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Oxytocin participates on the effects of vasoactive intestinal peptide on food intake and plasma parameters

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Abstract

Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) is a neurotransmitter with anorectic effect that acts in the hypothalamus to regulate food intake. Oxytocin is a neuropeptide produced in the hypothalamus that controls energy homeostasis and has an inhibitory role on food intake. Thus, the present study aims at verifying the role of oxytocin as a mediator of VIP on energy homeostasis. For this purpose, intracerebroventricular microinjection of oxytocin receptor antagonist (vasotocin, OVT) or vehicle (NaCl 0.9%) was carried out in male rats, and after 15 min, VIP or saline was microinjected. After 15 min of the second microinjection, food intake was evaluated or euthanasia was undertaken for blood collection. There was a reduction on food intake after VIP microinjection and the pretreatment with OVT partially reversed this effect. Hyperglycemia was observed after VIP microinjection, and pretreatment with OVT partially blocked this effect. Plasma corticosterone concentration was significantly increased after VIP or OVT. Plasma levels of free fatty acids were decreased by VIP, but not when VIP was microinjected after OVT. Thus, OVT partially reversed VIP-induced hypophagia and changes on plasma metabolic parameters, suggesting a role for oxytocin as a mediator of VIP effects on energy homeostasis.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the Fundação Araucária de Apoio ao Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico, Paraná, Brasil, for the Grant (Protocol Number 23088). ABM thanks Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) for Master fellowship. We also would like to thank Dr. Cláudia Bueno dos Reis Martinez (head of Laboratório de Ecofisiologia Animal, State University of Londrina) for the use of the Victor3™, PerkinElmer. Funding was provided by PRONEX-CNPq-Fundação Araucária-PR, for the Grant (Protocol Number 08586).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Neuroendocrine Physiology and Metabolism, Department of Physiological Sciences, State University of Londrina, Rodovia Celso Garcia Cid, PR 445, KM 380, Campus Universitário, Londrina, PR, 86057-970, Brazil

    Andressa B. Martins, Marcela C. Garnica-Siqueira, Cássia Thaïs B. V. Zaia & Ernane T. Uchôa

  2. Laboratory of Prebiotic Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, State University of Londrina, Rodovia Celso Garcia Cid, PR 445, KM 380, Campus Universitário, Londrina, PR, 86057-970, Brazil

    Dimas A. M. Zaia

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  1. Andressa B. Martins
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Correspondence to Cássia Thaïs B. V. Zaia or Ernane T. Uchôa.

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Martins, A.B., Garnica-Siqueira, M.C., Zaia, D.A.M. et al. Oxytocin participates on the effects of vasoactive intestinal peptide on food intake and plasma parameters. Mol Cell Biochem 437, 177–183 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11010-017-3106-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11010-017-3106-x

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