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N Barden

Publications and source records attributed to N Barden.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMed1988

Glucocorticoid receptor gene expression in rat pituitary gland intermediate lobe following ovariectomy.

Using hybridization techniques and Northern blots we have identified a approximately 6.5 kb glucocorticoid receptor mRNA species in rat pituitary intermediate lobe. Glucocorticoid receptor mRNA concentrations, which are barely detectable or undetectable in normal animals, were greatly increased following ovariectomy. This ovariectomy-induced increase in glucocorticoid receptor mRNA content of the intermediate lobe, which was confirmed by in situ hybridization experiments, could be reversed by 17 beta-estradiol administration.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Effect of luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) and [D-Trp6, des-Gly-NH2(10)]LHRH ethylamide on alpha-subunit and LH beta messenger ribonucleic acid levels in rat anterior pituitary cells in culture.

The effect of incubation with LHRH and its agonist [D-Trp6, des-Gly-NH2(10)]LHRH ethylamide has been measured on the concentrations of mRNAs for the common alpha-subunit of glycoprotein hormones and beta-LH in rat anterior pituitary cells in primary culture. After incubation, total RNA was analyzed by Northern blot or dot blot hybridization with alpha- and LH beta 32P-labeled cRNA probes and mRNA levels were quantified by autoradiography. Short-term treatment (4-6 h) of pituitary cells with 100 nM LHRH led to a marked stimulation of LH release but no effect was observed on alpha-subunit or LH beta mRNA levels. Longer (24-72 h) incubation periods with LHRH led to complete desensitization of the LH response to the neurohormone and induced 2- to 3-fold increases in alpha-mRNA cell content while LH beta mRNA levels remained unchanged. Maximal induction of alpha mRNA accumulation was observed with an LHRH concentration as low as 0.1 nM. Incubation with the LHRH agonist [D-Trp6, des-Gly-NH2(10)]LHRH ethylamide for 24-72 h also increased alpha mRNA but did not modify LH-beta mRNA levels. It is concluded that long-term exposure of anterior pituitary cells to LHRH or to an LHRH agonist positively regulates alpha-subunit gene expression in the absence of change in LH beta mRNA levels. This observation can provide an explanation for the high plasma levels of free alpha-subunits found in patients treated chronically with LHRH agonists.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Glucocorticoid regulation of proopiomelanocortin messenger ribonucleic acid content of rat hypothalamus.

We have verified the possibility that the POMC gene of the rat hypothalamus might be subject to regulation by glucocorticoids. Adrenalectomy increased the concentration of POMC mRNA in anterior pituitary and in hypothalamus, but not in the neurointermediate lobe of the pituitary gland. Dexamethasone and, to a slightly lesser extent, corticosterone treatments reversed the adrenalectomy-induced increase in POMC mRNA concentrations in both anterior pituitary and hypothalamus. Dexamethasone caused a slight decrease of POMC mRNA levels in the neurointermediate lobe of the pituitary gland, while corticosterone had no effect. These results indicate that the POMC gene of the rat brain hypothalamus is also under negative control by glucocorticoids.

Adrenalectomy↗
PubMed1987

Impaired regulation of neurohypophyseal vasopressin secretion in rats treated neonatally with monosodium-L-glutamate.

Monosodium-L-glutamate (MSG) lesioning of the arcuate nucleus (ARC) was utilized to elucidate the importance of its dopaminergic system for regulation of neurohypophyseal vasopressin (AVP) secretion. Water deprivation in control animals elicited a rise in plasma AVP and depletion of neurohypophyseal AVP, at unchanged AVP contents of the paraventricular (PVN) and supraoptic (SON) nuclei. Dopaminergic activity was markedly stimulated in the PVN and ARC. Neonatal MSG treatment resulted in elevated plasma AVP levels at reduced neurohypophyseal AVP due to diminished dopaminergic input from the ARC. When MSG treated animals were subjected to dehydration, none of the changes in plasma/neurohypophyseal AVP and dopamine metabolism in the PVN and ARC observed in control animals were seen. These results suggest that the ARC plays an important role in the dopaminergic control of neurohypophyseal AVP secretion.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗
PubMed1987

Effect of transient neonatal hypothyroidism on the free aspartic acid, glutamic acid, and GABA content of different central auditory regions in the rat.

