There is emerging evidence implicating glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) in reward, including palatable food reinforcement and alcohol-based reward circuitry. While recent findings suggest that mesolimbic structures, su...There is emerging evidence implicating glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) in reward, including palatable food reinforcement and alcohol-based reward circuitry. While recent findings suggest that mesolimbic structures, such as the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and the nucleus accumbens (NAc), are critical anatomical sites mediating the role of GLP-1’s inhibitory actions, the present study focused on the potential novel impact of GLP-1 within the habenula, a region of the forebrain expressing GLP-1 receptors. Given that the habenula has also been implicated in the neural control of reward and reinforcement, we hypothesized that this brain region, like the VTA and NAc, might mediate the anhedonic effects of GLP-1. Rats were stereotaxically implanted with guide cannula targeting the habenula and trained on a progressive ratio 3 (PR3) schedule of reinforcement. Separate rats were trained on an alcohol two-bottle choice paradigm with intermittent access. The GLP-1 agonist exendin-4 (Ex-4) was administered directly into the habenula to determine the effects on operant responding for palatable food as well as alcohol intake. Our results indicated that Ex-4 reliably suppressed PR3 responding and that this effect was dose-dependent. A similar suppressive effect on alcohol consumption was observed. These findings provide initial and compelling evidence that the habenula may mediate the inhibitory action of GLP-1 on reward, including operant and drug reward. Our findings further suggest that GLP-1 receptor mechanisms outside of the midbrain and ventral striatum are critically involved in brain reward neurotransmission.展开更多
A series of animal models are used to investigate the anti-depression mechanism of flavonoids in scutellariae radix (SR) in vivo. Depression-like behavior in mice was studied after intraperitoneal administra- tion o...A series of animal models are used to investigate the anti-depression mechanism of flavonoids in scutellariae radix (SR) in vivo. Depression-like behavior in mice was studied after intraperitoneal administra- tion of SR. The results showed that SR administered to mice by the intraperitoneal route obviously short- ened the duration in the tail suspension test and the forced swimming test, aggravated the symptoms of eyelid ptosis, akinesia, and mortality caused by reserpine, prolonged climbing times, affected the condi- tioned place preference, and increased sugar consumption in mice. However the SR did not affect the head twitches induced by 5-HTP, locomotor activity in mice, the toxicity of yohimbine, and the body temperature decrease caused by high dosage of apomorphine. The tests show that SR has some anti-depression effect related to the dopamine system. Furthermore another anti-depression mechanism was possible that could affect the mechanism of brain reward, bring positive reinforcement, and increase the sensitivity to euphoria in mice.展开更多
Most medical specialties including the field of gastroenterology are mainly aimed at treating diseases rather than preventing them. Genomic medicine studies the health/disease process based on the interaction of the h...Most medical specialties including the field of gastroenterology are mainly aimed at treating diseases rather than preventing them. Genomic medicine studies the health/disease process based on the interaction of the human genes with the environment. The gastrointestinal(GI) system is an ideal model to analyze the interaction between our genes, emotions and the gut microbiota. Based on the current knowledge, this mini-review aims to provide an integrated synopsis of this interaction to achieve a better understanding of the GI disorders related to bad eating habits and stress-related disease. Since human beings are the result of an evolutionary process, many biological processes such as instincts, emotions and behavior are interconnected to guarantee survival. Nourishment is a physiological need triggered by the instinct of survival to satisfy the body's energy demands. The brain-gut axis comprises a tightly connected neuralneuroendocrine circuitry between the hunger-satiety center, the dopaminergic reward system involved in the pleasure of eating and the gut microbiota that regulates which food we eat and emotions. However, genetic variations and the consumption of high-sugar and high-fat diets have overridden this energy/pleasure neurocircuitry to the point of addiction of several foodstuffs. Consequently, a gut dysbiosis generates inflammation and a negative emotional state may lead to chronic diseases. Balancing this altered processes to regain health may involve personalized-medicine and genome-based strategies. Thus, an integrated approach based on the understanding of the gene-emotions-gut microbiota interaction is the next frontier that awaits the gastroenterologist to prevent and treat GI disorders associated with obesity and negative emotions.展开更多
