Society For Neuroendocrinology Research Articles

1912-P: Bariatric Surgery Downregulates Glucocorticoid Signaling in Mice

Background: Glucocorticoids (GC) produced by the adrenal cortex are essential for the maintenance of metabolic homeostasis. GC activation is catalyzed by 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1 (11β-HSD1) and signalling is achieved through the glucocorticoid receptor (GR), a ligand-dependent transcription factor. Excess glucocorticoids are associated with insulin resistance and hyperglycaemia. A small number of studies have investigated the effects of bariatric surgery, a gastrointestinal procedure known to improve insulin sensitivity, on glucocorticoid metabolism, but the hypothesised mechanism is assumed to be via weight loss. Aim: To investigate the effect of bariatric surgery on glucocorticoid metabolism in lean and obese mice. Methods: Fourteen lean mice and twelve HFD mice underwent Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy (VSG) (n=7-8) or sham (n=5-6) surgery. Glucose and insulin tolerance tests were performed four weeks post operatively. Liver, gut and adipose tissue were harvested from fed mice and analysed using Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western Blot (WB). Results: VSG did not cause excess weight loss in lean mice when compared to sham operated mice (p=0.37). However, both lean and HFD VSG mice displayed significantly improved glucose and insulin tolerance (p<0.001). Of note, qPCR and Western blotting analysis on mouse liver demonstrated a significant lowering of 11β-HSD1 levels 4 and 12 weeks after VSG (p<0.01). Additionally, in lean mice, 11β-HSD1 expression was also lowered in omental adipose tissue (p=0.01) and GR expression was inhibited in liver and ileum at the transcript level (p<0.05). Conclusions: Bariatric surgery improves insulin sensitivity and reduces glucocorticoid activation physiologically and in the obese state, irrespective of weight loss. The reduction in glucocorticoid signalling may represent an additional contribution to the health benefits of bariatric surgery. These findings point towards a physiologically-relevant gut-adrenal axis. Disclosure E. Akalestou: None. L. Lopez Noriega: None. I. Christakis: None. I. Leclerc: Consultant; Spouse/Partner; Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. Research Support; Spouse/Partner; Servier. G.A. Rutter: Consultant; Self; Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. Research Support; Self; Servier, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. Funding Rosetrees Foundation (M825); British Society for Neuroendocrinology; Society for Endocrinology (19ES001); UK Wellcome Trust (212625/Z/18/Z); Medical Research Council UK (MR/R022259/1); European Union (115881)

Kisspeptin: A Novel Regulator of Reproductive Function

The UK and international neuroendocrine community was deeply shocked and saddened the unbelievably premature death of Michael Harbuz in Bristol in 2006. Mick was a superb friend and colleague, and played a huge part in the development and activities of the British Neuroendocrine Group/British Society for Neuroendocrinology (BSN), serving as both Membership Secretary and Treasurer between 1999 and 2004. Mick was a leader in the field of neuroendocrine-immune interactions, and brought a great deal of charisma, humour and ability to meetings and conferences. He was also a passionate and committed supporter of the progress of young researchers and of their participation in neuroendocrine events. He recognised that today's postgraduate students and postdoctoral research fellows are tomorrow's neuroendocrine researchers, be it in academia, the health services or industry. To recognise Mick's great commitment to and enthusiasm for postgraduate education both in the University of Bristol and in the BSN, we decided to honour and remember him by instituting the 'Michael Harbuz Young Investigator Prize Lecture' to be delivered annually. Dr Waljit Dhillo from Imperial College London was the inaugural recipient of this award, and presented his lecture at the Annual Meeting of the BSN in Nottingham in September 2007, upon which this review is based. Recent evidence demonstrates that the neuropeptide kisspeptin and its receptor, GPR54, have a fundamental role in initiating the onset of puberty and are important in regulating reproductive function. This review discusses the evidence available from animals and humans demonstrating that kisspeptin potently stimulates the release of gonadotrophins by stimulating the release of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone and that a lack of kisspeptin or GPR54 results in reproductive failure.