The aspartic acid, glutamic acid, and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) contents were determined in four central auditory system regions in rats with transient neonatal hypothyroidism compared with control ones: the ventral and dorsal parts of the cochlear nucleus, the central nucleus of the inferior colliculus, the auditory cortex, and in an extra-auditory structure, the substantia nigra pars reticulata. The animals were sacrificed at 50 days of age, brain tissue samples were taken out by microdissection, and the free amino acids were extracted. The amino acid content was assessed by double-isotope labelling following two-dimensional thin-layer chromatography separation. GABA content was significantly decreased in both cochlear nucleus regions and glutamic acid was elevated in the inferior colliculus. Neonatal hypothyroidism had no significant effect on the aspartic acid levels in the regions studied. The results suggest an effect of neonatal hypothyroidism on regional contents of free amino acids known as candidate neurotransmitters in the auditory system.

Animals↗
PubMed1987

Participation of the central amygdaloid nucleus in the response of adrenocorticotropin secretion to immobilization stress: opposing roles of the noradrenergic and dopaminergic systems.

Bilateral lesions of the amygdaloid central nucleus (ACE) significantly diminished the secretion of ACTH in response to immobilization stress. Stress is associated with increased noradrenergic activity in the ACE and in the anterior and lateral hypothalamic areas. In comparison with intact stressed animals, lesion of the ACE reduced the noradrenergic activity in response to stress within the anterior and lateral hypothalamic areas, the arcuate and paraventricular nuclei of the hypothalamus and the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis. These results support the hypothesis of a stimulatory role for the noradrenergic system in the ACE on ACTH secretion. Stress decreased dopaminergic activity in the ACE, the cortical nucleus of the amygdala, the dorsomedial and ventromedial nuclei of the hypothalamus and the ventral tegmental area. In comparison with intact stressed rats, lesion of the ACE reduced dopaminergic activity in the anterior and lateral hypothalamic areas. Our results support the hypothesis of an inhibitory role of the dopaminergic system, particularly in the ACE, on ACTH secretion. This study also indicates that, in the control of ACTH secretion in response to immobilization stress, the noradrenergic and dopaminergic systems act in opposition to one another in certain brain structures such as the anterior and lateral hypothalamic areas and the ACE.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗
PubMed1987

Estrogen-induced decrease of glucocorticoid receptor messenger ribonucleic acid concentration in rat anterior pituitary gland.

Using Northern blots and hybridization techniques, we have identified an approximately 6.5 kilobase glucocorticoid receptor mRNA species in rat anterior pituitary gland. Ovariectomy resulted in an approximately 2-fold increase in glucocorticoid receptor mRNA concentrations. This effect was maximal 8 days after surgery and glucocorticoid receptor mRNA levels remained elevated for at least up to 4 weeks. Administration of 17-beta-estradiol completely reversed the ovariectomy-induced increase in glucocorticoid receptor mRNA content of pituitary gland. Treatment of rats with corticosterone did not influence the ovariectomy-induced increase in glucocorticoid receptor mRNA content, indicating that this increase is not mediated via effects on circulating glucocorticoid levels or availability. In situ hybridization experiments confirmed the ovariectomy-induced increase in glucocorticoid receptor mRNA content and indicated that this action is widely distributed throughout the anterior pituitary gland.

Adrenalectomy↗
PubMed1986

Ontogeny of receptors for thyrotropin-releasing hormone in the rat brain.

Developmental changes in the thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) receptor concentrations of hypothalamic and certain extrahypothalamic structures in the rat were evaluated from 2 days after birth until sexual maturity. The maturational pattern of TRH receptors in hypothalamus, striatum and amygdala follow that of the pituitary and all show the same kinetic properties. The developmental pattern also coincides with that of other components of the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis. In all tissues, the concentration of receptors increased in early life to reach a maximum between 10 and 30 days of age and then decreased gradually to adult values. Development of TRH receptors reflected changes in the number of receptor sites but not in binding affinity, which remained constant and suggests that the TRH receptor is identical in all 4 tissues studied. These results indicate the parallel development of pituitary and central nervous system TRH receptors.

