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Neuropeptides 2019 Mar 6. Epub 2019 Mar 6.

Center for Integrative Physiology, Division of Integrative Physiology, Kansai Electric Power Medical Research Institute, Kobe 650-0047, Japan; Division of System Neuroscience, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe 650-0017, Japan; Division of Integrative Physiology, Department of Physiology, Jichi Medical University School of Medicine, Tochigi 320-0498, Japan; Pharmacological Department of Herbal Medicine, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical & Dental Sciences, Kagoshima 890-8544, Japan. Electronic address:

Reduced appetite or anorexia substantially deteriorates quality of life in various diseases including cancer, depression and heart failure. Furthermore, reduced appetite may stand upstream of sarcopenia and frailty. All these diseases are heavy burdens in the modern medicine and society. Read More

Neuropeptides 2019 Mar 20. Epub 2019 Mar 20.

Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an 710032, Shaanxi, China. Electronic address:

Previous studies have demonstrated that the activation of orexinergic neurons facilitates the recovery of animals from general anesthesia. Moreover, serotonergic neurons that receive projections from orexin neurons have also been shown to participate in sleep-wakefulness regulation. In the present study, we aimed to explore whether orexinergic neurons facilitate emergence from isoflurane anesthesia in rats by activating serotonergic neurons. Read More

Neuropeptides 2019 Mar 20. Epub 2019 Mar 20.

Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu 807-8555, Japan. Electronic address:

Neuropeptides 2019 Mar 20. Epub 2019 Mar 20.

Department of Pediatrics, The First Hospital of Qinhuangdao, Qinhuangdao, Hebei 066000, China.

The corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) related peptides system has widespread distributions in central nervous system, to perform many physiological and pathophysiological functions, including cardiovascular functions. A complex connection exists between the central CRF related peptides system and cardiovascular system. There are multiple pathways and mechanisms through which the central CRF related peptides system influences cardiovascular functions. Read More

Neuropeptides 2019 Mar 20. Epub 2019 Mar 20.

Department of Pathogen Biology, Medical College, Nantong University, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu, China. Electronic address:

Autophagy is a lysosomal degradation pathway that maintains tissue homeostasis by recycling damaged and aged cellular components, which plays important roles in development of the nervous system, as well as in neuronal function and survival. In addition, autophagy dysfunction underlies neuropathic pain. Thus, the modulation of autophagy can alleviate neuropathic pain. Read More

Neuropeptides 2019 Mar 14. Epub 2019 Mar 14.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Tokushima University Graduate School, 3-18-15 Kuramoto-Cho, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan.

Recent studies have shown that oxytocin reduces food intake and body weight gain and promotes lipolysis in some species, including humans. Interestingly, these effects of oxytocin are more marked in obese individuals. Although the menopausal loss of ovarian function induces increased visceral adiposity and some metabolic disorders, no safe medical interventions for these conditions have been established. Read More

Neuropeptides 2019 Apr 21;74:1-10. Epub 2019 Jan 21.

Department of Zoology, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Ganeshkhind Road, Pune 411 007, India. Electronic address:

Neuropeptide Y (NPY) is involved in sex-specific behavioural processes in vertebrates. NPY integrates energy balance and reproduction in mammals. However, the relevance of NPY in reproduction of lower vertebrates is understudied. Read More

Neuropeptides 2019 Feb 15. Epub 2019 Feb 15.

Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia, Poniatowskiego 15, 40-055 Katowice, Poland. Electronic address:

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are drugs of first choice in the therapy of moderate to severe depression and anxiety disorders. Their primary mechanism of action is via influence of the serotonergic (5-HT) system, but a growing amount of data provides evidence for other non-monoaminergic players in SSRI effects. It is assumed that neuropeptides, which play a role as neuromodulators in the CNS, are involved in their mechanism of action. Read More

Neuropeptides 2019 Apr 14;74:11-23. Epub 2019 Feb 14.

Laboratorio de Neurofarmacología, 105 C-FCQ BUAP, Puebla, Mexico. Electronic address:

Galectins are animal lectins that bind to β-galactosides, such as lactose and N-acetyllactosamine, contained in glycoproteins or glycolipids. Galectin-1 (Gal-1) and Galectin-3 (Gal-3) are involved in pathologies associated with the inflammatory process, cell proliferation, adhesion, migration, and apoptosis. Recent evidence has shown that the administration of Amyloid-β 25-35 (Aβ) into the hippocampus of rats increases the inflammatory response that is associated with memory impairment and neurodegeneration. Read More

Neuropeptides 2019 Apr 11;74:95-102. Epub 2019 Jan 11.

Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences, School of Neuroscience, USA; Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg 24061, VA, USA. Electronic address:

Central administration of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), a 41-amino acid peptide, is associated with potent anorexigenic effects in rodents and chickens. However, the mechanism underlying this effect remains unclear. Hence, the objective of the current study was to elucidate the hypothalamic mechanisms that mediate CRF-induced anorexia in 4 day-old Cobb-500 chicks. Read More

Neuropeptides 2019 Apr 1;74:82-87. Epub 2019 Feb 1.

Institute of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Life Sciences, Lanzhou University, 222 Tianshui South Road, Lanzhou 730000, China; Key Laboratory of Preclinical Study for New Drugs of Gansu Province, Lanzhou University, 222 Tianshui South Road, Lanzhou 730000, China. Electronic address:

Background: Chimeric opioid MCRT was a novel multi-target ligand based on morphiceptin and PFRTic-NH, and produced potent analgesia (ED = 0.03 nmol/mouse) with less upper gastrointestinal dysmotility. In this study, we sought to perform the tests to evaluate the pharmacological effects of MCRT on distal colon motility and defecation function. Read More

Neuropeptides 2019 Apr 23;74:24-33. Epub 2019 Jan 23.

Qingdao University, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong, Qingdao 266071, China. Electronic address:

Objective: Abnormal gastric acid secretion and gastric dyskinesia are common gastroenterological ailments. Our study aims to investigate the effect of orexin-A in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) gastric motility and gastric acid secretion.

Methods: The source of orexin-A neuronal projections to the PVN were explored by retrograde tracing and fluorescence immunohistochemistry experiments. Read More

Neuropeptides 2019 Apr 8;74:52-59. Epub 2019 Jan 8.

Cell Biology and Anatomy, School of Medicine, University of South Carolina, United States.

The neuropeptide substance P can induce degranulation of cardiac mast cells at high concentrations. Herein, we seek to further understand substance P activation of cardiac mast cells in the context of other neuropeptides as well as modulation by non-neuropeptides. This is important given the increasingly recognized role of both cardiac mast cells and substance P in adverse cardiac remodeling. Read More

Neuropeptides 2019 Apr 3;74:88-94. Epub 2019 Jan 3.

Department of Biology, Damghan Branch, Islamic Azad University, Damghan, Iran.

Clinical and experimental evidence have demonstrated that, use of alcohol during pregnancy can interrupt brain development. Alcohol-induced neurocognitive deficits in offspring's are involved with activation of oxidative-inflammatory cascade joined with extensive apoptotic neurodegeneration in different brain regions such as hippocampus. Obestatin is a newly discovered peptide with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, activities in different animal models. Read More

Neuropeptides 2019 Apr 3;74:70-81. Epub 2019 Jan 3.

Departamento de Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de la República, Montevideo, Uruguay. Electronic address:

Melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) is a neuropeptide present in neurons located in the hypothalamus that densely innervate serotonergic cells in the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN). MCH administration into the DRN induces a depressive-like effect through a serotonergic mechanism. To further understand the interaction between MCH and serotonin, we used primary cultured serotonergic neurons to evaluate the effect of MCH on serotonergic release and metabolism by HPLC-ED measurement of serotonin (5-HT) and 5-hydroxyindolacetic acid (5-HIAA) levels. Read More

Neuropeptides 2019 Feb 13;73:25-33. Epub 2018 Dec 13.

Neuroscience Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran; Department of Orofacial Pain and Dysfunction, Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA), University of Amsterdam and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Electronic address:

Different types of trigeminal pains are frequently associated with psychophysiological concerns. Orexin-A and orexin 1 receptor (OX1R) are involved in modulation of both trigeminal pain and anxiety responses. Ventrolateral periaqueductal gray matter (vlPAG), a controlling site for nociception and emotion, receives orexinergic inputs. Read More

Neuropeptides 2019 Feb 18;73:96-106. Epub 2018 Dec 18.

Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, 76 Yanta West Road, Xi'an 710061, China; Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases (Xi'an Jiaotong University), Ministry of Education of China, Xi'an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, 76 Yanta West Road, Xi'an 710061, China. Electronic address:

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is one of the major disabling and lethal diseases for aged individuals worldwide. To date, there are more than 10 hypotheses proposed for AD pathology. The beta-amyloid (Aβ) cascade hypothesis is the most widely accepted and proposes that the accumulation of Aβ in the brain is one potential mechanism for AD pathogenesis. Read More

Neuropeptides 2019 Apr 18;74:44-51. Epub 2018 Dec 18.

Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA. Electronic address:

Endothelin-1 (ET-1), as it functions as a neuromodulator, has been associated with hypertension in chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH) which attribute to enhanced carotid body sensibility to hypoxia. However, the molecular mechanism of ET-1 on carotid body sensibility in CIH is still not clear. Here, effect of ET-1 on carotid body chemosensory stimulation in rats exposed to either CIH or room air (Normoxia) was explored. Read More

Neuropeptides 2019 Apr 15;74:60-69. Epub 2018 Dec 15.

School of Medical Sciences (Anatomy and Histology), The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.

Nerve injuries often result in neuropathic pain with co-morbid changes in social behaviours, motivation, sleep-wake cycles and neuroendocrine function. In an animal model of neuropathic injury (CCI) similar co-morbid changes are evoked in a subpopulation (~30%) of injured rats. In addition to anatomical evidence of altered neuronal and glial function, the periaqueductal grey (PAG) of these rats shows evidence of cell death. Read More

Neuropeptides 2019 02 27;73:66-70. Epub 2018 Nov 27.

Neuroscience Research Center, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran.

Neuropeptides 2019 02 29;73:49-56. Epub 2018 Nov 29.

Dipartimento di Scienze Biochimiche A. Rossi Fanelli, Sapienza Università di Roma, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, I-00185 Roma, Italy. Electronic address:

Neuropeptides 2019 Feb 30;73:78-88. Epub 2018 Nov 30.

Department of Reconstructive Sciences, Farmington, CT 06030, USA. Electronic address:

Neuropeptide Y (NPY) is involved in multiple processes such as behavior, energy and bone metabolism. Previous studies have relied on global NPY depletion to examine its effects on bone. However, this approach is unable to distinguish the central or local source of NPY influencing bone. Read More

Neuropeptides 2019 Feb 27;73:11-24. Epub 2018 Nov 27.

Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular & Cellular Biology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA. Electronic address:

Neuropeptide Y (NPY) is a multifunctional neurotransmitter acting via G protein-coupled receptors - Y1R, Y2R and Y5R. NPY activities, such as its proliferative effects, are mediated by multiple receptors, which have the ability to dimerize. However, the role of this receptor interplay in NPY functions remains unclear. Read More

Neuropeptides 2019 Feb 26;73:71-77. Epub 2018 Nov 26.

Department of Histology and Embryology, Akdeniz University, Faculty of Medicine, Antalya, Turkey.

Stress increases the apelin content in gut, while exogenous peripheral apelin has been shown to induce cholecystokinin (CCK) release. The present study was designed to elucidate (i) the effect of acute stress on enteric production of apelin and CCK, (ii) the role of APJ receptors in apelin-induced CCK release depending on the nutritional status. CCK levels were assayed in portal vein blood samples obtained from stressed (ARS) and non-stressed (NS) rats previously injected with APJ receptor antagonist F13A or vehicle. Read More

Neuropeptides 2019 Apr 1;74:34-43. Epub 2018 Nov 1.

School of Kinesiology, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai 200438, PR China; School of Kinesiology, Shenyang Sport University, Shenyang, Liaoning 110102, PR China. Electronic address:

To explore the role of nesfatin-1 in regulating male reproductive function during energy balance variation, we employed an obese mouse model which was first induced by a high-fat diet (HFD) and followed by interventions of a normal diet (ND) and/or moderate exercise, and then serum reproductive hormones of male mice, hypothalamic nucleobindin 2 (NUCB2)/nesfatin-1, inflammatory factors, and gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) levels were tested. Our findings showed that both serum nesfatin-1, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and testosterone (T) levels and hypothalamic NUCB2/nesfatin-1 and Gnrh mRNA levels were reduced, whereas, the mRNA and protein levels of hypothalamic tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β, inhibitor kappa B kinase β (IKKβ), and nuclear factor (NF)-κB were increased in obese male mice. Diet, exercise, and diet combined with exercise interventions reversed the decreases in serum nesfatin-1, FSH, LH, and T levels; increased hypothalamic NUCB2/nesfatin-1 and Gnrh mRNA levels; and reduced hypothalamic TNF-α, IL-1β, IKKβ, and NF-κB levels. Read More

Neuropeptides 2019 Feb 19;73:89-95. Epub 2018 Nov 19.

Obesity Research, Novo Nordisk A/S, 2760 Måløv, Denmark.

Peptide YY(3-36) ((PYY(3-36)) and glucagon like peptide 1 (GLP-1) in combination reduce food intake and body weight in an additive or synergistic manner in animal models and in humans. Nevertheless, the mechanisms behind are not completely understood. The present study aims to investigate the effect of combining PYY(3-36) and the GLP-1 receptor agonist exendin-4 (Ex4) by examining acute food intake and global neuronal activation as measured by c-fos in C57BL/6 J mice. Read More

Neuropeptides 2019 Feb 13;73:57-65. Epub 2018 Nov 13.

Gastroenterology Laboratory, Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, AL 36088, United States. Electronic address:

The current study measured seven feeding responses by non-sulfated cholecystokinin-8 (NS CCK-8) in freely fed adult male Sprague Dawley rats. The peptide (0, 0.5, 1, 3, 5 and 10 nmol/kg) was given intraperitoneally (ip) prior to the onset of the dark cycle, and first meal size (MS), second meal size, intermeal interval (IMI) length, satiety ratio (SR = IMI/MS), latency to first meal, duration of first meal, number of meals and 24-hour food intake were measured. Read More

Neuropeptides 2018 Dec 10;72:30-37. Epub 2018 Oct 10.

Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, School of Basic Medical Science, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 511436, China; Institute of Neuroscience and Department of Neurology of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Key Laboratory of Neurogenetics and Channelopathies of Guangdong Province and the Ministry of Education of China, Guangzhou 510260, China.

Lumbar disc herniation is a common cause of radicular pain, but the mechanism remains ambiguous and the treatment stays unsatisfied. Many studies revealed a traditional Chinese medicine puerarin may moderate chronic pain from diabetes and nerve injury. Thus far, the role and mechanism of puerarin in radicular pain is still unknown. Read More

Neuropeptides 2019 Feb 13;73:41-48. Epub 2018 Nov 13.

Département de Biomédecine Vétérinaire, Groupe de Recherche en Pharmacologie Animal du Québec (GREPAQ), Faculté de Médecine Vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, 3200 Sicotte, Saint-Hyacinthe, Montréal, QC J2S 2M2, Canada. Electronic address:

Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) is a widely used model organism to examine nocifensive response to noxious stimuli, including heat avoidance. Recently, comprehensive analysis of the genome sequence revealed several pro-neuropeptide genes, encoding a series of bioactive neuropeptides. Read More

Neuropeptides 2019 Feb 8;73:34-40. Epub 2018 Nov 8.

Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran; Molecular Medicine Research Center, Research Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran; Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Afzalipoor Faculty of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran. Electronic address:

Aim Of Study: Diabetes mellitus is related to the development of neuronal tissue injury in different peripheral and central nervous system regions. A common complication of diabetes is painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy (PDN). We have studied the neuroprotective and anti-nociceptive properties of neuropeptide orexin-A in an animal experimental model of diabetic neuropathy. Read More

Neuropeptides 2019 Feb 31;73:1-10. Epub 2018 Oct 31.

Post-Graduate Program in Biological Sciences, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Institute of Basic Health Sciences, Universidade Federal Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil; Laboratory of Pain Pharmacology and Neuromodulation: Pre clinical studies, Pharmacology Department, Institute of Basic Health Sciences, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil; Animal Experimentation Unit and Graduate Research Group, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, RS 90035-003, Brazil; Post-Graduate Program in Medicine: Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil. Electronic address:

Obesity is a multifactorial disease associated with metabolic dysfunction and the prevention and treatment of obesity are often unsatisfactory. Transcranial direct-current stimulation (tDCS) is a non-invasive brain stimulation technique that has proven promising in the treatment of eating disorders such as obesity. We investigate the effects of tDCS on locomotor and exploratory activities, anxiety-like and feeding behavior, and levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), IL (interleukin)-10, IL-1β, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in the cerebral cortex of obese rats. Read More

Neuropeptides 2018 Dec 27;72:38-46. Epub 2018 Oct 27.

