Identification and Expression Profile of a Neuropeptide LFRFamide-Like Gene During Different Stages of Gonadal Development in the Cephalopod Sepia pharaonis

Neuropeptides are widely distributed in vertebrates and invertebrates,regulating a variety of physiological activities in the organisms,such as metabolism,feeding and reproduction.In this study,to explore the function of neuropeptide LFRFamide in Sepia pharaonis,the full-length cDNA of LFRFamide-like gene(named SpLFRFL,MG869822.1)was identified with rapid amplification of cDNA ends(RACE)method.The sequence of SpLFRFL was 860 bp in length and encoded 188 amino acids containing 4 different mature peptides:1 copy of PHTPFRFamide,NSLFRFamide,TIFRFamide,and 3 copies of GNLFRFamide.Multiple alignment and phylogenetic analysis results showed that SpLFRFL shared high identity with LFRFamides of Sepia officinalis and Sepiella japonica and had the closest relationship with them.Through quantitative Real-time PCR(qRT-PCR),it was found that the SpLFRFL gene was highly expressed in the optic lobe and brain at three different stages during gonad development in both genders.Moreover,the four mature peptides at a concentration of 0.01μmol L^(−1) could inhibit the protein synthesis in the Chinese hamster ovary cell strain-K1(CHOK1)induced by SpGnRH.These data suggest that SpLFRFL might be involved in the development and reproduction of S.pharaonis.The results can contribute to future studies on neuropeptide evolution and function and benefit the cuttlefish farming.

Neuropeptide signaling systems are involved in regulating thermal tolerance in the oriental fruit fly

Neuropeptides and their receptors are involved in the regulation and coordination of various physiological processes in insects.Although various neuropeptides have been identified previously,the corresponding receptors remain unknown in the oriental fruit fly,Bactrocera dorsalis,an important agricultural insect pest.It is also unclear whether neuropeptide signaling systems are involved in regulating the thermal tolerance of this notorious pest.Here,we systematically identified 44 putative neuropeptide receptor genes which encode 66 protein sequences,and analyzed the spatio-temporal expression patterns of the neuropeptide ligands and their receptor genes in B.dorsalis.We also analyzed changes in their transcript accumulation in two thermo-tolerant populations(heat and cold)of B.dorsalis.The results showed that numerous neuropeptides and receptors participate in responding to thermal stresses during acclimation.In particular,the expression of short neuropeptide F(sNPF)was up-regulated in the heat-tolerant population of B.dorsalis.Moreover,proteomic data showed that sNPF was up-regulated in both thermo-tolerant populations of B.dorsalis.The functional verification based on CRISPR/Cas9 demonstrated that sNPF is involved in regulating the tolerance to thermal stresses.The results of this study enrich our knowledge on the function of neuropeptide sNPF in insects.Moreover,this study demonstrated the role of neuropeptide signaling systems in thermal adaptation,contributing to a better understanding of the rapid invasiveness of B.dorsalis around the world.

Neuro faces of beneficial T cells:essential in brain,impaired in aging and neurological diseases,and activated functionally by neurotransmitters and neuropeptides