Aging↗
PubMed1986

Dynorphin 1-8 binds to opiate kappa receptors in the neurohypophysis.

In order to clarify the effects of endogenous opiate peptides on the vasopressin system, we have investigated the presence of different opiate receptor subtypes in the neurohypophysis by radioreceptor assay and autoradiography. [3H]-etorphine binding to membrane preparations revealed the presence of high- and low-affinity binding sites (KD, 1.2 nM and 8.1 nM). Displacement of [3H]-etorphine by opiate receptor subtype-specific ligands gave the following results: the preferential mu agonists DAGO (Tyr-D-Ala-Gly-NMe-Phe-Gly-oL) and the tetrapeptide morphiceptin did not displace etorphine; the preferential sigma receptor agonists DADLE (D-Ala2,D-Leu5-enkephalin) or DSTLE (D-Ser2,Leu5,Thr6-enkephalin) and beta-endorphin, a preferential agonist of the epsilon receptor, displaced [3H]-etorphine from its low-affinity site only, and dynorphin 1-8, a preferential kappa agonist, displaced [3H]-etorphine from its high-affinity binding site. Film autoradiography of neurohypophyseal sections incubated with [3H]-etorphine showed a displacement of 30% of the labeled ligand by unlabeled dynorphin 1-8. Exposure of rat neurointermediate lobes in organ culture to dynorphin 1-8 caused a small but significant stimulation of vasopressin release. These results demonstrate the existence of dynorphin 1-8 sensitive opiate receptors of the kappa subtype in the neurohypophysis and their possible involvement in vasopressin release.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Control of ACTH secretion by the central nucleus of the amygdala: implication of the serotoninergic system and its relevance to the glucocorticoid delayed negative feedback mechanism.

The possible implication of the amygdaloid central nucleus (ACE) of the rat in the control of ACTH secretion in response to immobilization stress was assessed. The ACTH secretion, in response to stress and/or bilateral lesions of the ACE, was correlated with the serotoninergic activity in specific hypothalamic and amygdaloid nuclei. Bilateral lesions of the ACE produced a striking decrease of plasma ACTH levels in response to stress. However, basal plasma ACTH levels measured between 7 and 11 a.m. were identical in both control and lesioned groups. Stress, applied to intact animals, did not modify the serotoninergic activity in any of the following areas: hypothalamic paraventricular (PVH), ventromedial (VMH) and dorsomedial (DMH) nuclei; the anterior hypothalamic area (AHA); the lateral part of the basal amygdaloid nucleus (ABL), the amygdaloid medial (AME) and cortical (ACO) nuclei. However, lesion of the ACE increased the serotoninergic activity in all these structures except for the VMH. Immobilization stress applied to lesioned animals decreased the serotoninergic activity to control levels in the PVH, AHA and DMH and decreased the activity to below control levels in the VMH. The serotoninergic activity remained at an increased level in the glucocorticoid receptor-rich areas of the amygdala, namely the AME, ACO and ABL nuclei. These results provide evidence for a stimulatory role of the central nucleus of the amygdala in the control of ACTH secretion. Moreover, they substantiate an implication of the amygdaloid complex in the control of the delayed negative feedback of glucocorticoids on ACTH secretion via interaction with the serotoninergic system.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗
PubMed1985

Decreased tuberoinfundibular and pituitary dopamine and dihydroxyphenylacetic acid concentrations in rats with estrogen-induced pituitary tumors.

