Neuroendocrinological Changes Research Articles

Exploratory study to examine the neuroendocrinological changes in typically developing adults during a music-related participatory practice using computer software

There has been a growing recognition of the benefits of participating in art practices for promoting well-being and social connection. Despite this, only a limited number of studies have assessed the neuroendocrinological changes that might contribute to these benefits. In this exploratory study, we focused on a creative activity related to music composition using digital tools. The emergence of computer software to create music (CSCM) has lowered the barriers to musical technical skills and theory, making music composition more accessible. We examined whether incorporating CSCM into a music-making workshop would affect the levels of two hormones, oxytocin and cortisol, among healthy adults. These two hormones were chosen, because oxytocin is involved in prosocial behavior and bonding, while cortisol plays a role in the stress response. Considering the time it takes to learn and adapt to a typical customized CSCM, we simplified its use to allow participants to experience music-making within a short timeframe and set up two distinct workshops. One was individual music creation with the support of a facilitator (Dyad) and the other was music creation in a group (Group). Participants in the Dyad workshops showed increased oxytocin levels, whereas those in the Group workshops did not. Cortisol levels remained unchanged during the Dyad workshops, but decreased in the Group ones. These results suggest that neuroendocrinological changes may occur during music-making activities using computer software. This work highlights the potential value of CSCM-incorporated music-making activities, although further controlled studies are required to confirm these findings.

Female-Female Reproductive Suppression: Impacts on Signals and Behavior.

Female-female reproductive suppression is evident in an array of mammals, including rodents, primates, and carnivores. By suppressing others, breeding females can benefit by reducing competition from other females and their offspring. There are neuroendocrinological changes during suppression which result in altered behavior, reproductive cycling, and communication. This review, which focuses on species in Rodentia, explores the current theoretical frameworks of female-female reproductive suppression, how female presence and rank impacts reproductive suppression, and some of the proposed mechanisms of suppression. Finally, the understudied role of olfactory communication in female-female reproductive suppression is discussed to identify current gaps in our understanding of this topic.

Fibromialgia: Revisión Sistémica

Fibromialgia (FM) se define como dolor musculoesquelético generalizado crónico usualmente acompañado por fatiga y alteraciones del sueño por mínimo 3 meses que no se explican por otra condición médica. Es más común en mujeres adultas, pero se puede dar desde niños a adultos y hombres. La prevalencia es de 2.7% en la población general. La etiología en sí es desconocida, pero se clasifica como una sensibilización central por cambios neuroendocrinológicos en sistema nervioso central y periférico en individuos genéticamente susceptibles, en respuesta a desencadenantes ambientales, resultando en percepción del dolor aumentada e hipersensibilidad a numerosos estímulos. Se caracteriza por dolor musculoesquelético generalizado y sensibilidad de tejidos blandos, acompañado por fatiga, alteraciones del sueño, trastornos somáticos, cognitivos y psiquiátricos. Pueden existir trastornos coexistentes que estimulan o exacerban la sintomatología. El diagnóstico se basa en la historia clínica y síntomas, examen físico normal, estudios complementarios normales y criterios AAPT o 2010 CAR o de Yunus y Masi positivos. Se deben valorar posibles diagnósticos diferenciales según el grupo etáreo. El manejo se basa en educación, identificación de comorbilidades, ejercicio, terapia cognitiva conductual, fármacos como antidepresivos y anticonvulsivantes y terapias alternativas. Los pacientes tienen un deterioro en la calidad de vida y morbilidad, sin un aumento significativo en la mortalidad.

The olfactory bulbectomized rat model is not an appropriate model for studying depression based on morphological/stereological studies of the hippocampus.

Bilateral olfactory bulbectomy (OBX) has been used as an animal model for major depression that results in behavioral, neurochemical, and neuroendocrinological changes were reversed by chronic treatment with antidepressants, including fluoxetine. However, both etiological and construct validities are lacking in OBX for rats. In the present study, we investigated the morphological changes in the hippocampi of rats undergoing OBX that were treated with fluoxetine (10mg/kg, p.o. once daily for 4 and 12 weeks) using stereological techniques. Our results revealed that OBX caused a reduction in the volumes of the CA1/2, CA3, and dentate gyrus regions 4 weeks after OBX without fluoxetine treatment. With fluoxetine treatment, these reductions were achieved 12 weeks after OBX and the volumes were comparable to normal control rats. Nevertheless, fluoxetine treatment did not reverse neuron loss in all hippocampal regions 12 weeks after OBX. Therefore, we suggest that the OBX rat model should not be used to detect the antidepressant activity of various pharmacological agents such as fluoxetine.