T cells are essential for a healthy life,performing continuously:immune surveillance,recognition,protection,activation,suppression,assistance,eradication,secretion,adhesion,migration,homing,communications,and additional tasks.This paper describes five aspects of normal beneficial T cells in the healthy or diseased brain.First,normal beneficial T cells are essential for normal healthy brain functions:cognition,spatial learning,memory,adult neurogenesis,and neuroprotection.T cells decrease secondary neuronal degeneration,increase neuronal survival after central nervous system(CNS) injury,and limit CNS inflammation and damage upon injury and infection.Second,while pathogenic T cells contribute to CNS disorders,recent studies,mostly in animal models,show that specific subpopulations of normal beneficial T cells have protective and regenerative effects in seve ral neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative diseases.These include M ultiple Sclerosis(MS),Alzheimer’s disease,Parkinson’s disease,Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis(ALS),stro ke,CNS trauma,chronic pain,and others.Both T cell-secreted molecules and direct cell-cell contacts deliver T cell neuroprotective,neuro regenerative and immunomodulato ry effects.Third,normal beneficial T cells are abnormal,impaired,and dysfunctional in aging and multiple neurological diseases.Different T cell impairments are evident in aging,brain tumors(mainly Glioblastoma),seve re viral infections(including COVID-19),chro nic stress,major depression,schizophrenia,Parkinson’s disease,Alzheimer’s disease,ALS,MS,stro ke,and other neuro-pathologies.The main detrimental mechanisms that impair T cell function are activation-induced cell death,exhaustion,senescence,and impaired T cell stemness.Fo urth,several physiological neurotransmitters and neuro peptides induce by themselves multiple direct,potent,beneficial,and therapeutically-relevant effects on normal human T cells,via their receptors in T cells.This scientific field is called "Nerve-Driven Immunity".The main neurotransmitters and neuropeptides that induce directly activating and beneficial effects on naive normal human T cells are:dopamine,glutamate,GnRH-Ⅱ,neuropeptide Y,calcitonin gene-related peptide,and somatostatin.Fifth, "Personalized Adoptive Neuro-Immunotherapy".This is a novel unique cellular immunotherapy,based on the "Nerve-Driven Immunity" findings,which was recently designed and patented for safe and repeated rejuvenation,activation,and improvement of impaired and dysfunctional T cells of any person in need,by ex vivo exposure of the person’s T cells to neurotransmitters and neuropeptides.Personalized adoptive neuro-immunotherapy includes an early ex vivo personalized diagnosis,and subsequent ex vivo in vivo personalized adoptive therapy,tailo red according to the diagnosis.The Personalized Adoptive Neuro-Immunotherapy has not yet been tested in humans,pending validation of safety and efficacy in clinical trials,especially in brain tumors,chronic infectious diseases,and aging,in which T cells are exhausted and/or senescent and dysfunctional.

Neuropeptide Y promotes TGF-β1 production in RAW264.7 cells by activating PI3K pathway via Y1 receptor

Objective To examine the effect of neuropeptide Y （NPY） on TGF-β1 production in RAW264.7 macrophages. Methods Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to detect TGF-β1 production. Cell counting kit 8 （CCK-8） was used to assay the viability of RAW264.7 cells. Western blot was used to detect the phosphorylation of PI3K p85. Results NPY treatment could promote TGF-β1 production and rapid phosphorylation of PI3K p85 in RAW264.7 cells via Y1 receptor. The elevated TGF-β 1 production induced by NPY could be abolished by wortrnannin pretreatment. Conclusion NPY may elicit TGF-β production in RAW264.7 cells via Y1 receptor, and the activated PI3K pathway may account for this effect.

Apoptosis and Lipolysis of White Adipocytes Induced by Neuropeptide Y- Y5 Receptor Antisense Oligodeoxynucleotides

Objective: To investigate the influence of central administration ofneuropeptide Y-Y5 receptor antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) on body weight, fat pads of SDrats, and the effects of white adipocytes lipolysis and apoptosis. Methods: Y5 receptor antisense,sense, mismatched ODNs or vehicle was intracerebroventricularly (i. c. v.) injected. Averageadipocyte area was calculated. DNA ladders were measured to evaluate adipocyte apoptosis, and RT-PCRwas used to analyse the expression of Bcl-2 and Bax gene. Results: Central administration of Y5antisense ODNs significantly decreased body weight, and average adipocyte area. DNA fragmentationwas present after electrophoresis at epididymal adipose tissue. The expression of Bcl-2 gene wasdownregulated, while the expression of Bax upregulated. Conclusion: Lipolysis and adipocyteapoptosis may be important mechanisms far 75 antisense therapy.

Efficacy of Antisense Oligodeoxynucleotide of Neuropeptide Y Y5 Receptor on Treating of Hyperleptinemia by Intraventricular Administration in Diet-induced Obese Rats

