Biomedical subjects

D A Denton

Publications and source records attributed to D A Denton.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2002

Circulating relaxin acts on subfornical organ neurons to stimulate water drinking in the rat.

Relaxin, a peptide hormone secreted by the corpus luteum during pregnancy, exerts actions on reproductive tissues such as the pubic symphysis, uterus, and cervix. It may also influence body fluid balance by actions on the brain to stimulate thirst and vasopressin secretion. We mapped the sites in the brain that are activated by i.v. infusion of a dipsogenic dose of relaxin (25 microg/h) by immunohistochemically detecting Fos expression. Relaxin administration resulted in increased Fos expression in the subfornical organ (SFO), organum vasculosum of the lamina terminalis (OVLT), median preoptic nucleus, and magnocellular neurons in the supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei. Ablation of the SFO abolished relaxin-induced water drinking, but did not prevent increased Fos expression in the OVLT, supraoptic or paraventricular nuclei. Although ablation of the OVLT did not inhibit relaxin-induced drinking, it did cause a large reduction in Fos expression in the supraoptic nucleus and posterior magnocellular subdivision of the paraventricular nucleus. In vitro single-unit recording of electrical activity of neurons in isolated slices of the SFO showed that relaxin (10(-7) M) added to the perfusion medium caused marked and prolonged increase in neuronal activity. Most of these neurons also responded to 10(-7) M angiotensin II. The data indicate that blood-borne relaxin can directly stimulate neurons in the SFO to initiate water drinking. It is likely that circulating relaxin also stimulates neurons in the OVLT that influence vasopressin secretion. These two circumventricular organs that lack a blood-brain barrier may have regulatory influences on fluid balance during pregnancy in rats.

Angiotensin II↗

PubMed2002

Synergy between angiotensin and aldosterone in evoking sodium appetite in baboons.

The synergy between ANG II and aldosterone (Aldo) in the induction of salt appetite, extensively studied in rats, has been tested in baboons. ANG II was infused intracerebroventricularly at 0.5 or 1.0 microg/h; Aldo was infused subcutaneously at 20 microg/h. Separate infusions over 7 days had no significant effect on the daily intake of 300 mM NaCl. Concurrent infusions, however, increased daily NaCl intake approximately 10-fold and daily water intake approximately 2.5-fold. In addition, the combined infusions caused 1) a reduction in daily food intake, 2) changes in blood composition indicative of increased vasopressin release, and 3) changes of urinary excretion rates of cortisol and Aldo indicative of increased ACTH release. Arterial blood pressure, measured in two baboons, rose during concurrent ANG II and Aldo treatment. These results indicate a potent synergy between central ANG II and peripheral Aldo in stimulating salt appetite in baboons. At the same time, other ANG II-specific brain mechanisms concerned with water intake, food intake, vasopressin release, ACTH release, and blood pressure regulation appear to have been activated by the same type of synergy. These central enhancement processes have never been previously demonstrated in primates.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗

PubMed2002

Ingestive responses to administration of stress hormones in baboons.

Experimental stress and the administration of the stress hormone ACTH have been reported to stimulate sodium appetite in many nonprimate species. Experiments were conducted to determine whether prolonged intracerebroventricular infusions of the neuropeptides corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and urocortin (Ucn), or systemic administration of ACTH, affected ingestive behaviors in a nonhuman primate, the baboon. Intracerebroventricular infusions of CRF or Ucn significantly decreased daily food intake. The decrease with Ucn continued into the postinfusion period. These infusions did not alter daily water intake. Daily voluntary intake of 300 mM NaCl solution was not increased, and there was evidence of reductions on days 2-4 of the infusions. Intramuscular injections of porcine ACTH or synthetic ACTH (Synacthen) for 5 days did not affect daily NaCl intake, although the doses were sufficient to increase cortisol secretion and arterial blood pressure. Sodium depletion by 3 days of furosemide injections did induce a characteristic sodium appetite in the same baboons. These results demonstrate the anorexigenic action of CRF and Ucn in this primate. Also, CRF, Ucn, and ACTH did not stimulate sodium appetite at the doses used.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗

PubMed2001

Cerebral Na concentration, Na appetite and thirst of sheep: influence of somatostatin and losartan.