An adjunctive antidepressant nutraceutical combination in treating major depression: Study protocol, and clinical considerations

Current treatment for major depressive disorder (MDD), a prevalent and disabling mental illness, is inadequate, with two-thirds of people treated with first-line antidepressants not achieving remission. MDD is for many a chronic condition, often requiring multiple treatment attempts, thus development of additional interventions is urgently required. An emerging approach to improve non-response to antidepressants is the use of adjunctive nutraceuticals. The pathophysiology of MDD is considered to involve a range of abnormalities (monoamine impairment, neuro-endocrinological changes, reduced brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and cytokine alterations). By targeting an array of these key neurobiological pathways via specific nutraceuticals (S-adenosyl methionine; [SAMe], 5-HTP [active tryptophan], folinic acid [active folic acid], omega-3 fatty acids, and zinc), there is the potential to provide a more comprehensive therapeutic biological approach to treat depression. We are currently conducting a National Health and Medical Research Council funded study in Australia (APP1048222). The clinical trial is phase II/III, multi-site, 3-arm, 8-week, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study using SAMe+folinic acid versus a combination nutraceutical (SAMe, 5-HTP, folinic acid, omega-3, and zinc) or matching placebo in 300 currently depressed participants with diagnosed MDD who are non-responsive to current antidepressants (ANZCTR, protocol number: 12613001300763). The results may provide evidence for a novel adjunctive neurobiological approach for treating depression.

Differences according to Sex in Sociosexuality and Infidelity after Traumatic Brain Injury.

Objective. To explore differences according to sex in sociosexuality and infidelity in individuals with TBI and in healthy controls. Participants. Forty-two individuals with mild, moderate, and severe TBI having completed a postacute TBI rehabilitation program, at least six months after injury, and 47 healthy controls. Main Measures. Sociosexual Orientation Inventory-Revised (SOI-R) and Attitudes toward Infidelity Scale. Results. Overall, men score significantly higher than women in sociosexuality. However, there was a nonsignificant trend towards a reduction of sociosexuality levels in men with TBI. Infidelity levels were comparable in healthy controls and individuals with TBI. In individuals with TBI, less acceptance of infidelity was significantly associated with an unrestricted sociosexual orientation, but not in healthy controls. Conclusions. As documented in previous cross-cultural studies, men have higher levels of sociosexuality than women. However, men with TBI showed a tendency towards the reduction of sociosexuality. The possibility of a latent explanatory variable is suggested (e.g., post-TBI neuroendocrinological changes). TBI does not seem to have an impact on infidelity, but individuals with TBI who express less acceptance of infidelity also report a more promiscuous mating strategy regarding their behavior, attitudes, and desire. Theoretical implications are discussed in terms of evolutionary theories of human sexuality and neuropsychology.

SY26-3 * SERUM BDNF LEVELS IN PATIENTS WITH GAMBLING DISORDER ARE ASSOCIATED WITH THE SEVERITY OF GAMBLING DISORDER AND IOWA GAMBLING TASK INDICES

Background. Brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays an important role in the pathophysiology and cognitive dysfunction of substance use disorders (SUDs). Gambling disorder (GD) shares many similarities with SUDs in clinical, neurobiological and neurocognitive features, including decision making. Methods. To evaluate the relationship among BDNF, GD and decision making, serum BDNF levels were assessed in 21 male patients with GD and 21 healthy sex- and age-matched control subjects. The severity of GD was measured with the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI). We then investigated the association between serum BDNF levels and the severity of GD. Finally, we analyzed the association between the serum BDNF levels and Iowa Gambling Task (IGT) indices. Results. Mean serum BDNF levels were significantly increased in the patients with GD compared to healthy controls (p < .0001). We also found a significant correlation between serum BDNF levels and PGSI scores (r = .558, p = 0.02) when controlling for age, depression, and duration of GD. In terms of IGT indices, a negative correlation was identified between serum BDNF levels and IGT improvement scores (r = -.477, p < .05). Conclusions. The findings of this study support the hypothesis that serum BDNF levels may constitute a dual biomarker for the neuroendocrinological changes and the severity of GD in patients. Furthermore, serum BDNF level may be an indicator of poor decision-making performance, especially in terms of learning processes implicated in GD. With continued investigation, this line of research could expand our understanding of the common neurobiological underpinnings of SUDs and GD.

