• Molecules and Cells
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• 제40권3호
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• pp.186-194
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• 2017

A brain-enriched secreting signal peptide, NELL2, has been suggested to play multiple roles in the development, survival, and activity of neurons in mammal. We investigated here a possible involvement of central NELL2 in regulating feeding behavior and metabolism. In situ hybridization and an immunohistochemical approach were used to determine expression of NELL2 as well as its colocalization with proopiomelanocortin (POMC) and neuropeptide Y (NPY) in the rat hypothalamus. To investigate the effect of NELL2 on feeding behavior, 2 nmole of antisense NELL2 oligodeoxynucleotide was administered into the lateral ventricle of adult male rat brains for 6 consecutive days, and changes in daily body weight, food, and water intake were monitored. Metabolic state-dependent NELL2 expression in the hypothalamus was tested in vivo using a fasting model. NELL2 was noticeably expressed in the hypothalamic nuclei controlling feeding behavior. Furthermore, all arcuatic POMC and NPY positive neurons produced NELL2. The NELL2 gene expression in the hypothalamus was up-regulated by fasting. However, NELL2 did not affect POMC and NPY gene expression in the hypothalamus. A blockade of NELL2 production in the hypothalamus led to a reduction in daily food intake, followed by a loss in body weight without a change in daily water intake in normal diet condition. NELL2 did not affect short-term hunger dependent appetite behavior. Our data suggests that hypothalamic NELL2 is associated with appetite behavior, and thus central NELL2 could be a new therapeutic target for obesity.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제46권4호
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• pp.609-619
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• 2022

Obesity is a primary factor provoking various chronic disorders, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer, and causes the death of 2.8 million individuals each year. Diet, physical activity, medications, and surgery are the main therapies for overweightness and obesity. During weight loss therapy, a decrease in energy stores activates appetite signaling pathways under the regulation of neuropeptides, including anorexigenic [corticotropin-releasing hormone, proopiomelanocortin (POMC), cholecystokinin (CCK), and cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript] and orexigenic [agoutirelated protein (AgRP), neuropeptide Y (NPY), and melanin-concentrating hormone] neuropeptides, which increase food intake and lead to failure in attaining weight loss goals. Ginseng and ginsenosides reverse these signaling pathways by suppressing orexigenic neuropeptides (NPY and AgRP) and provoking anorexigenic neuropeptides (CCK and POMC), which prevent the increase in food intake. Moreover, the results of network pharmacology analysis have revealed that constituents of ginseng radix, including campesterol, beta-elemene, ginsenoside Rb1, biotin, and pantothenic acid, are highly correlated with neuropeptide genes that regulate energy balance and food intake, including ADIPOQ, NAMPT, UBL5, NUCB2, LEP, CCK, GAST, IGF1, RLN1, PENK, PDYN, and POMC. Based on previous studies and network pharmacology analysis data, ginseng and its compounds may be a potent source for obesity treatment by regulating neuropeptides associated with appetite.

• BMB Reports
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• 제55권6호
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• pp.293-298
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• 2022

Antipsychotics have been widely accepted as a treatment of choice for psychiatric illnesses such as schizophrenia. While atypical antipsychotics such as aripiprazole are not associated with obesity and diabetes, olanzapine is still widely used based on the anticipation that it is more effective in treating severe schizophrenia than aripiprazole, despite its metabolic side effects. To address metabolic problems, metformin is widely prescribed. Hypothalamic proopiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons have been identified as the main regulator of metabolism and energy expenditure. Although the relation between POMC neurons and metabolic disorders is well established, little is known about the effects of olanzapine and metformin on hypothalamic POMC neurons. In the present study, we investigated the effect of olanzapine and metformin on the hypothalamic POMC neurons in female mice. Olanzapine administration for 5 days significantly decreased Pomc mRNA expression, POMC neuron numbers, POMC projections, and induced leptin resistance before the onset of obesity. It was also observed that coadministration of metformin with olanzapine not only increased POMC neuron numbers and projections but also improved the leptin response of POMC neurons in the olanzapine-treated female mice. These findings suggest that olanzapine-induced hypothalamic POMC neuron abnormality and leptin resistance, which can be ameliorated by metformin administration, are the possible causes of subsequent hyperphagia.