Department of Pharmacy, "G. d'Annunzio" University, Chieti, Italy.

Palatability and variety of foods are major reasons for hedonic eating, and hence for obesity. Hemopressin, a hemoglobin α chain-derived peptide, plays antagonist/inverse agonist role on cannabinoid (CB)1 receptors, while RVD-hemopressin(α)[RVD-hp(α)], a N-terminally extended form of hemopressin, has been reported as an allosteric modulator of CB1 and CB2 receptors. We investigated the effects of 14 daily intraperitoneal injections of RVD-hp(α), in Sprague-Dawley rats fed a highly palatable cafeteria-style (CAF) diet (30% fat, 56% carbohydrate, 14% protein; 4. Read More

Neuropeptides 2018 Dec 2;72:58-64. Epub 2018 Nov 2.

Department of Anesthesiology, The Affiliated Huai'an No.1 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Huai'an 223002, Jiangsu, China. Electronic address:

The protective effects of dexmedetomidine (DEX) mediated by reductions of oxidative stress, mitochondrial damage and disintegration have been demonstrated in many injury models. However, whether DEX has a beneficial effect on traumatic brain injury (TBI) remains unknown. In this study, the neuroprotective effect of DEX and its potential mechanism were assessed in a model of TBI. Read More

Neuropeptides 2018 Dec 26;72:65-74. Epub 2018 Oct 26.

School of Basic Pharmaceutical and Toxicological Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Louisiana Monroe, 356 Bienville Building, 1800 Bienville Drive, Monroe, LA 71201, USA. Electronic address:

The female ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus (VMN) is a focal substrate for estradiol (E) regulation of energy balance, feeding, and body weight, but how E shapes VMN gluco-regulatory signaling in each sex is unclear. This study investigated the hypothesis that estrogen receptor-alpha (ERα) and/or -beta (ERβ) control VMN signals that inhibit [γ-aminobutyric acid] or stimulate [nitric oxide, steroidogenic factor-1 (SF-1)] counter-regulation in a sex-dependent manner. VMN nitrergic neurons monitor astrocyte fuel provision; here, we examined how these ER regulate astrocyte glycogen metabolic enzyme, monocarboxylate transporter, and adrenoreceptor protein responses to insulin-induced hypoglycemia (IIH) in each sex. Read More

Neuropeptides 2018 Dec 21;72:1-11. Epub 2018 Sep 21.

Depatment of Biochemistry, Medical, Pharmaceutical & Toxicological Chemistry, Krasnoyarsk State Medical University named after Prof. V.F. Voino-Yasenetsky, Krasnoyarsk 660022, Russia; Department of Basic Research on Social Recognition and Memory, Research Center for Child Mental Development, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa 920-8640, Japan. Electronic address:

Social recognition is the sensitive domains of complex behavior critical for identification, interpretation and storage of socially meaningful information. Social recognition develops throughout childhood and adolescent, and is affected in a wide variety of psychiatric disorders. Recently, new data appeared on the molecular mechanisms of these processes, particularly, the excitatory-inhibitory (E/I) ratio which is modified during development, and then E/I balance is established in the adult brain. Read More

Neuropeptides 2018 Dec 8;72:12-22. Epub 2018 Sep 8.

Neurophysiology Unit, Cardiac Electrophysiology Research and Training Center, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand; Department of Oral Biology and Diagnostic Sciences, Faculty of Dentistry, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand. Electronic address:

Neurotensin is an endogenous tridecapeptide that can be found in both central and peripheral nervous systems. Under normal physiological conditions, neurotensin is involved in the regulation of pain, body temperature, physical activity, appetite as well as learning and memory. In addition, it plays an important role in fat metabolism. Read More

Neuropeptides 2018 Dec 21;72:47-57. Epub 2018 Sep 21.