EPA-1565 - Oxytocin response to social exclusion in chronically depressed patients

Objective Ostracism (social exclusion) has been found to be a remarkable stress factor to mentally ill people with difficulties in situations of social interaction. In an earlier study it was found that patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD) showed differences in oxytocin dysregulation by having lower oxytocin plasma levels during a social exclusion paradigm (Jobst et al., 2013, submitted). To our knowledge, this is the first study investigating neuroendocrinological changes of social exclusion in chronically depressed patients. Chronic depression (CD) is associated with poor social functioning and behavioral interpersonal problems which are considered to be based on the non-responsiveness of CD patients to environmental consequences. Methods To manipulate a situation of social exclusion we used the Cyberball Paradigm, a virtual ball tossing game which has been well validated and applied in numerous previous studies on the effects of social exclusion. 19 CD patients (according to DSM-IV) and 19 healthy controls matched for gender, age and education underwent repeated neuroendocrine measurements in a standardized laboratory setting during the Cyberball Paradigm. Assessments of psychological variables as well as measurements of oxytocin plasma levels were performed at baseline, 5 min, 15 min and 40 min after Cyberball. Results/Discussion As an association of interpersonal problems in BPD with oxytocin dysregulation has been found, we suggest differences in changes of oxytocin levels in a social exclusion situation in CD patients versus healthy subjects. The data will be presented and discussed in relation to specific interpersonal problems of patients suffering from CD.

Supraspinal basis of analgesic and clinical effects of the metabotropic glutamate mGluR1 antagonist during colonic distension in sheep

We have previously demonstrated a differential role for metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) using behavioral evidence, the role of mGluRs in spinal nociception in normal sheep. It was confirmed that is particularly apparent in neuropathic, inflammatory hyperalgesia produced by unilateral intradermal injection of carrageenan into the lower forelimb and mechanical hypersensitivity following abdominal surgery in sheep intrathecal blockade of mGluRs group I antagonists inhibits this phenomenon.The present study examined contribution of group I mGluRs to development and maintenance changes in behavioural and clinical symptoms, cortisol and catecholamines blood plasma concentrations caused by visceral pain evoked by colonic distension (CD) in sheep. Intracerebroventricular (icv) administration of the group I mGluRs antagonist racemic mixture of DL-AP3 blocked development of visceral pain symptoms and neuroendocrinological changes in the blood plasma of sheep. This data clearly demonstrated that development and maintenance of visceral pain symptoms of CD is dependent on activation of group I mGluRs in supraspinal level and that these types of mGluR play a crucial role in modulating of acute colonic pain (colic). What is more, this is the first record of supraspinal analgesic effects of mGluR1 antagonist in sheep.

Sleep duration, sleep quality and body weight: Parallel developments

The increase in obesity, including childhood obesity, has developed over the same time period as the progressive decrease in self-reported sleep duration. Since epidemiological studies showed an inverse relationship between short or disturbed sleep and obesity, the question arose, how sleep duration and sleep quality are associated with the development of obesity. In this review, the current literature on these topics has been evaluated. During puberty, changes in body mass index (BMI) are inversely correlated to changes in sleep duration. During adulthood, this relationship remains and at the same time unfavorable metabolic and neuro-endocrinological changes develop, that promote a positive energy balance, coinciding with sleep disturbance. Furthermore, during excessive weight loss BMI and fat mass decrease, in parallel, and related with an increase in sleep duration. In order to shed light on the association between sleep duration, sleep quality and obesity, until now it only has been shown that diet-induced body-weight loss and successive body-weight maintenance contribute to sleep improvement. It remains to be demonstrated whether body-weight management and body composition improve during an intervention concomitantly with spontaneous sleep improvement compared with the same intervention without spontaneous sleep improvement.

Mammalian Neuro Endocrinological Changes and Oxidative Stress during Chronic Lead Intoxication

The dangerous effect of lead was evaluated in male mice exposed to lead acetate at dose 2000 and 4000 ppm in drinking water, as well as subjects working in fields with high lead levels. Lead exposure exhibited marked decrease in body weight, as well as in hematological parameters such as hemoglobin content, hematocrit percent, erythrocytes and leucocytes count. In addition, there was a disruptive effect on neurological and endocrinological systems reflected by alterations in T3, T4, testosterone and cortisol hormones. In contrast, there was an elevation in serotonin level, along with a reduction in the concentrations of plasma Zn and Fe in lead exposed mice and human individuals. The study showed increases in the lipid peroxidation product (MDA), accompanied with decreases in GSH and SOD in lead exposed subjects and animals. The study thus indicated that exposure to lead pollution should be avoided as it affect neuro-endocrinological systems, increases oxidative stress and decreases fertility.

