State of the NPY-ergic System of the Hypothalamic Arcuate Nucleus in Rats with Experimentally Induced Diabetes Mellitus

We have carried out a quantitative study of the state of a neuropeptide Y (NPY)-ergic system of the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus (AN) in rats in the norm and in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes mellitus. The NPY-containing objects were identified using an indirect immunofluorescent technique; a...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Neurophysiology (New York) 2001-09, Vol.33 (5), p.304
Main Authors: Kolesnik, Yu M, Trailin, A V, Abramov, A B, Orlovskii, M A
Format: Article
Language:English
Citations: Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:We have carried out a quantitative study of the state of a neuropeptide Y (NPY)-ergic system of the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus (AN) in rats in the norm and in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes mellitus. The NPY-containing objects were identified using an indirect immunofluorescent technique; a system of digital analysis of images and a special software were used. Analysis of the morphometric parameters of the NPY-immunopositive objects within the AN sections allowed us to classify in an automatic mode such objects as neurons of various sizes, fibers, and terminals, as well as to count the number of objects of each class. In addition, the fluorescent intensity of the objects under study (directly proportional to the concentration and amounts of NPY in these objects) was determined. On the basis of these parameters, criteria of the state of synthesis and secretion of NPY and NPY-ergic innervation in the AN subnuclei were proposed. In control animals, the greatest number of NPY-immunopositive neurons and total content of NPY in the neurons and terminals were observed in the ventrolateral and dorsomedial subnuclei of the AN (vl- and dmAN, respectively); this fact points to the high intensities of NPY synthesis and secretion in these structures. The greatest content of NPY in the nerve terminals within the vlAN zone is indicative of the highest intensity of NPY-ergic afferent influences on this subnucleus. It is concluded that the approach we proposed is adequate enough for integral quantitative estimation of the state of peptidergic systems. The development of STZ-induced diabetes mellitus caused changes in the NPY-ergic system in different AN subnuclei; such changes demonstrated certain specificity. In particular, an increase in the number of immunopositive neurons and the total content of NPY in the neurons of vlAN and the ventromedial AN subnucleus (vmAN), which is evidence in favor of intensification of synthesis of the neuropeptide, was not accompanied by an adequate rise in the NPY content in the terminals located in the subnucleus under study. The content of NPY in the eminentia medianus also decreased. The above data allow us to hypothesize that the NPY-ergic system of the AN under conditions of diabetes mellitus is functionally insufficient.
ISSN:0090-2977
1573-9007
DOI:10.1023/A:1014339313636