Drug dependence is a serious and increasing problem in our society, especially among adolescents. The use of the large variety of substances available can result in a range of physiological and psychological adverse effects on individuals and negative consequences on the society overall. Several different types of drugs induce neurotoxicological damages, which in turn can generate impairment in for example the reward system and affect cognitive parameters.  The drug gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) is usually considered a harmless compound among abusers, but has now shown to be highly addictive. Furthermore, GHB can cause memory impairments in both humans and animals. On the contrary, growth hormone (GH) and its main mediator insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) have recently been suggested to improve memory and learning in several studies. The hormones exhibit certain neuroprotective capabilities and have also previously been demonstrated to reverse opioid induced apoptosis in hippocampal cells. These effects and the fact that GHB is shown to increase GH secretion, which attracted considerable attention among body builders, led us to initiate studies on GHB and its impact on relevant systems in the central nervous system (CNS). Thus, the main purpose of the present investigation was to elucidate some of the underlying mechanisms that could account for the effects exerted by GH and GHB in the CNS. We found that a) GH affects the density and functionality of GABAB-receptors and opioid receptors in the male rat brain, b) GHB induces cognitive deficits and down-regulates GABAB-receptors, c) GHB treatment creates an imbalance between the endogenous opioids Met-enkaphalin-Arg6Phe7 (MEAP) and dynorphin B and increases the levels of MEAP in regions of the brain that are associated with drug dependence, and d) GHB affects the expression of IGF-1 receptors but not the plasma levels of IGF-1. In conclusion, the present work demonstrates that GH interacts with both opioid and GABAB-receptors in the male rat CNS and that GHB has an impact on brain regions associated with cognition and the development of dependence. These observations may be of relevance in many aspects related to addiction and might be translated into humans.

Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), a known secretory product of intestinal subepithelial myofibroblasts (ISEMF), is essential for the intestinotrophic effects of glucagon-like peptide-2(GLP-2). I hypothesized that GLP-2 increases the production of IGF-1 by primary murine ISEMF in culture. Immunocytochemistry showed that the ISEMF stained appropriately for α smooth muscle actin and vimentin but not for desmin. The ISEMF also expressed GLP-2 receptor and IGF-1 mRNA transcripts. ISEMF treated with GLP-2 revealed a maximal increase in IGF-1 mRNA transcript levels at 10-8 M GLP-2 and 2hr. Interestingly, immunoblotting revealed an increase in P-AKT/T-AKT with GLP-2, but no changes in cAMP, P-ERK/T-ERK or calcium were detected. PI3K inhibition and kinase-dead AKT over-expression abrogated GLP-2-induction of IGF-1 mRNA, and ISEMF from GLP-2R null mice demonstrated reductions in IGF-1 mRNA and cellular IGF-1, but not in media IGF-1, vs. wild-type ISEMF. These findings suggest a possible mechanism by which GLP-2 increases intestinal growth in-vivo.

Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), a known secretory product of intestinal subepithelial myofibroblasts (ISEMF), is essential for the intestinotrophic effects of glucagon-like peptide-2(GLP-2). I hypothesized that GLP-2 increases the production of IGF-1 by primary murine ISEMF in culture. Immunocytochemistry showed that the ISEMF stained appropriately for α smooth muscle actin and vimentin but not for desmin. The ISEMF also expressed GLP-2 receptor and IGF-1 mRNA transcripts. ISEMF treated with GLP-2 revealed a maximal increase in IGF-1 mRNA transcript levels at 10-8 M GLP-2 and 2hr. Interestingly, immunoblotting revealed an increase in P-AKT/T-AKT with GLP-2, but no changes in cAMP, P-ERK/T-ERK or calcium were detected. PI3K inhibition and kinase-dead AKT over-expression abrogated GLP-2-induction of IGF-1 mRNA, and ISEMF from GLP-2R null mice demonstrated reductions in IGF-1 mRNA and cellular IGF-1, but not in media IGF-1, vs. wild-type ISEMF. These findings suggest a possible mechanism by which GLP-2 increases intestinal growth in-vivo.