Relationship between Age and Neurogenesis in Old World Monkeys

Hippocampal neurogenesis continues throughout the lifespan of adult mammals, but the rates decline dramatically with increasing age. Among the factors that have been shown to affect neurogenesis, aging has been shown to be one of its most potent regulators in mice. The mechanism for the decline in neurogenesis with age is thought to be related to age-dependent changes in local and systemic neuroendocrinology and neurochemistry, as well as internal changes to precursor cells that result in decreased reactivity to normal stimuli. Since most of the data about neurogenesis and age were established from rodent studies, we sought to study this relationship in nonhuman primates in five previously studied cohorts of bonnet monkeys (Macaca radiata). In the present study, we statistically analyze the relationship of age and hippocampal neurogenesis rates, as measured by the number of DCX expressing cells in the subgranular zone of the dentate gyrus in 71 subjects with ages ranging from 3.5 to 17 years. We observed a non-significant relationship between age and doublecortin for subjects less than nine years old (corresponding to young and full adulthood) but a linear significant decline for subjects 9 years or greater (middle age and senescence). In contrast to previous studies that show neurogenesis to decline linearly throughout the lifespan, this study shows that neurogenesis occurs steadily throughout adulthood and begins to decline in middle age in bonnet macaques.

Fluoxetine reverses depressive-like behaviors and increases hippocampal acetylcholinesterase activity induced by olfactory bulbectomy

The olfactory bulbectomy (OB) is an animal model of depression that results in behavioral, neurochemical and neuroendocrinological changes, features comparable to those seen in depressive patients. This study investigated OB-induced alterations in locomotor activity and exploratory behavior in the open-field test, self-care and motivational behavior in the splash test, hyperactivity in the novel object test and novel cage test, and the influence of chronic treatment with fluoxetine (10mg/kg, p.o., once daily for 14days) on these parameters. Fluoxetine reversed OB-induced hyperactivity in the open-field test, locomotor hyperactivity and the increase in exploratory behavior induced by novelty in the novel object and novel cage tests, and the loss of self-care and motivational behavior in the splash test. Moreover, OB decreased the number of grooming and fecal boli in the open-field and novel cage tests, alterations that were not reversed by fluoxetine. OB caused an increase in hippocampal, but not in prefrontal acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity. Fluoxetine was able to reverse the increase in hippocampal AChE activity induced by OB. Serum corticosterone was increased in SHAM and bulbectomized mice treated with fluoxetine. In conclusion, OB mice exhibited depressive-like behaviors associated with an increase in hippocampal AChE activity, effects that were reversed by chronic treatment with fluoxetine.

477. Disappearance of Proestrus LH Surge Caused by the Decline in Activation of Metastin/Kisspeptin Neurons in Middle-Age Female Rats.

Reproductive function declines with aging and one of the earliest markers for this change in female rats is disappearance of the LH surge. The neuropeptide metastin/kisspeptin, encoded by the Kiss1 gene, plays an integral role as a potent activator of GnRH neurons in the reproductive function of mammals. We investigated the involvement of kisspeptin neurons in the hypothalamic anteroventral periventricular nucleus (AVPV) to disappearance of the LH surge in aged female rats. Young (Normal estrous cycle: YN) and middle-age (Normal estrous cycle: MN and Irregular estrous cycle: MI) rats were used. In the evening at proestrus or irregular estrus, LH surge and estradiol (YN: N=7, MN: N=38, MI: N=30) and Kiss1 mRNA and metastin/kisspeptin expression (N=7/each group) were determined in these females of 3 groups. In the result, although MI showed no LH surge with low estradiol level, Kiss1 mRNA and metastin/kisspeptin expression in MI was not different from YN and MN. To investigate the sensitivity of GnRH neurons to kisspeptin, rats were administered kisspeptin (10 and 100 nmol/kg, N=6/each group) subcutaneously. Administration of metastin/kisspeptin elevated plasma LH levels in all 3 groups. These data suggested that absent of metastin/kisspeptin in the AVPV was responsible for the disappearance of the LH surge in intact middle-age rats. To investigate the activation of metastin/kisspeptin neurons by estradiol in MI, rats were ovariectomised and treated with estradiol (OVX+E2), and blood samples taken for LH determination and brain samples for in situ hybridization (Kiss1 mRNA) and immunohistochemistry (cFos). OVX+E2 MI (N=5) showed extremely lower percentage of Kiss1 mRNA-positive cells with cFos immunopositivity than in OVX+E2 YN (N=4). Further, OVX+E2 MI (N=7) showed no elevation of LH levels while YN (N=7) showed clear elevation of LH level. These data of OVX+E2 rats suggested that the absence of elevation of LH levels was due to a decline in the activation of metastin/kisspeptin neurons by estradiol. In conclusion, the decline in metastin/kisspeptin neurons' activation by estrogenic positive-feedback might be responsible for the absence of metastin/kisspeptin secretion in the AVPV, and these neuroendocrinological changes resulted in disappearance of the LH surge in middle-age rat.

