Physiological Role of Neuropeptides in the Mammalian Pineal Gland

Author(s):  
Val�rie Simonneaux ◽  
Christophe Ribelayga ◽  
Jesus M. Miguez ◽  
Paul P�vet
2015 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-61 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Ziółkowska ◽  
B. Lewczuk ◽  
B. Przybylska-Gornowicz

Abstract Norepinephrine (NE) released from the sympathetic nerve endings is the main neurotransmitter controlling melatonin synthesis in the mammalian pineal gland. Although neuropeptide Y (NPY) co-exists with NE in the pineal sympathetic nerve fibers it also occurs in a population of non-adrenergic nerve fibers located in this gland. The role of NPY in pineal physiology is still enigmatic. The present study characterizes the effect of NPY on the depolarization-evoked 3H-NE release from the pig pineal explants. The explants of the pig pineal gland were loaded with 3H-NE in the presence of pargyline and superfused with Tyrode medium. They were exposed twice to the modified Tyrode medium containing 60 mM of K+ to evoke the 3H-NE release via depolarization. NPY, specific agonists of Y1- and Y2-receptors and pharmacologically active ligands of α2-adrenoceptors were added to the medium before and during the second depolarization. The radioactivity was measured in medium fractions collected every 2 minutes during the superfusion. NPY (0.1 – 10 μM) significantly decreased the depolarization-induced 3H-NE release. Similar effect was observed after the treatment with Y2-agonist: NPY13-36, but not with Y1-agonist: [Leu31, Pro34]-NPY. The tritium overflow was lower in the explants exposed to the 5 μM NPY and 1 μM rauwolscine than to rauwolscine only. The effects of 5 μM NPY and 0.05 μM UK 14,304 on the depolarization-evoked 3H-NE release were additive. The results show that NPY is involved in the regulation of NE release from the sympathetic terminals in the pig pineal gland, inhibiting this process via Y2-receptors.


1996 ◽  
Vol 42 (6) ◽  
pp. 40-41
Author(s):  
V. N. Anisimov

Despite the rapid progress of endocrinology in the last quarter of the 20th century, it should be noted that no other gland of internal secretion, to the extent that the pineal gland, is honored to be "titular" in the scientific community or scientific journal. Indeed, the European Society for the Study of the Pituitary Gland has been actively working for many years, the Melatonin Club was founded, the Journal of Pineal Research, Advances in Pineal Research, and the European Pineal Society News are published, and international conferences and symposiums are held annually in the last decade. dedicated to the pineal gland and melatonin. The rapid development of chronobiology led to the establishment of the leading role of the pineal gland and its main hormone melatonin in the implementation of the circadian, seasonal and annual rhythms of many functional systems of the body. The monograph under review, written by the famous English researcher of the pineal gland, Josephine Arendt, is a unique publication in which one author has systematized and critically analyzed the vast amount of factual material accumulated to date on the physiological effects and mechanisms of action of melatonin. The book consists of 9 chapters, unequal both in volume and in terms of circle and the importance of the issues addressed in them. The very brief chapter 1 summarizes the history of the study of the pineal gland and the discovery of melatonin and its functions in the body. Unfortunately, there was no place in it to mention such important events as the first description of the morphological picture of the hypofunction of the pineal gland (B.P. Kucherenko, 1941), the pioneering study of A.M. Khelimsky, who in 1953 first came to conclusion about age-related involution of the pineal gland.


2012 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 100
Author(s):  
Wei HUANG ◽  
Shi-Bao ZHANG ◽  
Kun-Fang CAO

2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (23) ◽  
pp. 2627-2636 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vincenzo Calderone ◽  
Alma Martelli ◽  
Eugenia Piragine ◽  
Valentina Citi ◽  
Lara Testai ◽  
...  

In the last four decades, the several classes of diuretics, currently available for clinical use, have been the first line option for the therapy of widespread cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular diseases. Diuretic drugs generally exhibit an overall favourable risk/benefit balance. However, they are not devoid of side effects. In particular, all the classes of diuretics cause alteration of potassium homeostasis. <p> In recent years, understanding of the physiological role of the renal outer medullary potassium (ROMK) channels, has shown an intriguing pharmacological target for developing an innovative class of diuretic agents: the ROMK inhibitors. This novel class is expected to promote diuretic activity comparable to (or even higher than) that provided by the most effective drugs used in clinics (such as furosemide), with limited effects on potassium homeostasis. <p> In this review, the physio-pharmacological roles of ROMK channels in the renal function are reported, along with the most representative molecules which have been currently developed as ROMK inhibitors.


2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (11) ◽  
pp. 5575
Author(s):  
Agnieszka Markiewicz ◽  
Dawid Sigorski ◽  
Mateusz Markiewicz ◽  
Agnieszka Owczarczyk-Saczonek ◽  
Waldemar Placek

Caspase-14 is a unique member of the caspase family—a family of molecules participating in apoptosis. However, it does not affect this process but regulates another form of programmed cell death—cornification, which is characteristic of the epidermis. Therefore, it plays a crucial role in the formation of the skin barrier. The cell death cycle has been a subject of interest for researchers for decades, so a lot of research has been done to expand the understanding of caspase-14, its role in cell homeostasis and processes affecting its expression and activation. Conversely, it is also an interesting target for clinical researchers searching for its role in the physiology of healthy individuals and its pathophysiology in particular diseases. A summary was done in 2008 by Denecker et al., concentrating mostly on the biotechnological aspects of the molecule and its physiological role. However, a lot of new data have been reported, and some more practical and clinical research has been conducted since then. The majority of studies tackled the issue of clinical data presenting the role of caspase in the etiopathology of many diseases such as retinal dysfunctions, multiple malignancies, and skin conditions. This review summarizes the available knowledge on the molecular and, more interestingly, the clinical aspects of caspase-14. It also presents how theoretical science may pave the way for medical research. Methods: The authors analyzed publications available on PubMed until 21 March 2021, using the search term “caspase 14”.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document