• BMB Reports
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• 제57권4호
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• pp.167-175
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• 2024

Cancer progression is driven by genetic mutations, environmental factors, and intricate interactions within the tumor microenvironment (TME). The TME comprises of diverse cell types, such as cancer cells, immune cells, stromal cells, and neuronal cells. These cells mutually influence each other through various factors, including cytokines, vascular perfusion, and matrix stiffness. In the initial or developmental stage of cancer, neurotrophic factors such as nerve growth factor, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor are associated with poor prognosis of various cancers by communicating with cancer cells, immune cells, and peripheral nerves within the TME. Over the past decade, research has been conducted to prevent cancer growth by controlling the activation of neurotrophic factors within tumors, exhibiting a novel attemt in cancer treatment with promising results. More recently, research focusing on controlling cancer growth through regulation of the autonomic nervous system, including the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems, has gained significant attention. Sympathetic signaling predominantly promotes tumor progression, while the role of parasympathetic signaling varies among different cancer types. Neurotransmitters released from these signalings can directly or indirectly affect tumor cells or immune cells within the TME. Additionally, sensory nerve significantly promotes cancer progression. In the advanced stage of cancer, cancer-associated cachexia occurs, characterized by tissue wasting and reduced quality of life. This process involves the pathways via brainstem growth and differentiation factor 15-glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor receptor alpha-like signaling and hypothalamic proopiomelanocortin neurons. Our review highlights the critical role of neurotrophic factors as well as central nervous system on the progression of cancer, offering promising avenues for targeted therapeutic strategies.

• 대한화장품학회지
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• 제40권4호
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• pp.413-421
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• 2014

코르티코트로핀분비인자(Corticotropin-releasing factor)는 스트레스 반응에 관여하는 호르몬으로, 최근 스트레스가 탈모와 같은 피부질환에 영향을 미친다는 보고들이 많아지고 있다. 보고에 따르면, 사람 모낭 배양에서 코르티코트로핀분비인자는 길이생장을 억제하며, 모낭의 조기퇴행을 유도하고 모기질각질형성세포(hair matrix keratinocyte)의 세포사멸을 촉진시킨다. 본 연구에서는 코르티코트로핀분비인자가 모발성장과 모주기조절에 핵심적으로 역할하는 모유두세포에 미치는 영향에 대해 알아보고자 했다. 시상하부-뇌하수체-부신축의 주요 스트레스호르몬들인 코르티코트로핀분비인자, 부신피질자극호르몬, 그리고 코르티솔을 사람 모유두세포에 처리하였다. 흥미롭게도, 코르티코트로핀분비인자가 모발성장과 관련된 사이토카인(KGF, Wnt5a, $TGF{\beta}-2$, Nexin)의 발현을 변화시키는 것을 관찰하였으며, 세포 내 cAMP의 수준을 증가시켰고, 수용체의 발현을 억제시켰다. 이러한 변화는 수용체의 길항제인 antalarmin과 astressin2B, 또는 PKA 억제제의 전처리로 인해 막을 수 있었다. 코르티코트로핀분비인자는 cAMP/PKA경로를 통해 POMC의 발현을 유도하는데, 사람 모유두세포에서도 이 호르몬의 처리가 POMC mRNA의 발현을 증가시키는 것을 확인할 수 있었으나 부신피질자극호르몬의 변화는 western blot으로는 확인할 수 없었다. 이러한 결과들을 바탕으로, 코르티코트로핀분비인자가 그 수용체를 통해 사람 모유두세포 내 모발성장 관련 사이토카인의 발현을 조절함을 확인하였으며, 이는 코르티코트로핀분비인자의 수용체 길항제가 스트레스성 탈모환자를 위한 치료제 혹은 화장품 소재로써 활용될 수 있음을 보여준다.