Altered Serum Levels of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor in Patients with Pathological Gambling

Background: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays important roles in neurotransmitter release and synaptic plasticity and has been hypothesized to be involved in the development and maintenance of addictive disorders. The objective of this study was to investigate alterations of BDNF expression in a non-substance-related addiction, i.e. pathological gambling (PG). Methods: Serum levels of BDNF were assessed in male patients with PG (n = 14) and healthy control subjects (n = 13) carefully matched for sex, age, body mass index, smoking status and urbanicity. Symptoms and severity of PG were measured by the adapted form of the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale. Results: BDNF serum levels were significantly increased in patients with PG in comparison to healthy control subjects (p = 0.016). There were no significant correlations between BDNF serum levels and severity of PG or clinical and demographic variables. Conclusions: Our results show alterations of BDNF serum levels in patients suffering from a behavioural addiction and suggest that non-substance-related addictions like PG might be associated with neuroendocrinological changes similar to the changes observed in substance-related addictions.

Cognitive flexibility in juvenile anorexia nervosa patients before and after weight recovery

Deficits in set-shifting abilities have been robustly described in adult patients with anorexia nervosa (AN). These deficits are associated with behavioral traits, such as rigidity and perfectionism, and are independent of starvation. However, little is known about neurocognitive deficits in juvenile patients with AN. The brain circuits that support set shifting are not fully mature in these patients. One possibility is that neuroendocrinological changes, such as elevated cortisol levels, contributing to alterations in cognitive performance in individuals with AN. Set-shifting abilities (Visual Set-Shifting Task), cortisol levels, self-reported perfectionism and obsessive personality traits were assessed in 28 female adolescent patients with AN before (T0) and after (T1) weight rehabilitation and compared with 27 age- and IQ-matched healthy controls (CG). Compared with the CG, AN patients showed increased reaction times (RT) in shift trials (p<0.001) and reduced error rates in both shift and non-shift trials across time points (p<0.05). Across all subjects, perfectionism was associated with increased RTs during shift trials at T1 (r=0.35, p<0.05). Subjects with lower cortisol levels showed increased RTs and more errors in non-shift trials (p<0.05). In contrast to the findings in adult patients, adolescent patients with AN did not display a marked deficit in set-shifting abilities. Instead, they demonstrated a perfectionistic cognitive style that was characterized by increased RTs in shift trials but improved accuracy. One could speculate that the shorter duration of illness and the incomplete maturation of the prefrontal cortices contribute to these findings.

P-323 - Developmental changes in children with ADHD

Background ADHD is a common diagnosis characterized by inadequate level of attention, excessive activity and impulsivity, accompanied by biochemical and neuroendocrinological changes. In connection with these changes ADHD children can show differences in growth and in development general. Our study compares anthropometric characteristics in boys with ADHD (according to DSM IV) and non-clinical population (n = 250; age: avg = 10,5, 19; SD = 4,8). In contrast to the most of the studies which were done on this topic and work mostly only with BMI, the presented study operates with complex anthropometrical measurements. Differences between medicated (methylphenidate) and non medicated groups were also evaluated. Possible relation between growth and results of psychological tests (WISC-III, attention tests) and questionnaires (CPQ, CTQ) were considered as well. The results show significant difference in anthropometric parameters between children with ADHD and children without the diagnosis. The differences are especially significant in signs of nutrition. It was also found that boys with ADHD have higher percentage of fat, higher value of abdominal circumference and some other differences in physipue from the norm. Children taking medication show lower percentage of body fat and lower BMI. Differences in height were not statistically significant. Relation of anthropometric and psychological parameters was not found. Conclusion The results are in correspondence with previous studies and point not only to significant influence of medication on growth of ADHD children but as well as on other developmental changes connected with this disorder.