The majority of pituitary adenomas are prolactin (PRL)-secreting, but it is still uncertain whether their pathogenesis results from a central nervous system (CNS) disturbance or autonomous lactotroph growth and function. We have measured dopamine (DA) and dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) concentrations in rats bearing estradiol-induced PRL-secreting pituitary tumors. Female rats, injected at 3-week intervals with 2 mg estradiol valerate (EV), had increased plasma prolactin concentrations, up to 3 micrograms/ml, at 31 weeks. Inversely, there was a reduction of DA and DOPAC in the median eminence and arcuate nucleus as well as a decreased DOPAC/DA ratio in the arcuate nucleus. DA-containing nuclei in the other parts of the brain were not affected. Anterior pituitary weight increased while its DA concentration decreased during estradiol treatment. In the neurohypophysis, DA concentrations were unchanged while DOPAC and the ratio DOPAC/DA decreased following the estrogen treatment. Our data suggest that rats with primary estrogen-induced PRL-secreting tumors have a defect in the CNS-DA neurotransmission.

3,4-Dihydroxyphenylacetic Acid↗
PubMed1985

Implication of the serotoninergic system in the decreased ACTH response to stress after lesion of the amygdaloid central nucleus.

The present study was designed to ascertain the possible implication of the serotoninergic system and the central amygdaloid nucleus in the control of ACTH secretion in response to immobilization stress. The response to immobilization stress of intact and lesioned animals was studied by monitoring the plasma and pituitary ACTH concentration and the activity of the serotoninergic system within specific hypothalamic and amygdaloid nuclei. Bilateral lesions of the central nucleus of the amygdala significantly decreased the secretion of ACTH in response to immobilization. Moreover, the serotoninergic activity in most of the hypothalamic and in all the amygdaloid nuclei studied was greatly increased. A 60-min immobilization stress prevented this increase in the hypothalamic nuclei but not in the amygdala. These results indicate that the central nucleus of the amygdala participates in the regulation of ACTH secretion in response to immobilization stress. Furthermore, they substantiate the hypothesis of a participation of the serotoninergic system in limbic areas, particularly in nuclei which contain neurons possessing glucocorticoid receptors such as the medial, basomedial and cortical amygdaloid nuclei.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗
PubMed1984

Estradiol increases dopamine turnover in intermediate and posterior pituitary lobes of ovariectomized rats.

Dopamine levels were specifically increased in the intermediate lobe of the pituitary gland of ovariectomized rats following acute 17-beta-estradiol administration. Estradiol treatment increased the dopamine turnover rate 10-fold in the intermediate lobe and 2-fold in the posterior lobe of ovariectomized rats. In contrast, estrogen treatment had no effect on the endogenous levels or the turnover rate of norepinephrine in these tissues. Our results suggest that estrogens can selectively modulate dopamine metabolism in the posterior and intermediate lobes of the rat pituitary gland.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Effect of acute and chronic 17 beta-estradiol treatment on serotonin and 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid content of discrete brain nuclei of ovariectomized rat.

Increased serotonin content of the dorsal raphe nucleus and of the substantia nigra were seen following acute (12 h or 24 h) administration of 17 beta-estradiol to ovariectomized rats. No changes were seen in numerous other nuclei of forebrain or hindbrain, and no changes occurred during chronic (1 month) estradiol administration. Changes in the concentration of the major serotonin metabolite, 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid, paralleled those of serotonin. These results show that, under precisely defined conditions and in specific locations only, estradiol can modulate serotonergic neuronal systems.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Distribution of corticotropin-releasing factor in ovine brain determined by radioimmunoassay.

We have developed and used a sensitive and specific radioimmunoassay to demonstrate the presence of CRF-like immunoreactivity in extra-hypothalamic areas of ovine brain. Synthetic CRF displaced antibody bound tracer at an ED50 value of 200 pg and there was no cross-reactivity with LHRH, TRH, ACTH, beta-endorphin and several other peptides. Displacement of bound 125I-CRF by brain extracts exhibited curves parallel to synthetic CRF standards. Highest concentrations (1 ng/mg tissue) of CRF-like immunoreactivity were found in the median eminence but surprisingly, high concentrations of CRF-like immunoreactivity were found in frontal, parietal, occipital and particularly temporal areas of cerebral cortex. Much lower concentrations were found in other brain areas including the basal ganglia, limbic system and brain stem.

Animals↗
PubMed1983

Perturbation of rat brain serotonergic systems results in an inverse relation between substance P and serotonin concentrations measured in discrete nuclei.