Faculty of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University School of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan; Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan; Taiwan Association for the Study of Small Intestinal Diseases, Guishan, Taiwan. Electronic address:

This review analyzed the published studies on the effects of thermal injury on gastrointestinal motility and mucosal damage. Our strategy was to integrate all available evidence to provide a complete review on the prokinetic properties of variable reagents and the potential clinical treatment of mucosal damage and gastrointestinal dysmotility after thermal injury. We classified the studies into two major groups: studies on gastrointestinal dysmotility and studies on mucosal damage. Read More

Neuropeptides 2018 Dec 20;72:23-29. Epub 2018 Sep 20.

Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences of the Mother, Children and Adults. University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via del Pozzo n. 71, 41124 Modena, Italy.

Several in vitro, ex vivo and in vivo studies imply brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the pathophysiology of epilepsy. Aim of our work is to report the most important findings regarding BDNF and its potential role in epilepsy. We targeted those publications addressing both in vitro and in vivo evidences of relationship between BDNF and epilepsy. Read More

Neuropeptides 2018 Oct 28;71:32-42. Epub 2018 Jun 28.

Dipartimento di Scienze Biochimiche A. Rossi Fanelli, CNR Istituto di Biologia e Patologia Molecolare, Sapienza Università di Roma, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, I-00185 Rome, Italy. Electronic address:

Prokineticin-2 (PK2) is a secreted bioactive peptide that signals through two GPCRs, the prokineticin receptors (PKRs), and regulates a variety of biological processes including angiogenesis, immunity and nociception. The PK2 primary transcript has two alternative splice variants, PK2 and PK2L (a Long form) which is cleaved in an active peptide, named PK2β that preferentially binds to PKR1 receptor. The aim of this study was to characterize the PK2β. Read More

Neuropeptides 2018 Oct 7;71:90-96. Epub 2018 Sep 7.

Laboratory of Regulation in Metabolism and Behavior, Graduate School of Bioresource and Bioenvironmental Science, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan.

Heat stress is an issue of rising concern across the globe. Recently, we found that mRNA expression of gonadotropin-inhibitory hormone (GnIH), an orexigenic neuropeptide, was increased in the heat-exposed chick brain when food intake was reduced. The aim of the current study was to examine mRNA expression of GnIH and of the glucocorticoid receptors (GRs) in the hypothalamus as well as the plasma corticosterone (CORT) and metabolites in 14-d-old chicks exposed to a high ambient temperature (HT; 40 ± 1 °C for 1 or 5 h) or a control thermoneutral temperature (CT; 30 ± 1 °C), either with free access to food or fasted. Read More

Neuropeptides 2018 Oct 30;71:43-53. Epub 2018 Jun 30.

Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, Iran University for Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.. Electronic address:

In utero exposure to therapeutic doses of valproic acid (VPA) during pregnancy can produce physical malformation and CNS abnormalities in the offspring. There is evidence indicating that even lower doses of VPA during pregnancy could cause cognitive impairment in offspring. It has been demonstrated that maternal exercise has positive effects on offspring's cognitive function. Read More

Neuropeptides 2018 Oct 8;71:81-89. Epub 2018 Aug 8.

Department of Orthopaedics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, People's Republic of China. Electronic address:

TNF receptor-associated factor 7 (TRAF7), is an E3 ubiquitin ligase for several proteins involved in the activation of TLR-dependent NF-kappaB signaling. TRAF7 links TNF receptor family proteins to signaling pathways, thus participates in regulating cell death and survival mediated by TNF family ligands. To date, the biological function of TRAF7 after spinal cord injury (SCI) is still with limited acquaintance. Read More

Neuropeptides 2018 Oct 10;71:61-69. Epub 2018 Jul 10.

Neurosciences Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical sciences, Tabriz, Iran. Electronic address:

Medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) ischemia affects post-stroke cognitive outcomes. We aimed to investigate the effects of different doses and routes of cerebrolysin (CBL) on the structural synaptic plasticity and cognitive function after mPFC ischemia in mice. Thence, CBL (1, 2. Read More

Neuropeptides 2018 Oct 14;71:1-10. Epub 2018 Jun 14.

