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Linking stress with urocortin in rats
Manikandan Balraj1, Ankamma Sarvepalli2, Bijoya Chatterjee3
1Department of Physiology, Konaseema Institute Medical Science and Research Foundation, Amalapuram, East Gothawri - 533201, Andhra Pradesh, India.
Bioinformation
|December 4, 2023
Summary
Chronic variable stress alters brain urocortin (UCN) levels and elevates corticosterone in rats. This suggests stress stimulates the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis and limbic system, impacting UCN gene expression.
Area of Science:
- Neuroendocrinology
- Stress Physiology
- Metabolic Regulation
Background:
- Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) neuropeptides and spexin regulate energy balance and food intake.
- The impact of chronic variable stress on these neuropeptides is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of chronic variable stress on circulating corticosterone and brain urocortin (UCN) expression in rats.
- To elucidate the relationship between stress, UCN levels, and the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis.
Main Methods:
- A 28-day chronic variable stress protocol was applied to experimental rats.
- Brain UCN-1,2,3 expression was analyzed using RT-PCR.
- Serum corticosterone levels were measured via ELISA.
Main Results:
- Prolonged variable stress significantly altered brain UCN levels in rats.
- Elevated corticosterone levels correlated with UCN expression patterns.
- Data suggests glucocorticoids regulate UCN expression via a glucocorticoid-responsive element (GRE).
Conclusions:
- Stress stimulates the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and limbic system, leading to increased corticosterone.
- UCN genes (UCN1, 2, and 3) are implicated in the stress response.
- Urocortin expression is modulated by glucocorticoids during chronic stress.
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