Ghrelin Modulates the fMRI BOLD Response of Homeostatic and Hedonic Brain Centers Regulating Energy Balance in the Rat

The orexigenic gut-brain peptide, ghrelin and its G-protein coupled receptor, the growth hormone secretagogue receptor 1a (GHS-R1A) are pivotal regulators of hypothalamic feeding centers and reward processing neuronal circuits of the brain. These systems operate in a cooperative manner and receive a wide array of neuronal hormone/transmitter messages and metabolic signals. Functional magnetic resonance imaging was employed in the current study to map BOLD responses to ghrelin in different brain regions with special reference on homeostatic and hedonic regulatory centers of energy balance. Experimental groups involved male, ovariectomized female and ovariectomized estradiol-replaced rats. Putative modulation of ghrelin signaling by endocannabinoids was also studied. Ghrelin-evoked effects were calculated as mean of the BOLD responses 30 minutes after administration. In the male rat, ghrelin evoked a slowly decreasing BOLD response in all studied regions of interest (ROI) within the limbic system. This effect was antagonized by pretreatment with GHS-R1A antagonist JMV2959. The comparison of ghrelin effects in the presence or absence of JMV2959 in individual ROIs revealed significant changes in the prefrontal cortex, nucleus accumbens of the telencephalon, and also within hypothalamic centers like the lateral hypothalamus, ventromedial nucleus, paraventricular nucleus and suprachiasmatic nucleus. In the female rat, the ghrelin effects were almost identical to those observed in males. Ovariectomy and chronic estradiol replacement had no effect on the BOLD response. Inhibition of the endocannabinoid signaling by rimonabant significantly attenuated the response of the nucleus accumbens and septum. In summary, ghrelin can modulate hypothalamic and mesolimbic structures controlling energy balance in both sexes. The endocannabinoid signaling system contributes to the manifestation of ghrelin’s BOLD effect in a region specific manner. In females, the estradiol milieu does not influence the BOLD response to ghrelin

Central nicotine induces browning through hypothalamic κ opioid receptor

Increased body weight is a major factor that interferes with smoking cessation. Nicotine, the main bioactive compound in tobacco, has been demonstrated to have an impact on energy balance, since it affects both feeding and energy expenditure at the central level. Among the central actions of nicotine on body weight, much attention has been focused on its effect on brown adipose tissue (BAT) thermogenesis, though its effect on browning of white adipose tissue (WAT) is unclear. Here, we show that nicotine induces the browning of WAT through a central mechanism and that this effect is dependent on the kappa opioid receptor (KOR), specifically in the lateral hypothalamic area (LHA). Consistent with these findings, smokers show higher levels of uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) expression in WAT, which correlates with smoking status. These data demonstrate that central nicotine-induced modulation of WAT browning may be a target against human obesity

Diagnostic delay in oral squamous cell carcinoma: the role of cognitive and psychological variables

This retrospective study investigated, in two cohorts of subjects living in Southern Italy and awaiting treatment for oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), the variables related to diagnostic delay ascribable to the patient, with particular reference to the cognitive and psychological ones. A total of 156 patients with OSCC (mean age: 62 years, M/F: 2.39/1) were recruited at the Universities of Palermo and Naples. Risk factors related to patient delay included: socio-demographic, health-related, cognitive and psychological variables. The analysis was conducted by considering two different delay ranges: dichotomous (≤ 1 month vs > 1 month) and polytomous ( 3 months) delay. Data were investigated by univariate and multivariate analyses and a p value ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. For both delay measurements, the most relevant variables were: “Personal experience of cancer” (dichotomous delay: p=0.05, OR=0.33, CI=0.11-0.99; polytomous delay: p=0.006, Chi-Square=10.224) and “Unawareness” (dichotomous delay: p<0.01, OR=4.96, CI=2.16-11.37; polytomous delay: p=0.087, Chi-Square=4.77). Also “Denial” (p<0.01, OR=6.84, CI=2.31-20.24) and “Knowledge of cancer“ (p=0.079, Chi-Square=8.359) were found to be statistically significant both for dichotomous and for polytomous categorization of delay, respectively. The findings of this study indicated that, in the investigated cohorts, the knowledge about cancer issues is strongly linked to the patient delay. Educational interventions on the Mediterranean population are necessary in order to increase the patient awareness and to emphasize his/her key role in early diagnosis of OSCC

Líquen plano bucal: considerações clínicas e histopatológicas Oral lichen planus: clinical and histopathological considerations

O líquen plano é uma das doenças dermatológicas mais comuns que acometem a cavidade bucal, com prevalência de 1% a 2% na população geral. Contudo, apesar de relativamente freqüente, o líquen plano bucal é alvo de muita controvérsia, especialmente em relação ao seu potencial de malignização. OBJETIVO: O presente trabalho tem como objetivo tecer considerações clínicas e histopatológicas a respeito do líquen plano bucal, favorecendo seu entendimento por parte dos profissionais da saúde e, conseqüentemente, reforçando a importância do acompanhamento a longo prazo dos pacientes acometidos pela doença. CONCLUSÃO: A possibilidade da lesão sofrer transformação maligna justifica a importância do acompanhamento a longo prazo dos pacientes com a doença.<br>Oral lichen planus is one of the most common dermatological diseases presenting in the oral cavity; the prevalence in the general population is 1% to 2%. Although relatively frequent, oral lichen planus is the target of much controversy, especially in relation to its potential for malignancy. AIM: This study aimed to make clinical and histopathological considerations regarding oral lichen planus to increase the level of knowledge about this condition among health professionals, underlining the importance of long-term follow-up of these patients. CONCLUSION: The possibility of this lesion to turn malignant justifies the importance of long term follow up for patients with such disease