Articular cartilage which covers the surfaces of synovial joints is designed to allow smooth contact between long bones and to absorb shock induced during joint movement. Tissue engineering, a means of combining cells, biomaterials, bioreactors and bioactive agents to produce functional tissue replacements suitable for implantation, represents a potential long-term strategy for cartilage repair. The interplay between environmental factors, however, gives rise to complex culture conditions that influence the development of tissue-engineered constructs. A fibrous capsule that is composed of abundant type I collagen molecules and resembles fibrocartilage usually forms at the outer edge of neocartilage, yet the understanding of its modulation by environmental cues is still limited. Therefore, this dissertation was aimed to characterize the capsule formation, development and function through manipulation of biochemical parameters present in a hydrodynamic environment while a chemically reliable media preparation protocol for hydrodynamic cultivation of tissue-engineered cartilage was established. To this end, a novel wavy-wall bioreactor (WWB) that imparts turbulent flow-induced shear stress was employed as the model system and polyglycolic acid scaffolds seeded with bovine primary chondrocytes were cultivated under varied biochemical conditions. The results demonstrated that tissue morphology, biochemical composition and mechanical strength of hydrodynamically engineered cartilage were maintained as the serum content decreased by 80% (from 10% to 2%). Transient exposure of the low-serum constructs to exogenous insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) or transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) further accelerated their development in comparison with continuous treatment with the same bioactive molecules. The process of the capsule formation was found to be activated and modulated by the concentration of serum which contains soluble factors that are able to induce fibrotic processes and the capsule development was further promoted by fluid shear stress. Moreover, the capsule formation in hydrodynamic cultures was identified as a potential biphasic process in response to concentrations of fibrosis-promoting molecules such as TGF-β. Comparison between the capsule-containing and the capsule-free constructs, both of which had comparable tissue properties and were produced by utilizing the WWB system in combination with IGF-1 and TGF-β1, respectively, showed that the presence of the fibrous capsule at the construct periphery effectively improved the ability of engineered cartilage to integrate with native cartilage tissues, but evidently compromised its tissue homogeneity. Characterization of the fibrous capsule and elucidation of the conditions under which it is formed provide important insights for the development of tissue engineering strategies to fabricate clinically relevant cartilage tissue replacements that possess optimized tissue homogeneity and properties while retaining a minimal capsule thickness required to enhance tissue integration.

Os acrocórdones (AC) são fibromas cutâneos pedunculados, de 2 a 6mm, encontrados, mais frequentemente, nas áreas de dobras de pele. Aventa-se que a insulina ou fatores de crescimento de insulina símile (IGF-1) sejam implicados na etiopatogenia dos AC. Sendo assim, foi sugerida a associação dessas lesões com a resistência à insulina (RI). O peptídeo insulinotrópico dependente de glicose (GIP) é uma incretina com ação insulinotrópica e mostrou-se aumentado em pacientes obesos e diabéticos, porém nunca foi demonstrado na pele de pacientes com AC. O estudo da expressão tecidual de fatores de crescimento e incretinas na pele de pacientes com AC, confrontando com parâmetros de RI no sangue periférico, poderão vir a se tornar importantes ferramentas de investigação de em quais cenários clínicos os achados dermatológicos poderiam ou não implicar na necessidade de uma propedêutica laboratorial na detecção da RI. Os objetivos do estudo foram: Identificar a expressão do GIP e IGF-1 nas lesões de AC e na pele sã (sem lesões) dos mesmos pacientes, bem como na pele de pacientes sem acrocórdones (indivíduos controles) por meio de análises imunoistoquímicas, correlacionando esta expressão com o fenômeno de resistência a insulina. Foram estudados 57 pacientes com AC e comparou-se os resultados bioquímicos com grupo controle composto por 16 pacientes sem AC. Realizaram-se as reações imunoistoquímicas para o GIP e IGF-1 na pele de AC, na pele dos pacientes com AC em área não acometida por lesões e na pele controle remanescente de cirurgia plástica. Os resultados mostraram que os exames bioquímicos como glicemia, insulina, triglicerídeos e gama glutil aminotransferase (GGT) estavam aumentados no grupo com AC, bem como o índice HOMA-IR. A imunomarcação pelo IGF-1 não diferiu na pele dos 3 grupos, enquanto a imunomarcação do GIP na pele com AC foi maior que nor outros 2 grupos (controle e normal), com p<0.05. Quando o grupo de AC foi dividido em indivíduos com RI e sem RI, não houve diferença estatística na marcação do IGF-1, mas a marcação do GIP na epiderme foi menor nos pacientes que apresentavam RI / Acrochordons (AC) are pedunculated fibromas of the skin, 2 to 6mm found more often in areas of skin folds. It is suspected that insulin or insulin growth factor (IGF-1) are implicated in the pathogenesis of AC. Therefore, it was suggested that these lesions are associated with insulin resistance (IR). The glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide (GIP) is an incretin with insulinotropic action and was increased in obese and diabetic patients, but has never been demonstrated in the skin of patients with AC. The study of tissue growth factors and incretins in the skin of patients with AC, confronting with IR parameters in peripheral blood, are likely to become important research tools for in wich clinical scenarios the dermatological findings might or might not result in the need of laboratory methods for the detection of IR. The study objectives were: to identify the expression of IGF-1 and GIP in AC lesions and healthy skin (no injuries) from the same patients as well as in the skin of patients without acrochordons (control subjects) by immunohistochemical analysis, correlating this expression with the phenomenon of insulin resistance. We studied 57 patients with AC and compared the biochemical results with the control group consisted of 16 patients without AC. Immunohistochemistry for GIP and IGF-1 was performed in the skin of AC, in the skin of patients with AC in the area not affected by the skin lesions and in control skin group remaining plastic surgery. The results showed that the biochemical tests as blood glucose, insulin, triglycerides and gamma glutil aminotransferase (GGT) were higher in the group with AC, and the HOMA-IR index too. The IGF-1 expression did not differ in the skin of the 3 groups, whereas GIP expression of skin with normal AC was higher than the other 2 groups (control and normal), with p <0.05. When the AC group was divided into individuals with and without IR, there was no difference in IGF-1 marking, but the marking on the skin of GIP was lower in patients with IR