Objective: To study the efficacy of antisense oligonucleotide of neuropeptide Y (NPY) Y5 receptor on treating hyperleptinemia by intracerebral ventricular administration in diet-induced obese rats.Methods: The obese rats were prepared by feeding a high-nutritive diet for 7 weeks. The lateral ventricle of obese rats was cannulated. Either 10 μl of different neuropeptide Y Y5 receptor oligodeoxynucleotide, including antisense, sense and missense oligodeoxynucleotide (5 g/L) or 10 μl saline was administered into the ventricle through cannula three times per day in every rat. Two days later the rats were slaughtered .The weights of both retroperitoneal and epididymal adipose tissues were measured, and the serum insulin and leptin were detected by radioimmunoassay method and the murine leptin ELISA kit respectively. Results: ①The level of serum was significantly higher in experimental rats than that in normal rats. Similarly, the level of serum insulin and the weights of both retroperitoneal and epididymal adipose tissues were increased in experimental rats. ②After the diet-induced obese rats were intraventricularly administered with NPY Y5 receptor antisense oligodeoxynucleotide, the levels of serum leptin and insulin were significantly decreased and combined with the reduction of weight in retroperitoneal adipose tissue. There was, however, no significant difference in the weight of epidymal adipose tissue between pre-treated and post-treated duration. ③There was significant positive correlation among the level of serum leptin, the level of serum insulin and the weight of retroperritoneal adipose tissue in diet-induced obese rats. Conclusion: Intracerebral ventricular administration of antisense oligodeoxynucleotide of neuropeptide Y Y5 receptor may alleviate hyperleptinemia in diet-induced obese rats and decrease the weight of retroperitoneal adipose tissue and the level of serum insulin.

Associations of Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Receptor (GnRHR) and Neuropeptide Y(NPY) Genes’Polymorphisms with Egg-Laying Traits in Wenchang Chicken

Single nucleotide polymorphisms （SNP） of chicken gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor （GnRHR） and neuropeptide Y （NPY） were selected to identify the genotypes of Wenchang （Chinese indigenous breed） chicken with restricton fragment length polymorphisms. The associations of the SNPs with the total egg production （NE）, average days of continual laying （ADCL）, and number of double-yolked eggs （DYE） traits were analyzed. The frequency of restriction enzyme A/a alleles in the population was for GnRHR 0.69 （Bpu1102 Ⅰ A） and 0.31 （Bpu1102 Ⅰ a） and for NPY 0.46 （Dra Ⅰ B） and 0.54 （Dra Ⅰ b）. Trait data from a total of 120 hens, which were purebred introduced from Hainan Province, China from one generation were recorded. Two significant effects of genes＇ marker were found： for GnRHR and number of eggs （dominant; t= 2.67, df= 116） and NPY and number of eggs （additive; t= 1.97, df= 116）. The current research supports the effects of GnRHR and NPY genes on egg-laying traits of chickens.

Neuropeptide Y and leptin receptor expression in the hypothalamus of rats with chronic immobilization stress

In this study, Sprague-Dawley rats were immobilized to a frame for 3 hours a day for 21 days to establish a model of chronic immobilization stress. The body weight and food intake of rats subjected to chronic immobilization stress were significantly decreased compared with the control group. Dual-labeling immunofluorescence revealed that the expression of leptin receptor and the co-localization coeffient in these leptic receptor neurons in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus were both upregulated, while the number of neuropeptide Y neurons was decreased. Chronic immobilization stress induced high expression of leptin receptor in the arcuate nucleus and suppressed the synthesis and secretion of neuropeptide Y, thereby disrupting the pathways in the arcuate nucleus that regulate feeding behavior, resulting in diminished food intake and reduced body weight.

The Role of β3-adrenergic Receptor Gene in Neuropeptide Y Y5Receptor Antisense Gene Therapy of Diet-induced Obese Rats

Objective: To study the role of β3-adrenergic receptor gene in neuropeptide Y(NPY) Y5 receptor antisense gene therapy of diet-induced obese rats.Methods: The diet-induced obese rats were prepared by feeding a high-nutrition diet. Lateral ventricular was cannulated in obese rats which then received an intraventricular injection of either 5 μg/μl NPY Y5 receptor antisense or 10 μl missense oligodeoxynucleotide or saline of 10 μl respectively in every rat. When the rats were killed, the wet weight of abdominal adipose tissue, the level of serum lipid and lipoprotein were measured. Total RNA from the retroperitoneal adipose tissue was extracted and the level of β3-adrenergic receptor gene mRNA expression was evaluated by RT-PCR.Results: ①The wet weight of abdominal adipose tissue, the levels of serum lipids were greatly higher in diet-induced obese rats than those in normal rats. However, there were much lower β3-adrenergic receptor gene mRNA expression levels in retroperitoneal adipose tissue in diet-induced obese rats as compared with those in normal rats. ②After the diet-induced obese rats were intraventricularly administered with NPY Y5 receptor antisense oligodeoxynucleotide, the levels of β3-adrenergic receptor gene mRNA expression in retroperitoneal adipose tissue of diet-induced obese rats were strikingly up-regulated, whereas the wet weight of abdominal adipose tissue, the levels of serum lipids were markedly reduced.Conclusion: Intraventricular administration of antisense oligodeoxynucleotide to NPY Y5 receptor could significantly reduce the abdominal adipose tissue and the levels of serum lipids in diet-induced obese rats by up-regulating the level of β3-adrenergic receptor gene mRNA expression in retroperitoneal adipose tissue.