Na and water intakes of Na-depleted sheep are influenced by changes in cerebral Na concentration. The effect of intracerebroventricular infusion of somatostatin or losartan, the ANG II type 1 receptor antagonist, on the Na appetite and thirst of Na-depleted sheep during infusions that decrease (intracerebroventricular hypertonic mannitol) or increase (intracerebroventricular or systemic hypertonic NaCl) cerebral Na concentration was investigated. Na intake was increased but water intake was unchanged during intracerebroventricular infusion of hypertonic mannitol. The increased Na appetite caused by intracerebroventricular infusion of hypertonic mannitol was decreased by concurrent intracerebroventricular infusion of either somatostatin or losartan, with somatostatin being most effective. Water intake was increased during intracerebroventricular infusion of hypertonic mannitol and somatostatin. Na intake was decreased and water intake was increased during systemic or intracerebroventricular infusion of hypertonic NaCl. Intracerebroventricular infusion of losartan blocked both (Na and water intake), whereas somatostatin did not influence either of these changes in intake. The results further consolidate a role for somatostatin and ANG II in the central mechanisms controlling Na appetite and thirst of sheep.

Angiotensin II↗

PubMed2001

Possible contribution of brain angiotensin III to ingestive behaviors in baboons.

Recent experiments with specific aminopeptidase inhibitors in rats have strengthened earlier proposals that ANG III may be an important regulatory peptide in the brain. Central mechanisms regulating blood pressure, ingestive behaviors, and vasopressin release could be involved. Arguments in favor of a role for ANG III depend, in part, on the efficacy of ANG III as an agonist. These first studies in primates tested whether ANG III stimulates ingestive behaviors in baboons. Intracerebroventricular (ICV) infusions of ANG III were as potent as ANG II in stimulating water drinking and intake of NaCl solution. On the basis of this criterion and consistent with findings in rats, ANG III could be a main effector peptide in the regulation of ingestive behaviors in a primate.

Angiotensin II↗

PubMed2000

The inhibitory effect of hormones associated with stress on Na appetite of sheep.

Stress is a large stimulus of Na appetite in rabbits, rats, and mice. This study investigated the influence of some peptides implicated in stress, i.e., adrenocorticotropin (ACTH), corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), and the recently discovered member of the CRF family, urocortin, on the ingestive behavior of sheep. Intracerebroventricular infusion of these peptides over 4 days decreased the need-free Na intake of Na-repleted sheep. Intracerebroventricular infusion of urocortin, however, did not alter Na intake of Na-depleted sheep. Systemic infusion of ACTH increased, whereas systemic infusion of either urocortin or CRF decreased, Na intake of Na-repleted sheep. The increase in Na intake caused by the peripheral infusion of ACTH was blocked by concurrent i.v. infusion of urocortin, substantiating the inhibitory role of this peptide on Na appetite. Central administration of all peptides and i.v. administration of urocortin or urocortin and ACTH combined decreased food intake. Water intake was not directly influenced by the peptides. Rather, decreased water intake, when observed, was secondary to decreased food intake, as determined by pair-feeding experiments. Whereas systemic infusion of ACTH mimics the increase in Na intake observed in several different stressful situations, CRF and urocortin actually inhibit Na intake, indicating a direct central action overriding any effect of these peptides on ACTH release. Indeed, the inhibition of Na intake by urocortin occurred despite its stimulation of ACTH release and the subsequent increase in peripheral level of cortisol. Thus it would appear that hormones associated with stress have both excitatory and inhibitory influences on Na intake. Presumably, other physiological processes entrained by stress also will be important in determining the quantitative outcome on Na appetite.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗

PubMed2000

Modulation of urocortin-induced hypophagia and weight loss by corticotropin-releasing factor receptor 1 deficiency in mice.

Intracerebroventricular injection of CRF or urocortin (Ucn) reduces appetite and body weight. CRFR1 and CRFR2, the receptors for CRF and Ucn, are expressed in neurons associated with appetite-control and metabolism, but their relative contributions in mediating CRF- or Ucn-induced hypophagia and weight loss are not known. We used homozygous mice lacking CRFR1 (CRFR1-/-) and wild-type littermates to determine the role of CRFR1 in mediating the changes in food intake and body weight following intracerebroventricular administration of Ucn. CRFR1-/- mice, which are glucocorticoid deficient, were given corticosterone in their drinking water to induce diurnal variations in circulating corticosterone. A 7-day intracerebroventricular infusion of Ucn transiently suppressed ad libitum food intake equally in CRFR1-/- and wild-type mice. Body weight reduction during Ucn infusion paralleled food intake in wild-type mice, but persisted throughout the infusion in CRFR1-/- mice. After food-deprivation, acute intracerebroventricular injection of Ucn suppressed food intake for 1.5 h in wild-type mice. By contrast, CRFR1-/- mice did not respond to Ucn 1.5 h after injection. At later time points, Ucn suppressed food intake equally in both genotypes. The distinct time courses of CRF-receptor-induced hypophagia suggest that separate pathways act cooperatively to adjust food intake during challenges to homeostasis.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗

PubMed1999

Sodium intake and reproduction in BALB/C mice.