Since substance P (SP) has been demonstrated to coexist with serotonin (5-HT) in the same population of neurons in the descending raphe system, we have studied the possibility of interactions between these neurotransmitters in other brain areas. Brain nuclei were punched from frozen 300-micron slices of rat brain and extracted with 0.1 M HCIO4 or 2 M acetic acid prior to assay, respectively, of 5-HT content by HPLC with electrochemical detection or SP content by specific radioimmunoassay. Ten days after injection of rats with the 5-HT neurotoxin P-chloroamphetamine (PCA, 10 mg/kg, B.W., i.p.) or 3 days after 5-HT synthesis blockade with p-chlorophenylalanine (PCPA, 300 mg/kg, B.W., i.p.), the 5-HT content of all brain nuclei studied was reduced by means of, respectively, 50% and 81%. In PCA-treated animals, the SP content of the periaqueductal grey matter was significantly increased; PCPA treatment caused, in addition, large increases in the SP content of five other brain nuclei. Blockade of 5-HT receptors by methysergide (15 mg/kg for 5 days) did not significantly change 5-HT levels or turnover, but resulted in 50-200% increases in the SP content of 10 of the 28 brain nuclei studied. Significant decreases in the SP content of numerous areas were seen following treatments (pargyline 30 mg/kg, alone or in combination with 5-hydroxytryptophan, 60 mg/kg) that simultaneously increased 5-HT levels. These results illustrate the modulation of distinct SP-containing systems of the rat brain by perturbation of central serotoninergic pathways and indicate a reciprocal relationship between the SP and 5-HT concentrations of numerous brain nuclei, in particular n. striae terminalis, n. raphe dorsalis, n. accumbens, n. septi, substantia grisea centralis, and n. raphes medianus.

Animals↗
PubMed1982

Affinity chromatography of human platelet alpha 2-adrenergic receptors.

Catecholamines, such as epinephrine, inhibit the enzyme adenylate cyclase (EC 4.6.1.1) via a specific receptor mechanism involving alpha(2)-adrenergic receptors. In order to facilitate purification of these inhibitory receptors we have prepared a highly effective biospecific affinity adsorbent. The immobilized ligand SKF 101253 is a 3-benzazepine with alpha(2)-adrenergic antagonist activity. SKF 101253 is coupled to Sepharose CL-4B by using a bifunctional reagent (1,4-butanediol diglycidyl ether) which also provides a hydrophilic spacer moiety between the ligand and the gel matrix. Membranes from human platelets, containing alpha(2)-adrenergic receptors, can be specifically labeled with [(3)H]yohimbine and can be solubilized with digitonin without loss of their alpha(2)-adrenergic binding characteristics. Chromatography of solubilized human platelet membrane preparations on the SKF 101253-Sepharose CL-4B affinity gel results in the adsorption of 70-80% of the initial [(3)H]yohimbine binding activity. Adsorption to the affinity gel is blocked by both alpha-adrenergic antagonists (phentolamine >/= yohimbine > prazosin) and by alpha-adrenergic agonists [p-aminoclonidine > (-)-epinephrine > (+)-epinephrine]. Similarly, elution of specific [(3)H]yohimbine binding activity from the affinity gel is effected with the aforementioned agonists and antagonists in the same order of potency. Other drugs that do not interact appreciably with alpha-adrenergic receptors, such as (-)-isoproterenol, (-)-alprenolol, atropine, and carbachol, are ineffective for both the blockade of adsorption and the elution of specific [(3)H]yohimbine binding activity from the affinity gel. In addition to the specificity of the interaction, chromatography of solubilized human platelet membrane preparations on the SKF 101253-Sepharose CL-4B affinity gel results in a 40-50% overall yield and an approximately 200-fold increase in the specific binding activity for [(3)H]yohimbine. The results indicate that the SKF 101253-Sepharose CL-4B affinity adsorbent should provide a powerful tool for the purification of the adenylate cyclase-inhibitory alpha(2)-adrenergic receptor of human platelets.

Adrenergic alpha-Agonists↗