Susceptibility to the long-term anxiogenic effects of an acute stressor is mediated by the activation of the glucocorticoid receptors

The specificity of the response of an organism is an important variable influencing stress-related parameters and psychopathological states. We have shown that trait anxiety in C57BL/6 mice, determined by their emergence latencies in the free choice open field test, positively correlates with the long-term behavioral and neuroendocrinological changes induced by a stressor. Here, we show that this interindividual variability is caused by a different reactivity of the hypothalamus–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis upon exposure to a stressor. Mice with high trait anxiety (long emergence latency, LEL) display a more pronounced stress-induced activation of the HPA axis than mice with low trait anxiety (short emergence latency, SEL). Moreover, stress-induced activation of tyrosine hydroxylase and corticotropin-releasing hormone occurred in LEL but not SEL mice. In search of the molecular mechanisms underlying these differences, we found that under non-stressed conditions mRNA and protein levels of the glucocorticoid receptor in the hippocampus were higher in LEL mice compared to SEL mice. Also, systemic injection of the glucocorticoid receptor antagonist RU486 decreased the stress-induced activation of the HPA axis and the long-term anxiogenic effects of stress observed in LEL mice. Finally, the rewarding properties of cocaine were enhanced in LEL mice compared to SEL mice, suggesting a causal link between trait anxiety, stress activity and the behavioral responses to drugs of addiction.

Increased cortisol concentrations in hair of severely traumatized Ugandan individuals with PTSD

Previous research has mostly suggested general hypocortisolism in posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, PTSD is a complex disorder and opposite neuroendocrinological changes have also been reported. Amongst other things, heterogeneous results might be related to differences in sample characteristics as well as methodological factors associated with the assessment of cortisol. The current study used the novel method of hair cortisol analysis to examine cumulative long-term cortisol secretion in a severely traumatized PTSD sample. Hair samples of 10 traumatized individuals with PTSD and 17 traumatized controls without PTSD from a civil war area of Northern Uganda were analyzed. Results revealed that hair samples of PTSD participants contained higher cortisol levels than those of traumatized controls (p<.05). Furthermore, a positive association between hair cortisol levels and the number of lifetime traumatic events was found (p<.05). The current hair cortisol findings suggest that PTSD in severely traumatized individuals who continue to live under stressful conditions might be associated with general hypercortisolism. Future research examining participants after traumatic events at different follow-up periods is needed to determine the specific influence of time interval since traumatization.

Steve bAccumulation of nerve growth factor and its receptors in the uterus and dorsal root ganglia in a mouse model of adenomyosis

BackgroundAdenomyosis is a common gynecological disease, which is accompanied by a series of immunological and neuroendocrinological changes. Nerve growth factor (NGF) plays a critical role in producing pain, neural plasticity, immunocyte aggregation and release of inflammatory factors. This study aimed to investigate the expression of NGF and its two receptors in uteri and dorsal root ganglia (DRG) in an adenomyosis mouse model, as well as their relationship with the severity of adenomyosis.MethodsForty newborn ICR mice were randomly divided into the adenomyosis model group and control group (n = 20 in each group). Mice in the adenomyosis model group were orally dosed with 2.7 μmol/kg tamoxifen on days 2-5 after birth. Experiments were conducted to identify the expression of NGF- beta and its receptors, tyrosine kinase receptor (trkA) and p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR), in the uterus and DRG in four age groups (90+/-5 d, 140+/-5 d, 190+/-5 d and 240+/-5 d; n = 5 mice in each group) by western bolt, immunochemistry and real time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction.ResultsAdenomyosis, which became more serious as age increased, was successfully induced in dosed ICR mice. NGF-beta, trkA and p75NTR protein levels in the uterus and trkA mRNA levels in DRG were higher in the older aged adenomyosis model group than those in controls (190+/-5 d and 240+/-5 d groups, P < 0.05). The expression of NGF-beta and its receptors in the uterus increased gradually as age increased for adenomyosis mice (190+/-5 d and 240+/-5 d, P < 0.05, compared with 90+/-5 d) but it showed little change in control mice. The mRNA level of trkA in DRG also increased as age increased in the adenomyosis model group (190+/-5 d and 240+/-5 d, P < 0.05, compared with 90+/-5 d) but was unchanged in controls. The mRNA level of p75NTR in DRG was not different between the adenomyosis and control groups and was stable from young to old mice.ConclusionsNGF- beta can be used as an indicator for the severity of adenomyosis. The gradually increasing level of NGF- beta and its receptors while the disease becomes more severe suggests an effect of NGF- beta on pathogenic mechanisms of adenomyosis.