Modulatory effect of olanzapine on SMIM20/phoenixin, NPQ/spexin and NUCB2/nesfatin-1 gene expressions in the rat brainstem

Abstract

Background Phoenixin, spexin and nesfatin-1 belong to a family of newly discovered multifunctional neuropeptides that play regulatory roles in several brain structures and modulate the activity of important neural networks. However, little is known about their expression and action at the level of brainstem. The present work was, therefore, focused on gene expression of the aforementioned peptides in the brainstem of rats chronically treated with olanzapine, a second generation antipsychotic drug. Methods Studies were carried out on adult, male Sprague–Dawley rats that were divided into 2 groups: control and experimental animals treated with olanzapine (28-day-long intraperitoneal injection, at dose 5 mg/kg daily). All individuals were killed under anesthesia and the brainstem excised. Total mRNA was isolated from homogenized samples of both structures and the RT-PCR method was used for estimation of related SMIM20/phoenixin, NPQ/spexin and NUCB2/nesfatin-1 gene expression. Results Long-term treatment with olanzapine is reflected in qualitatively different changes in expression of examined neuropeptides mRNA in the rat brainstem. Olanzapine significantly decreased NPQ/spexin mRNA expression, but increased SMIM20/phoenixin mRNA level in the rat brainstem; while NUCB2/nesfatin-1 mRNA expression remained unchanged. Conclusions Olanzapine can affect novel peptidergic signaling in the rat brainstem. This may cautiously suggest the presence of an alternative mode of its action.

Escitalopram alters local expression of noncanonical stress-related neuropeptides in the rat brain via NPS receptor signaling

“…Escitalopram does in turn not alter nesfatin-1 synthesis in the rat brain. This result stays in accordance with our recent observation showing that long-term treatment with olanzapine did not affect NUCB2 mRNA in the rat brainstem, while the gene expression of SMIM20/phoenixin and spexin was distinctly modulated [98]. Perhaps NUCB2 gene expression exposes relatively high stability in particular brain regions.…”

Role of the Novel Peptide Phoenixin in Stress Response and Possible Interactions with Nesfatin-1

“…Apart from their expression in the central nervous system, nesfatin-1 and phoenixin-14 serum concentrations were also positively correlated in patients with PCOS [34], further suggesting a physiological interaction between the two peptides. A recent publication studied the effects of the long-term olanzapine treatment on both NUCB2/nesfatin-1 and phoenixin/SMIM20 mRNA expression in rodent brains and showed an increased expression of phoenixin/SMIM20 with an unaltered NUCB2/nesfatin-1 level, falling in line with the anxiolytic and antidepressant properties of olanzapine, as well as supporting the notion of a counterbalancing role of phoenixin and nesfatin in depression/anxiety [98].…”

The effect of spexin injection and its interaction with nitric oxide, serotonin, and corticotropin receptors on the central regulation of food intake in broilers

“…The hypothalamic and supraventricular nuclei of the hypothalamus were able to play a crucial role in spexin development while contributing to water regulation, food intake, energy consumption, and reproductive behaviors. Spexin genes expression in the paraventricular and supraoptic nuclei of the hypothalamus similar to the nesfatin-1 receptor, were shown to be associated with oxytocin and corticotropin system ( Pałasz et al, 2021 ). Also, Recent studies have shown the interaction of GAL upsurges the polarization of serotonergic neurons outstanding to the receptor-receptor interaction with 5-HT1AR and decreases the binding affinity of the auto receptor after binding to serotonin ( Wang et al, 2016 ).…”