Leptin transiently antagonizes ghrelin and long-lastingly orexin in regulation of Ca^(2+) signaling in neuropeptide Y neurons of the arcuate nucleus

AIM： To explore the mechanism for interactions of leptin with ghrelin and orexin in the arcuate nucleus （ARC） activating neuropeptide Y （NPY） neurons during physiological regulation of feeding, METHODS： Single neurons from ARC of adult rats with matured feeding function were isolated. [Ca2＋]i was measured to monitore their activities. The time course of leptin effects on ghrelin-induced versus orexin-induced [Ca2＋]i increases in NPY neurons was studied. RESULTS： Administration of ghrelin or orexin-A at 101~ mol/L increased cytosolic Ca2~ concentration （[Ca2＋]~） in NPY neurons isolated from the ARC of adult rats. Upon administration of leptin at 10^-14-10^-12 mol/L, ghrelin-induced [Ca2＋]i increases were initially （〈 10 min） inhibited but later restored, exhibiting a transient pattern of inhibition. In contrast, orexin-induced [Ca2＋]i increases were inhibited by leptin in a long- lasting manner. Furthermore, a prior administration of leptin inhibited orexin action but not ghrelin action to increase ICa 2＋li, CONCLUSION： Leptin counteracted ghrelin effects transiently and orexin effects long-lastingly in NPY neurons. The transient property with which leptin counteracts ghrelin action in NPY neurons may allow the fasting-associated increase in ghrelin levels to activate NPY neurons in the presence of physiological leptin and to stimulate feeding.

Effects of acupuncture therapy on plasma neuropeptide Y levels and resuscitation in patients with very early stage acute cerebral infarction A randomized controlled study

BACKGROUND： It is known that acupuncture therapy can decrease plasma neuropeptide Y （NPY） levels in patients with cerebral infarction, but different types of acupuncture therapy used in various stages of cerebral infarction have not been evaluated. OBJECTIVE： To explore the effect of acupuncture therapy on resuscitation （Xingnao Kaiqiao） and plasma NPY levels in patients with very early stage acute cerebral infarction. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： This case-controlled study was performed at the Affiliated Hospital of the Medical College of the Chinese People＇s Armed Police Force between September 2004 and October 2005. PARTICIPANTS： Sixty patients with acute cerebral infarction of ≤ 6 hours were used in this study. Patients were randomly divided into an acupuncture therapy group （n = 30） and a routine treatment group （n = 30）. Another 30 healthy subjects were used as the control group. METHODS： The acupuncture therapy of Xingnao Kaiqiao used in the acupuncture therapy group was based on routine western medical treatment and was performed at bilateral Neiguan （PCG） using the twirling, reinforcing-reducing method, Renzhong （DU26） using heavy bird-pecking needling, Sanyinjiao （SPG） using reinforcing and reducing by lifting and thrusting the needle, Jiquan （HT1）, Weizhong （BL40） and Chize （LU5） using reinforcing and reducing by lifting and thrusting the needle. The acupuncture lasted for 14 days. Patients in the routine treatment group underwent routine medical treatment and no intervention was given to subjects in the control group. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： A 4 mL venous blood sample was obtained at different time points, i.e., immediately after hospitalization, the next morning, 7 and 14 days after treatment, to measure plasma NPY levels pre- and post-treatment using the radio-immunity method. RESULTS： The plasma NPY levels were significantly higher in both the routine treatment group and the acupuncture therapy group than in the control group pre- and post-treatment （P 〈 0.01）. In particular, the plasma NPY levels in both the acupuncture therapy group and the routine treatment group were increased 7 days post-treatment but decreased from 7-14 days post-treatment. In addition, the plasma NPY levels were significantly lower in the acupuncture therapy group than in the routine treatment group on day 7 and 14 post-treatment （P 〈 0.01）. CONCLUSION： Acupuncture therapy of Xingnao Kaiqiao can decrease plasma NPY levels in patients with very early stage acute cerebral infarction. In addition, the therapeutic effect of acupuncture with a prolonged therapy time is superior to routine treatment.

