zebrafish are attracted to pheromonal cues and acutely activate isotocinergic neurons in the short term and/or regulate nonapeptide gene expression in the longer term. My results show that individual male zebrafish are attracted to PGF2α in an acute choice test. Furthermore, an increase in p-ERK immunoreactivity, a marker of neuronal activation, was observed in the olfactory bulb 10 min following exposure, suggesting a specific response to the pheromone compared to EtOH vehicle. However, no co-localization of p-ERK and IT-positive perikarya was observed in the preoptic area (POA), refuting the hypothesis that PGF2α exposure acutely activates isotocinergic neurons in zebrafish. Analysis of whole brain relative mRNA transcript abundance revealed that PGF2α exposure time-dependently regulates whole brain isotocin, but not vasotocin transcript abundance, suggesting secondary longer-term effects of PGF2α exposure on the isotocinergic system. Using an analogous experimental approach, I further tested the hypothesis that nonapeptides stimulate male reproductive physiology in goldfish, a determinate breeder. Sexually mature male goldfish pretreated with saline or vasotocin or isotocin antagonists were exposed to saline or PGF2α-injected stimulus females and male courtship behavior (chasing, circling), endocrine indices (circulating testosterone) and milt release were quantified. Both nonapeptide antagonists reduced strippable male milt quantity in response to PGF2α-injected females, suggesting a neuronal or hormonal action of both nonapeptides on goldfish milt release. Together, I show that nonapeptides contribute to male reproductive physiology in two species of cyprinids with different reproductive tactics. However, the mode of action may differ from one species to another, with evidence suggesting that nonapeptides play a role in the regulation of reproductive behavior and, possibly, male pheromone, release in zebrafish, while effects on male goldfish seem to be exclusively related to the release of milt. Future studies should compare other teleost species with specific reproductive biology and focus on the gonadal roles of nonapeptides in sperm maturation and/or release.

The gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons are the final output neurons of a complex neuronal network that controls fertility in all mammals. The GnRH neurons reside in a scattered continuum throughout the anterior hypothalamus. The majority of GnRH neurons project an axon to the median eminence where GnRH is secreted into the hypophyseal-pituitary portal vessels from whence it travels to the anterior pituitary gland. GnRH acts on the gonadotrophs of the anterior pituitary gland to cause the secretion of luteinising hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) into the peripheral circulation. LH and FSH act on the gonads to control gametogenesis and steroidogenesis. This thesis focuses on two unanswered questions in reproductive neurobiology that are fundamental to fertility 1) how the GnRH neurons become activated at puberty to produce patterned GnRH secretion and 2) the nature of the positive feedback mechanism that drives the preovulatory GnRH and LH surges. Recently, a novel neuropeptide called kisspeptin and its G-protein coupled receptor GPR-54 were found to be essential for pubertal activation of GnRH neurons, with GPR-54 mutation or deletion resulting in failed puberty and infertility in humans and mice. In addition, kisspeptin administration potently stimulates GnRH neuron-mediated gonadotropin secretion and advances the onset of pubertal maturation suggesting an important role for kisspeptin in the activation and perhaps post-pubertal modulation of GnRH neurons. In this thesis I have used immunocytochemical, whole animal manipulations and knockout mouse approaches to investigate the role of kisspeptin in both the activation of GnRH neurons at puberty and in the estrogen positive feedback mechanism in the mouse. I have demonstrated that kisspeptin neurons are located principally in the rostral periventricular area of the third ventricle (RP3V) and the arcuate nucleus (ARN), which are both known to be important areas for the modulation of GnRH neuronal activity. Kisspeptin fibres are found in abundance throughout the hypothalamus, but of particular interest are the kisspeptin fibres found in close apposition with a subset of GnRH neurons in the rostral preoptic area (rPOA). The kisspeptin neurons in the RP3V are sexually dimorphic with up to ten times more neurons in the female than the male. The number of kisspeptin neurons in the RP3V increases throughout pubertal development reaching adult levels at the time of puberty in both males and females. In concert with the increase in the number of kisspeptin neurons in the RP3V there is an increase in the percentage of GnRH neurons in the rPOA which exhibited a close apposition with a kisspeptin fibre indicating that kisspeptin neurons may target GnRH neurons to activate them at puberty. Additionally, I demonstrate that the increase in the number of neurons in the RP3V of the female mouse approaching puberty is driven by estrogen secreted from the ovary. A significant number of kisspeptin neurons in the RP3V were shown to express tyrosine hydroxylase (TH). The number and percentage of kisspeptin cells colocalised with TH cells in the RP3V did not change throughout the estrous cycle. Some colocalisation of kisspeptin and TH was observed at terminal appositions with GnRH neurons in the rPOA, though the magnitude of colocalisation also did not change throughout the estrous cycle. I demonstrate that RP3V kisspeptin neurons are a critical part of the estrogen positive feedback mechanism which drives the preovulatory GnRH and LH surges. Kisspeptin neurons in the RP3V express steroid receptors and are activated by estrogen positive feedback. Loss of kisspeptin-GPR-54 signalling prevents the GnRH neurons from being activated by estrogen positive feedback indicating that the RP3V kisspeptin neurons not only contribute to the estrogen positive feedback mechanism, but are a critical component of the mechanism. The results of these studies demonstrate that kisspeptin is an integral component in both the activation of GnRH neurons at puberty and in the estrogen positive feedback mechanism which drives the preovulatory GnRH and LH surges. Therefore, kisspeptin plays an important role in the neuroendocrine control of reproduction in the mouse.

Mood and cognition, along with numerous other physiological processes, are under circadian regulation. The synthesis and secretion rhythm of the pineal hormone melatonin is under the direct regulation of the central circadian pacemaker and the secretion rhythm of melatonin can be used to assess circadian alterations. In this thesis, it was demonstrated that low levels of endogenous nocturnal melatonin was associated with subsyndromal depression and alterations in sleep architecture. Studies in individuals with endogenous circadian rhythm disorder, with and without comorbid depressive symptoms, revealed that individuals with depressive symptoms had a greater phase delay in melatonin profiles as compared to individuals without depressive symptoms. Furthermore, in the same study, exogenous melatonin administered to induce phase advances significantly improved depression scores and sleep initiation. In addition to endogenous circadian disruption, circadian rhythms can also be disrupted by repeated atypical alterations in environmental time cues. In mammals, light is the strongest environmental cue that can modulate circadian rhythms. Recent studies suggest that circadian response to photic stimuli is preferentially sensitive to short wavelengths in the range of 450-480 nm. Using an animal model it was demonstrated that filtering a 10 nm bandwidth between 470-480 nm from polychromatic white light prevents nocturnal light exposure induced disruptions in melatonin and corticosterone secretion as well as central and peripheral clock gene expression. These findings were further investigated in humans and revealed that filtering short wavelengths below 480 nm attenuates 12 h nocturnal light exposure induced suppression of melatonin secretion, increased cortisol secretion and disrupted peripheral clock gene expression. Furthermore, attenuation of these changes was associated with improvements in mood, alertness and vigilance at a time close to the endogenous circadian wake drive. However, filtering short wavelengths below 460 nm or reducing the optical transmission by up to 30% below 480 nm did not attenuate the disruptive effects of nocturnal light exposure on physiological and behavioural variables. Overall, the results presented in this thesis support the role of circadian dysfunction in neuropsychometric impairment and presents evidence supporting spectral modulation as a promising approach to attenuate light-mediated chronodisruption.