The effect of sodium intake on the reproductive performance of BALB/C mice was assessed in four groups of 11 or 12 mice that received ad lib access to low or higher sodium food (LSF 4-5, HSF 120-143 mmol Na+/kg). The two groups that received HSF had (mean values) 100% matings, 83 and 91% litters, 5.9 pups/litter, pups weighing 2.05 and 2.22 g (3 days after birth) and 10.47 and 10.96 g at weaning (19 days). One of the HSF groups that also had 300 mM NaCl to drink did not show any benefit. Two groups received LSF, and one of them also received 30 mM NaCl. The group given LSF only had 83% matings, 20% litters, 1.5 pups/litter, and pups that were significantly smaller at birth and at weaning. However, the LSF group given 30 mM NaCl to drink performed almost as well as the two HSF groups. The results show that (a) the daily sodium requirement for optimal reproduction was > or = 400 (micromol/day, based on voluntary sodium intake late in gestation and lactation; (b) sodium deficiency was the cause of reproductive deficiency in mice on LSF; (c) severe sodium deficiency suppressed reproduction primarily at the gestation step; (d) this deficiency could be prevented by the voluntary sodium intake of mothers with access to salt solution; and (e) pups on the LSF showed an avid innate salt appetite when offered salt solution at 12 days of age.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

PubMed1999

Angiotensin II stimulates intake of ethanol in C57BL/6J mice.

The influence of intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) infusion of angiotensin II on intake of water and ethanol solutions was determined in C57BL/6J mice. Compared to other mice, C57 mice do not show an aversion to ethanol solutions. With both water and ethanol solutions available, the C57 mice consumed 40-60% of their total daily fluid intake as ethanol solution when the concentration of ethanol solution offered was 4-14%. When given a choice between 0.3 M KCl and either 4 or 10% ethanol solution, the mice clearly preferred the ethanol solution. With water only available, i.c.v. infusion of angiotensin II increased intake from 3-5 mL/day (baseline) to 11-12 mL/ day (Day 4 of infusion). A similar increase in intake occurred in mice with access to a nonpreferred solution of 0.3 M KCl. In comparison, when only 4% ethanol solution was available, angiotensin II increased intake to 7-8 mL/day, and when only 10% ethanol solution was available, intake was transiently increased. The results demonstrated that thirst for water caused by i.c.v. infusion of angiotensin II in C57 mice is similar to that observed in BALB/C mice. Unlike BALB/C mice, however, i.c.v. infusion of angiotensin II stimulated intake of ethanol solution. The failure of angiotensin II to cause a large increase in 4% ethanol solution or a sustained increase in 10% ethanol solution intake does not seem to be caused by an aversion to the taste of ethanol solution, but most likely due to postingestional factors.

Alcohol Drinking↗

PubMed1999

Intracerebroventricular infusion of angiotensin II increases water and ethanol intake in rats.

The influence of prolonged ingestion of ethanol on stimulation of water or ethanol intake by intracerebroventricular infusion of ANG II was evaluated in rats. Animals were maintained for 5-6 mo with either 10% ethanol solution or water as their only source of fluid. In both groups of rats, infusion of ANG II caused a large increase in water intake (7-fold) and a lesser increase in 10% ethanol intake (2-fold). The effect of ANG II on the volume of ethanol solution ingested, however, was inversely related to the concentration of the ethanol solution. As the concentration of ethanol solution was decreased, frequency and duration of drinking bouts increased. The intake of sweetened 10% ethanol solution or commercially produced wine during infusion of ANG II was similar to the intake of 10% ethanol and not related to taste preference. In conclusion, chronic consumption of ethanol solution did not appear to adversely effect ANG II stimulation of water intake. The intake of ethanol solution during infusion of ANG II was inhibited by a direct effect of ingested ethanol and/or by indirect effect from metabolized ethanol.

Alcohol Drinking↗

PubMed1999

Effect of adrenocorticotrophic hormone on sodium appetite in mice.