Influence of Ganoderma lucidum spores on the levels of neuropeptide Y and somatostatin in brains of seizure rats

BACKGROUND： Previous research has revealed that somatostatin can induce epilepsy, and that the levels of neuropeptide Y may increase and become more active in brain areas with epileptic seizures. OBJECTIVE： To observe the effect of Ganoderma luciclum spore powder on the neuropeptide Y and somatostatin content in the cerebral cortex and hippocampal regions of seizure rats induced by pentylenetetrazol （PTZ）. Furthermore, to verify any effect of Ganoderma lucidum spore powder on inhibition of epileptic seizures. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING： A randomized group animal study was performed in August 2007 in the School of Basic Medical Sciences, Jiamusi University （Jiamusi, Heilongjiang, China）. MATERIALS： Thirty healthy, male, Wistar rats, aged 12 weeks and weighing 180-220 g, were taken as the experimental animals. PTZ （Sigma Company, United States） was used to induce epilepsy. Ganoderma lucidum spores （Leyss, ex Fr variety） were purchased from Jiamusi City Wild Growing Case of the Ganoderma Lucidum （China）. Rabbit anti-somatostatin antibodies and secondary antibodies were purchased from Wuhan Boster Company （China）. Neuropeptide Y radioimmunoassay kit was purchased from Beijing Furui Biotechnology Company （China）. METHODS： Thirty rats were randomly divided into three groups： a control group, an epilepsy model group and a Ganoderma lucidum spore-treated group. Each group contained 10 animals. Rats in the epilepsy model group were treated with intraperitoneal injections of PTZ and gastric perfusion of physiologic saline. In the Ganoderma lucidum spore-treated group, intraperitoneal injection of PTZ and gastric perfusion of Ganoderma lucidum spore powder were administered. The blank control group was only administered with the physiological saline by intraperitoneal injection and gastric perfusion. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Immunohistochemical staining and radioimmunoassay methods were used to observe the changes of somatostatin and neuropeptide Y content in brain tissue of epileptic rats, as well as the morphology of neurons. RESULTS： All 30 rats were involved in the result analysis, without any loss. The number of somatostatin immunoreacted positive cells in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus was significantly increased in the epilepsy model group compared to the blank control group （P 〈 0.01）. The number of somatostatin immunoreacted positive cells in cerebral cortex and hippocampus was significantly decreased in the Ganoderma lucidum spore-treated group compared to the epilepsy model group （P 〈 0.01）. The contents of neuropeptide Y in cerebral cortex and hippocampus were significantly increased in the epilepsy model group compared to the blank control group （P 〈 0.01）. The contents of neuropeptide Y in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus were significantly decreased in the Ganoderma lucidum spore-treated group compared to the epilepsy model group （P 〈 0.05）. The epilepsy seizures in the Ganoderma lucidum spore-treated group were obviously reduced compared to the epilepsy model group. CONCLUSION： Ganoderma lucidum spore powder was able to reduce the somatostatin and neuropeptide Y content in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus effectively, so as to achieve an anti-epileptic function and protect neurons from being damaged.

Type-dependent differential expression of neuropeptide Y in chicken hypothalamus (Gallus domesticus)

Neuropeptide Y （NPY） is one of the most important orexigenic agents in central regulation of feeding behavior, body weight and energy homeostasis in domestic chickens. To examine differences in the hypothalamic NPY between layer-type and meat-type of chickens, which are two divergent kinds of the domestic chickens in feeding behavior and body weight, we detected mRNA levels of NPY in hypothalamic infundibular nucleus （IN）, paraventricular nucleus （PVN） and lateral hypothalamic area （LHA） of these two types of chickens using one-step real time RT-PCR. The meat-type chicken had more food daily （about 1.7 folds） and greater body weights （about 1.5 folds） and brain weights than the layer-type chicken at the age of 14 d. In the meat-type of chicken, NPY mRNA levels of the IN and PVN were significantly greater than those of the LHA, and were not significantly different between the lN and PVN. However, in the layer-type of chicken, NPY mRNA levels were significantly greater in the IN than those in the LHA and PVN, and were not significantly different between the PVN and LHA. In all these hypothalamic regions the layer-type of chicken had significantly higher NPY mRNA levels than the meat-type chicken did. These results suggest the expression of NPY in the hypothalamus has a type-dependent pattern in domestic chickens.