Department of Zoology, Savitribai Phule Pune University, Ganeshkhind, Pune 411 007, India. Electronic address:

The central control of feeding in animals depends upon the alternating actions of orexigenic and anorectic peptides. Studies at understanding the food intake mechanisms have emphasised the role of Neuropeptide Y as a potent orexigenic peptide in the brain. The aim of this study is to investigate the response of NPY system to positive and negative energy states and elucidate a holistic response of NPY expression throughout the brain of a tadpole model. Read More

Neuropeptides 2018 Oct 11;71:70-80. Epub 2018 Jul 11.

Second hospital Neurology Dept., Shanxi medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, PR China; Biomedical and Life Science, Faculty of Health and Medicine, Lancaster University, Lancaster LA1 4YQ, UK.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease, and there is no recognised therapy to cure it. Recently, it has been shown that treatments to improve insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes (T2DM) may be useful for PD patients. In previous studies, the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist liraglutide showed good neuroprotective effects in animal models of PD. Read More

Neuropeptides 2018 Oct 9;71:54-60. Epub 2018 Jul 9.

Division of Geriatric Neurology, Neurology Service, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre (HCPA), Porto Alegre, RS 90035-903, Brazil; School of Medicine, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, RS 90035-903, Brazil.

Sirtuins are NAD+-dependent enzymes that regulate a large number of cellular pathways and are related to aging and age-associated diseases. In recent years, the role of sirtuins in Alzheimer's disease (AD) has become increasingly apparent. Growing evidence demonstrates that sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) regulates many processes that go amiss in AD, such as: APP processing, neuroinflammation, neurodegeneration, and mitochondrial dysfunction. Read More

Neuropeptides 2018 Oct 25;71:21-31. Epub 2018 Jun 25.

Laboratory of Molecular Neural Biology, School of Life Sciences, Shanghai University, 99 Shang Da Road, Shanghai 200444, China. Electronic address:

Background: Glioblastoma is one of the most malignant brain cancer, thus, establishing an effective therapy is paramount. Our previous results indicate that dendritic cell-derived factor (DCF1) is an attractive candidate for therapy against Glioblastoma, since its overexpression in Glioblastoma U251 cells leads to apoptosis. However, the delivery approach limits its clinical application, in this paper, we expressed TAT-DCF1 fusion protein in E. Read More

Neuropeptides 2018 Oct 19;71:97-103. Epub 2018 Jun 19.

Department of Integrative Biology and Physiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA. Electronic address:

TLQP-21 is a multifunctional neuropeptide and a promising new medicinal target for cardiometabolic and neurological diseases. However, to date its clearance kinetics and plasma stability have not been studied. The presence of four arginine residues led us to hypothesize that its half-life is relatively short. Read More

Neuropeptides 2018 Oct 19;71:11-20. Epub 2018 Jun 19.

Department of Medicine and Aging Science, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, via dei Vestini 31, 66100 Chieti, Scalo (Chieti), Italy.

Neurodegenerative diseases share a common pathogenetic mechanism involving aggregation and deposition of misfolded proteins, oxidative stress, metal dyshomeostasis, and glutamate exicitotoxicity, which lead to progressive dysfunction of central nervous system (CNS). A potential strategy to counteract these deleterious events at neuronal level is represented by the employment of a novel class of multi-target therapeutic agents that selectively and simultaneously hit these targets In this paper, we report the metal binding and antioxidant properties of a novel metal-protein attenuating peptide, GSH-LD, a tetrapeptide obtained by linking glutathione, a well-known antioxidant tripeptide, to L-Dopa. Results demonstrated that GSH-LD possesses chelating capabilities in order to selectively target the excess of metals without interfere with metal-containing antioxidant enzymes. Read More

Neuropeptides 2018 Aug 5;70:1-8. Epub 2018 May 5.

Discipline of Anatomy and Pathology, Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, SA, Australia.

Victims of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) are believed to have an underlying dysfunction in medullary homeostatic control that impairs critical responses to life threatening challenges such as hypoxia, hypercarbia and asphyxia, often during a sleep period. This failure is thought to result from abnormalities in a network of neural pathways in the medulla oblongata that control respiration, chemosensitivity, autonomic function and arousal. Studies have mainly focused on the role of serotonin, 5-hydroxytyptamine (5HT), although the neuropeptide substance P (SP) has also been shown to play an integral role in the modulation of medullary homeostatic function, often in conjunction with 5-HT. Read More