INTRODUÇÃO: Baixos níveis séricos de fator de crescimento insulin-like I (IGF- 1) ao nascimento têm sido considerados um fator de risco para o desenvolvimento da retinopatia da prematuridade em recém-nascidos prematuros de extremo baixo peso. Isto se deve ao seu papel como fator permissivo para o fator de crescimento endotelial vascular (VEGF) exercer sua função no desenvolvimento normal e patológico dos vasos da retina. OBJETIVO: Testar a hipótese de que a administração do JB-1 (um análogo do IGF-1 que inibe de forma potente a auto-fosforilação do receptor do IGF-1 pelo IGF-1) durante a hiperóxia previne a retinopatia induzida por oxigênio em nosso modelo experimental em ratos. MATERIAL E METODOS: Ratos recém-nascidos foram expostos a 50% de oxigênio com três episódios consecutivos de hipóxia (12% de oxigênio) do nascimento ao 14º dia de vida. Os ratos foram tratados com injeções subcutâneas de 1) JB-1 (1g/d) nos três primeiros dias de vida (JB-1 x3); 2) JB- 1(1g/d) por dias alternados do 1º ao 13º dias de vida (JB-1x7) 3) ou volume equivalente de solução salina. Grupos controles foram criados em ar ambiente nas mesmas condições, exceto pelo ciclo de hiperóxia/ hipóxia. Os grupos foram analisados após a exposição ao oxigênio no 14º dia de vida ou deixados em ar ambiente por mais sete dias até o sacrifício, no 21º dia de vida. Determinou-se as dosagens sistêmicas e oculares de fator de crescimento endotelial vascular (VEGF), receptor tipo1 solúvel do fator de crescimento endotelial vascular (sVEGFR-1) e fator de crescimento insulin-like I (IGF-1), associados a análise da vascularização retiniana e do perfil dos genes relacionados à angiogênese retiniana. RESULTADOS: O tratamento com JB-1x3 resultou em supressão efetiva da retinopatia induzida por oxigênio, sem efeitos adversos no crescimento somático e foi associado a um aumento do sVEGFR-1 quando comparado com o JB-1x7. Ao contrário, o tratamento com JB-1x7 durante a exposição ao oxigênio levou à diminuição do peso corpóreo e níveis mais altos de IGF-1 e VEGF relacionados à presença de tortuosidades vasculares e neovascularização retiniana, quando comparado com as retinas que receberam apenas solução salina. CONCLUSÃO: O tratamento curto e sistêmico com JB-1 durante a hiperóxia resultou em prevenção da retinopatia induzida por oxigênio sem restrição do crescimento somático. Novos estudos devem ser realizados para determinar se o JB-1 pode ser usado em recém-nascidos de extremo baixo peso na prevenção da retinopatia da prematuridade / INTRODUCTION: Low serum insulin growth factor (IGF-1) levels at birth is a risk factor for the development of retinopathy of prematurity in extremely low birth weight infants. This may be due to its role as a permissive factor for vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) function in normal and pathologic vascular development. OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that JB-1 (an IGF-1 analog that potently inhibits the autophosphorylation of the IGF-1 receptor by IGF-1) administration during hyperoxia prevents oxygen induced retinopathy in our rat model. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Neonatal rats were exposed to 50% oxygen with brief, clustered, hypoxic (12% oxygen) episodes from birth to day 14. The pups were treated with subcutaneus injections of 1) JB-1 (1g/d) on the first, second, and third day (JB-1x3) 2) JB1 (1g/d) on alternate days from first to day 13 (JB- 1x7); or equivalent volume of saline. Control littermates were raised in room air with all conditions identical except for inspired oxygen. Groups were analyzed after hyperoxia/hypoxia cycling on day 14 or allowed to recover in room air until the 21st day. Systemic and ocular VEGF, soluble VEGFR-1, and IGF-1; retinal vasculature and gene profile of retinal angiogenesis were assessed. RESULTS: JB-1x3 treatment resulted in successful suppression of oxygeninduced retinopathy with no adverse effect on anthropometric growth, which was associated with increased sVEGFR-1 compared to JB-1x7. In contrast, intermittent and long exposure to JB-1 (JB-1x7) during the hyperoxia/hypoxia cycling period resulted in decreased body weight and higher ocular IGF-1 and VEGF levels as well as vascular tortuosity and retinal neovascularization compared with saline treated retinas. CONCLUSION: Systemic treatment with JB-1 during hyperoxia results in successful prevention of oxygen-induced retinopathy with little adverse effects on anthropometric growth. Further confirmatory studies are needed to determine whether systemic JB-1 should be used in extremely low birth weight infants to prevent retinopathy of prematurity