Anti-epileptic effects of neuropeptide Y gene transfection into the rat brain

Neuropeptide Y gene transfection into normal rat brain tissue can provide gene overexpression, which can attenuate the severity of kainic acid-induced seizures. In this study, a recombinant adeno-associated virus carrying the neuropeptide Y gene was transfected into brain tissue of rats with kainic acid-induced epilepsy through stereotactic methods. Following these transfections, we verified overexpression of the neuropeptide Y gene in the epileptic brain. Electroencephalograms showed that seizure severity was significantly inhibited and seizure latency was significantly prolonged up to 4 weeks after gene transfection. Moreover, quantitative fluorescent PCR and western blot assays revealed that the mRNA and protein expression of the N-methyI-D-aspartate receptor subunits NR1, NR2A, and NR2B was inhibited in the hippocampus of epileptic rats. These findings indicate that neuropeptide Y may inhibit seizures via down-regulation of the functional expression of N-methyI-D-aspartate receptors.

Neuropeptide Y gene transfection inhibits post-epileptic hippocampal synaptic reconstruction

Exogenous neuropeptide Y has antiepileptic effects; however, the underlying mechanism and optimal administration method for neuropeptide Y are still unresolved. Previous studies have used intracerebroventricular injection of neuropeptide Y into animal models of epilepsy. In this study, a recombinant adeno-associated virus expression vector carrying the neuropeptide Y gene was injected into the lateral ventricle of rats, while the ipsilateral hippocampus was injected with kainic acid to establish the epileptic model. After transfection of neuropeptide Y gene, mossy fiber sprouting in the hippocampal CA3 region of epileptic rats was significantly suppressed, hippocampal synaptophysin （p38） mRNA and protein expression were inhibited, and epileptic seizures were reduced. These experimental findings indicate that a recombinant adeno-associated virus expression vector carrying the neuropeptide Y gene reduces mossy fiber sprouting and inhibits abnormal synaptophysin expression, thereby suppressing post-epileptic synaptic reconstruction.

Metformin inhibits food intake and neuropeptide Y gene expression in the hypothalamus

Metformin may reduce food intake and body weight, but the anorexigenic effects of metformin are still poorly understood. In this study, Sprague-Dawley rats were administered a single intracere- broventricular dose of metformin and compound C, in a broader attempt to investigate the regula- tory effects of metformin on food intake and to explore the possible mechanism. Results showed that central administration of metformin significantly reduced food intake and body weight gain, par- ticularly after 4 hours. A reduction of neuropeptide Y expression and induction of AMP-activated protein kinase phosphorylation in the hypothalamus were also observed 4 hours after metformin administration, which could be reversed by compound C, a commonly-used antagonist of AMP-activated protein kinase. Furthermore, metformin also improved lipid metabolism by reducing plasma low-density lipoprotein. Our findings suggest that under normal physiological conditions, central regulation of appetite by metformin is related to a decrease in neuropeptide Y gene expres- sion, and that the activation of AMP-activated protein kinase may simply be a response to the anorexigenic effect of metformin.