A main vector of the effects of stress is secretion of corticotrophin releasing factor (CRF), adrenocorticotrophin (ACTH), and adrenal steroids. Systemic administration of ACTH (2.8 microgram/day sc) for 7 days in BALB/c mice caused a very large increase of voluntary intake of 0.3 M NaCl equivalent to turnover of total body sodium content each day. Intracerebroventricular infusion of ACTH (20 ng/day) had no effect. Intracerebroventricular infusion of ovine CRF (10 ng/h for 7 days) caused an increase of sodium intake. The large sodium appetite-stimulating effect of systemic ACTH was not influenced by concurrent systemic infusion of captopril (2 mg/day). Induction of stress by immobilization of mice on a running wheel caused an increase in Na appetite associated with a 50% decrease of thymus weight, indicative of corticosteroid effects. The present data suggest that stress and the hormone cascade initiated by stress evoke a large sodium appetite in mice, which may be an important survival mechanism in environmental conditions causing stress.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗

PubMed1998

Evidence that brain angiotensin II is involved in both thirst and sodium appetite in baboons.

The roles of ANG II in the brain mechanisms subserving thirst and Na appetite in baboons were investigated by chronic intracerebroventricular infusions of ANG II and AT1-receptor antagonists using subcutaneous miniosmotic pumps and by oral administration of captopril. ANG II at 3 or 5 micrograms/h for 7 days increased water intake from 2,455 +/- 107 to 7,052 +/- 562 ml/day by day 6 and 300 mM NaCl intake from 8.3 +/- 1.1 to 275 +/- 87 mmol/day by day 5. Concurrent intracerebroventricular losartan (300 micrograms/h) did not substantially reduce these responses, but they were abolished by intracerebroventricular ZD-7155 (50 micrograms/h). The increase of 300 mM NaCl intake when it was offered after intramuscular injection of furosemide, 2 mg . kg-1 . day-1 for 3 days, was unaltered by intracerebroventricular losartan (300 micrograms/h) but was reduced by intracerebroventricular ZD-7155 (50 micrograms/h) infused throughout Na depletion/repletion; oral captopril (1 g, 3 and 18 h before access to 300 mM NaCl) also reduced NaCl intake. Restriction of water intake to 25% of daily intake for 3 days caused a high intake of water on day 4, and this was reduced by intracerebroventricular losartan (300 micrograms/h) infused throughout the period of water restriction/rehydration. These novel results in a primate species suggest that brain ANG II is involved in both thirst and Na appetite, acting via AT1 receptors.

Administration, Oral↗

PubMed1997

Physiological response to long-term peripheral and central leptin infusion in lean and obese mice.

Recent data have identified leptin as an afferent signal in a negative-feedback loop regulating the mass of the adipose tissue. High leptin levels are observed in obese humans and rodents, suggesting that, in some cases, obesity is the result of leptin insensitivity. This hypothesis was tested by comparing the response to peripherally and centrally administered leptin among lean and three obese strains of mice: diet-induced obese AKR/J, New Zealand Obese (NZO), and Ay. Subcutaneous leptin infusion to lean mice resulted in a dose-dependent loss of body weight at physiologic plasma levels. Chronic infusions of leptin intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.) at doses of 3 ng/hr or greater resulted in complete depletion of visible adipose tissue, which was maintained throughout 30 days of continuous i.c.v. infusion. Direct measurement of energy balance indicated that leptin treatment did not increase total energy expenditure but prevented the decrease that follows reduced food intake. Diet-induced obese mice lost weight in response to peripheral leptin but were less sensitive than lean mice. NZO mice were unresponsive to peripheral leptin but were responsive to i.c.v. leptin. Ay mice did not respond to subcutaneous leptin and were 1/100 as sensitive to i.c.v. leptin. The decreased response to leptin in diet-induced obese, NZO, and Ay mice suggests that obesity in these strains is the result of leptin resistance. In NZO mice, leptin resistance may be the result of decreased transport of leptin into the cerebrospinal fluid, whereas in Ay mice, leptin resistance probably results from defects downstream of the leptin receptor in the hypothalamus.

Administration, Cutaneous↗

PubMed1997

Na depletion-induced Na appetite of sheep is independent of brain angiotensin II.

Previous experiments indicated that the Na appetite of Na-deplete sheep is decreased by systemically administered captopril. The assumption that captopril does not readily cross the blood-brain barrier, lead to the conclusion that circulating ANG II acting in brain areas without a blood-brain barrier, i.e., circumventricular organs such as the subfornical organ or organum vasculosum of the lamina terminalis, contributes to Na appetite induced by Na depletion. The present experiments investigated the possibility that systemically administered captopril does, in fact, cross the blood-brain-barrier and thereby influence brain angiotensin II formation and that brain angiotensin II contributes to Na depletion-induced Na appetite of sheep. The results showed that systemically administered captopril blocked water intake caused by intracerebroventricular infusion of angiotensin I, and that Na depletion induced Na appetite was not decreased by intracerebroventricular infusion of various antagonists of the renin-angiotensin system. Thus, the results suggest that although captopril crosses the blood-brain-barrier and can influence the formation of brain angiotensin II, brain angiotensin II is not involved in the Na appetite of Na-deplete sheep.