文摘There is emerging evidence implicating glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) in reward, including palatable food reinforcement and alcohol-based reward circuitry. While recent findings suggest that mesolimbic structures, such as the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and the nucleus accumbens (NAc), are critical anatomical sites mediating the role of GLP-1’s inhibitory actions, the present study focused on the potential novel impact of GLP-1 within the habenula, a region of the forebrain expressing GLP-1 receptors. Given that the habenula has also been implicated in the neural control of reward and reinforcement, we hypothesized that this brain region, like the VTA and NAc, might mediate the anhedonic effects of GLP-1. Rats were stereotaxically implanted with guide cannula targeting the habenula and trained on a progressive ratio 3 (PR3) schedule of reinforcement. Separate rats were trained on an alcohol two-bottle choice paradigm with intermittent access. The GLP-1 agonist exendin-4 (Ex-4) was administered directly into the habenula to determine the effects on operant responding for palatable food as well as alcohol intake. Our results indicated that Ex-4 reliably suppressed PR3 responding and that this effect was dose-dependent. A similar suppressive effect on alcohol consumption was observed. These findings provide initial and compelling evidence that the habenula may mediate the inhibitory action of GLP-1 on reward, including operant and drug reward. Our findings further suggest that GLP-1 receptor mechanisms outside of the midbrain and ventral striatum are critically involved in brain reward neurotransmission.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos. 90713043, 30801523, and 30973896)the Key Technologies Research and Development Program of the Eleventh Five-Year Plan of China (Nos. 2006BAI08B03-09 and 2006BAI14B05)China’s Post-doctoral Science Fund (No. 20080440418)
文摘A series of animal models are used to investigate the anti-depression mechanism of flavonoids in scutellariae radix (SR) in vivo. Depression-like behavior in mice was studied after intraperitoneal administra- tion of SR. The results showed that SR administered to mice by the intraperitoneal route obviously short- ened the duration in the tail suspension test and the forced swimming test, aggravated the symptoms of eyelid ptosis, akinesia, and mortality caused by reserpine, prolonged climbing times, affected the condi- tioned place preference, and increased sugar consumption in mice. However the SR did not affect the head twitches induced by 5-HTP, locomotor activity in mice, the toxicity of yohimbine, and the body temperature decrease caused by high dosage of apomorphine. The tests show that SR has some anti-depression effect related to the dopamine system. Furthermore another anti-depression mechanism was possible that could affect the mechanism of brain reward, bring positive reinforcement, and increase the sensitivity to euphoria in mice.
基金Supported by Prodep-Universidad de Guadalajara,No.CA-478
文摘Most medical specialties including the field of gastroenterology are mainly aimed at treating diseases rather than preventing them. Genomic medicine studies the health/disease process based on the interaction of the human genes with the environment. The gastrointestinal(GI) system is an ideal model to analyze the interaction between our genes, emotions and the gut microbiota. Based on the current knowledge, this mini-review aims to provide an integrated synopsis of this interaction to achieve a better understanding of the GI disorders related to bad eating habits and stress-related disease. Since human beings are the result of an evolutionary process, many biological processes such as instincts, emotions and behavior are interconnected to guarantee survival. Nourishment is a physiological need triggered by the instinct of survival to satisfy the body's energy demands. The brain-gut axis comprises a tightly connected neuralneuroendocrine circuitry between the hunger-satiety center, the dopaminergic reward system involved in the pleasure of eating and the gut microbiota that regulates which food we eat and emotions. However, genetic variations and the consumption of high-sugar and high-fat diets have overridden this energy/pleasure neurocircuitry to the point of addiction of several foodstuffs. Consequently, a gut dysbiosis generates inflammation and a negative emotional state may lead to chronic diseases. Balancing this altered processes to regain health may involve personalized-medicine and genome-based strategies. Thus, an integrated approach based on the understanding of the gene-emotions-gut microbiota interaction is the next frontier that awaits the gastroenterologist to prevent and treat GI disorders associated with obesity and negative emotions.