Expression of Neuropeptide Y in Human Pituitary Adenoma

OBJECTIVE Neuropeptide Y （NPY） acts as a neuroendocrine modulator in the anterior pituitary, and NPY mRNA and NPY-immunoreactivity have been detected in normal human anterior pituitaries. However, only a few studies of NPY expression in human pituitary adenomas have been published. Our study was conducted to determine whether or not adenomatous cells express NPY, to investigate the relationship between NPY expression and the subtypes of pituitary adenoma and to explore the clinical significance of NPY. METHODS The study included tissues from 58 patients with pituitary adenomas who underwent surgery because of their clinical diagnosis. Using a highly specific anti-NPY polyclonal antibody, immunohistochemical analysis was performed on the surgically removed pituitary adenomas. Six fresh specimens also were examined using immuno-electron microscopy. NPY was labeled with colloidal gold in order to study the distribution of NPY at the subcellular level. RESULTS The NPY expression level was significantly different among subgroups of pituitary adenomas （P〈0.05）. NPY was immuno-detected in 58.6% of all adenomas, in 91.7% of gonadotrophic adenomas and in 14.3% of prolactinomas. NPY expression was slightly lower in invasive pituitary adenomas compared to noninvasive adenomas, but the difference was not significant （t=1.81, P〉0.05）. Of particular interest was the finding that vascular endothelial cells showed positive NPY expression in some pituitary adenomas. Parts of strongly positive tumor cells were seen in channels formed without endothelial cells, but which contained some red blood cells in a formation similar to so-called vasculogenic mimicry. Immuno-electron microscopy demonstrated that 4 of the 6 fresh specimens displayed positive NPY staining with a high density of gold particles located mainly in the secretory granulas. In addition, gold particles were sparsely detected in the rough endoplasmic reticulum and cell matrix. CONCLUSION NPY exists in pituitary adenomas and its expression level was related to the types and biological characteristics of the pituitary adenomas. NPY may have a depressive effect on tumor cellular proliferation in pituitary adenomas. NPY possibly participates in modulating angiogenesis and hemodynamic changes in pituitary adenomas.

THE INVESTIGATION OF ANTIEPILEPTIC ACTION OF QINGYANGSHEN (QYS)——Effect of QYS on the Concentrations of Neuropeptides in Rat Brain

The concentrations of central neuropeptides,somatostatin(SS) and substance-P (SP),were determined in the different brain regions of young-aged male rats after a long-term ad-m inistration of anticonvulsants Qingyangshen(QYS),Diphenylhydantoin(DPH),andCarbamazepine(CBZ).The results were compared with Pentylenetetrazol(PTZ)-inducedseizure model and normal saline-treated controls.No effects of QYS on the concentrationsof SS and SP were found in the rats of four-week or eight week groups.Both of DPH andPTZ increased the SS levels in the midbrain of rats in four-week gronp.DPH,CBZ,andPTZ also increased the SP levels in the cerebral cortex,striatum,and brain stem of rats ineight-week group.Our present data indicated that the central neuropeptides SS and SPwere involved in the processes of epilepsy and antiepilepsy.Since QYS did not influence thecontents of SS and SP after a long-term administration,it suggested that theanticonvulsant mechanism of QYS may be different from those of DPH and CBZ,i.e.itmay be not due to its effect on the central neuropeptide pathway.

Neuropeptide Y and nestin expression in the hippocampal CA3 region following restrained and inverted stress in rats

Our preliminary study demonstrated that neuropeptide Y （NPY）/nestin-positive cells exhibit a consistent spatial distribution in the hippocampus of normal adult rats. However, following severe acute and chronic stress-induced impaired learning and memory, synchronous decreased expression of nestin and NPY takes place in the hippocampus, and the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In the present study, acute and chronic stress rat models were established using combined restrained and inverted stress. Results showed that learning and memory significantly decreased in acute and chronic stress rats. In addition, hippocampal cells were damaged, in particular in the acute stress rats, and nestin and NPY expression, as well as the number of NPY/nestin-positive cells in the CA3 region, significantly decreased. Furthermore, mature neurofilament 200-positive neurons were absent in the chronic stress rats. The NPY and cytoskeletal protein system equally contributed to stress-induced early learning and memory deficits as well as sustained cerebral iniurv in the adult hippocampus.

Neuropeptide Y protects cerebral cortical neurons by regulating microglial immune function

Neuropeptide Y has been shown to inhibit the immunological activity of reactive microglia in the rat cerebral cortex, to reduce N-methyl-D-aspartate current（INMDA） in cortical neurons, and protect neurons. In this study, after primary cultured microglia from the cerebral cortex of rats were treated with lipopolysaccharide, interleukin-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α levels in the cell culture medium increased, and mRNA expression of these cytokines also increased. After primary cultured cortical neurons were incubated with the lipopolysaccharide-treated microglial conditioned medium, peak INMDA in neurons increased. These effects of lipopolysaccharide were suppressed by neuropeptide Y. After addition of the neuropeptide Y Y1 receptor antagonist BIBP3226, the effects of neuropeptide Y completely disappeared. These results suggest that neuropeptide Y prevents excessive production of interleukin-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α by inhibiting microglial reactivity. This reduces INMDA in rat cortical neurons, preventing excitotoxicity, thereby protecting neurons.