Angiotensin II↗

PubMed1997

Role of brain angiotensin in thirst and sodium appetite of rats.

The role of brain angiotensin II (ANG II) in water, Na and food intake of rats was studied. Intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) infusion (100 micrograms/h) of the non-peptide ANG II receptor antagonist losartan (type 1), but not PD123319 (type 2), completely blocked water intake caused by i.c.v. infusion of ANG II at 50 ng/h. Following food deprivation, food intake was reduced by PD123319 and associated water intake was decreased by losartan or PD123319. Neither water intake after water deprivation nor Na intake after Na depletion was altered by losartan or PD123319. In conclusion, evidence was consistent with a role for brain ANG II in both food and water intake after food deprivation but not in thirst subsequent to water deprivation or Na intake after Na depletion alone.

Angiotensin II↗

PubMed1997

Central infusion of the AT1 receptor antagonist losartan inhibits thirst but not sodium appetite in cattle.

Experiments in cattle compared the effects of intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) infusions of losartan and PD-123319 on water intake caused by water restriction, i.c.v. infusion of hypertonic NaCl, or i.c.v. infusion of angiotensin II (ANG II). The effects of these receptor antagonists on sodium intake caused by sodium depletion were also examined. Losartan infusion caused dose-dependent inhibition of the high water intake caused by the physiological stimulus of water restriction or by ANG II infusion but did not affect salt appetite. PD-123319 infused at equimolar or greater (in ANG II experiments) doses did not affect water intake or salt intake due to sodium depletion. The results of these i.c.v. infusion experiments confirm our earlier proposal that the physiological regulation of water intake in cattle may be mediated by ANG II acting centrally via AT1 receptors. The dose of losartan that inhibited thirst in cattle did not inhibit sodium appetite, nor did an equimolar dose of PD-123319.

Angiotensin II↗

PubMed1997

Role of brain angiotensin II in thirst and sodium appetite of sheep.

The contribution of brain angiotensin II (ANG II) to thirst and Na+ appetite of sheep was evaluated. Thirst was stimulated by water deprivation, intracarotid or intracerebroventricular infusion of ANG II, or intracarotid or intracerebroventricular infusion of hypertonic solution. Intracerebroventricular infusion, over 1-3 h, of the ANG II type 1 (AT1) receptor antagonist, losartan, decreased or abolished water intake caused by all of the stimuli tested. Intracerebroventricular infusion of ZD-7155, another AT1-receptor antagonist, blocked ANG II-induced water intake. Neither losartan nor ZD-7155 infused intracerebroventricularly altered the Na+ appetite of Na(+)-depleted sheep. Intracerebroventricular infusion of losartan over 3 h, however, did block the increase in water intake and the decrease in Na+ intake caused by intracerebroventricular infusion of hypertonic NaCl in Na(+)-depleted sheep. Intracerebroventricular infusion of the ANG II type 2 (AT2) receptor antagonist, PD-123319, over 1-3 h, did not alter ANG II-induced water intake or Na+ depletion-induced Na+ intake. These results are consistent with the proposition that brain ANG II, working via AT1 receptors, is involved in the neural system controlling some aspects of physiological thirst and Na+ appetite. A role for AT2 receptors in physiological thirst or Na+ appetite is not supported by the present results.

Analysis of Variance↗

PubMed1996

The role of angiotensin II in ingestive behaviour: a brief review of angiotensin II, thirst and Na appetite.

From the outset, the study of angiotensin II (Ang II) in body fluid homeostasis has been both complicated and intriguing. Since the publication of an early report of the dipsogenic action of this peptide, the pursuit of the role of Ang II in thirst and Na appetite has continued for the last 25 years. This pursuit captured the attention of all workers interested in the behavioural/physiological regulation of body fluid balance, with major contributions being made by James T. Fitzsimons and his colleagues. In spite of its powerful dipsogenic actions, delineation of its precise role in physiological thirst has been elusive and difficult to demonstrate. The influence of Ang II on Na intake took longer to show convincingly. However, in contrast to thirst, the role of Ang II in physiological Na appetite has been demonstrated clearly. The technological advances made during the recent years have greatly increased our ability to delineate the neurobiological context of Ang II-mediated responses. Thus, the future is promising in regard to illuminating the subtleties of the role of Ang II in body fluid balance.

Angiotensin II↗