The one-humped or the dromedarian camel is a pseudo-ruminant mammal, well adapted to the hot and dry climates of the desert. Its ability to withstand torrid heat and extreme desiccation is of paramount importance to its survival. The studies presented in this thesis were designed to investigate and document the effect of dehydration in the presence or absence of angiotensin II (Ang II) AT1 receptor blocker (losartan) on blood constituents, electrolytes, hormones, neurotransmitters as well as liver and kidney enzymes in a subset of dehydrated camels and to compare them with hydrated camels. Additionally, we studied the response of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and revealed for the first time the cardiac storage form of BNP in the camel heart. Dehydration induced significant increments in packed cell volume (PCV), white blood cells (WBC), gamma glutamyl-transferase (GGT), serum sodium, creatinine and urea levels, and a doubling in plasma cortisol and arginine vasopressin (AVP) levels. At the same time dehydration caused significant decrease in body weights, plasma insulin like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and its binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3), and a 50% decrement in ANP and BNP levels. Moreover, dehydration with and without losartan resulted in significant changes in stress hormones and anti-oxidants in plasma, liver and kidney homogenates. Losartan on one hand enhanced the effect of dehydration resulting in significant increases in sodium, creatinine and urea levels. In addition losartan raised the  binding affinity of Ang II AT2 receptors in the small intestine with 8-fold and with 16-fold for liver AT1 receptors, indicating that Ang II AT1 and AT2 receptor binding sites were present in camel's small intestine while only AT1 receptor binding sites were found in the camel liver. One the other hand losartan resulted in significant decrease in body weights impaired the rise in anti-diuretic hormone and reduced aldosterone level. Finally, we showed that the proBNP is the storage form of BNP in the camel heart.

京都大学 / 0048 / 新制・論文博士 / 博士(医学) / 乙第13362号 / 論医博第2204号 / 新制||医||1045(附属図書館) / 京都大学大学院医学研究科医学専攻 / (主査)教授 稲垣 暢也, 教授 渡邉 大, 教授 影山 龍一郎 / 学位規則第4条第2項該当 / Doctor of Medical Science / Kyoto University / DFAM

The growth of vertebrates is primarily regulated by the growth hormone-insulin-like growth factor (GH-IGF) system, but not in isolation. The central question of this dissertation was how do other hormones peripheral to the GH-IGF system interact with the system, including feedbacks by GH and IGF themselves on various tissues in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)? The representative hormones selected were thyroxine, cortisol, and the sex steroids testosterone and estrogen, along with GH and IGF. These hormones were chosen because they are known to affect overall growth and development during specific life events, but exactly what target genes and what mechanisms are involved are only at the early stages of being delineated in fish. Liver and gill tissues were selected as representative tissues to assess the in vitro effects on growth-related genes of the GH-IGF system. A total of more than thirty experiments were conducted, including time- and concentration-response, inhibitory studies, hormone combination studies, and radio-receptor binding assays. Hormones were applied to whole tissue cultures and real-time quantitative-PCR was used to measure hormonal effects on GHR, IGF, and IGFR1 genes. Microsomal preparations were treated with selected hormones and radio-labeled GH or IGF. A gamma counter was used to measure receptor-ligand activity. GH and IGF were found to possess autocrine and/or paracrine actions in self-regulating target growth genes. Thyroxine had no direct effects on targeted growth genes but may interact with other molecules or hormones to elicit its effects on growth and development. Cortisol directly influenced target growth genes in a tissue-specific and isoform-specific manner. Finally, sex steroids differentially regulated the growth genes: estradiol inhibited growth genes while testosterone directly stimulated growth genes. These findings contribute to understanding how hormones peripheral to the GH-IGF system interact with the growth system. / National Science Foundation grant IOS 0920116 to Dr. Mark Sheridan

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