Microbiota plays a role in shaping the HPA-axis response to psychological stressors. To examine the role of microbiota in response to acute immune stressor, we stimulated the adaptive immune system by anti-CD3 antibody injection and investigated the expression of adrenal steroidogenic enzymes and profiling of plasma corticosteroids and their metabolites in specific pathogen-free (SPF) and germ-free (GF) mice. Using UHPLC-MS/MS, we showed that 4 hours after immune challenge the plasma levels of pregnenolone, progesterone, 11-deoxycorticosterone, corticosterone (CORT), 11-dehydroCORT and their 3α/β-, 5α-, and 20α-reduced metabolites were increased in SPF mice, but in their GF counterparts, only CORT was increased. Neither immune stress nor microbiota changed the mRNA and protein levels of enzymes of adrenal steroidogenesis. In contrast, immune stress resulted in downregulated expression of steroidogenic genes (Star, Cyp11a1, Hsd3b1, Hsd3b6) and upregulated expression of genes of the 3α-hydroxysteroid oxidoreductase pathway (Akr1c21, Dhrs9) in the testes of SPF mice. In the liver, immune stress downregulated the expression of genes encoding enzymes with 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD) (Hsd3b2, Hsd3b3, Hsd3b4, Hsd3b5), 3α-HSD (Akr1c14), 20α-HSD (Akr1c6, Hsd17b1, Hsd17b2) and 5α-reductase (Srd5a1) activities, except for Dhrs9, which was upregulated. In the colon, microbiota downregulated Cyp11a1 and modulated the response of Hsd11b1 and Hsd11b2 expression to immune stress. These data underline the role of microbiota in shaping the response to immune stressor. Microbiota modulates the stress-induced increase in C21 steroids, including those that are neuroactive that could play a role in alteration of HPA axis response to stress in GF animals.

• Klíčová slova
• anti-CD3, germ-free, gut microbiota, immune stress, mice, steroidogenic genes, steroids,
• MeSH
• enzym štěpící postranní řetězce cholesterolu genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• kortikosteron metabolismus   MeSH
• mikrobiota * MeSH
• myši MeSH
• steroidy metabolismus   MeSH
• systém hypofýza - nadledviny metabolismus   MeSH
• systém hypotalamus-hypofýza * metabolismus   MeSH
• tandemová hmotnostní spektrometrie MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• myši MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• enzym štěpící postranní řetězce cholesterolu MeSH
• kortikosteron MeSH
• steroidy MeSH

Alcohol binge drinking is common among adolescents and may challenge the signalling systems that process affective stimuli, including calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) signalling. Here, we employed a rat model of adolescent binge drinking to evaluate reward-, social- and aversion-related behaviour, glucocorticoid output and CGRP levels in affect-related brain regions. As a potential rescue, the effect of the phytocannabinoid cannabidiol was explored. Adolescent male rats underwent the intermittent 20% alcohol two-bottle choice paradigm; at the binge day (BD) and the 24 h withdrawal day (WD), we assessed CGRP expression in medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), nucleus accumbens (NAc), amygdala, hypothalamus and brainstem; in addition, we evaluated sucrose preference, social motivation and drive, nociceptive response, and serum corticosterone levels. Cannabidiol (40 mg/kg, i.p.) was administered before each drinking session, and its effect was measured on the above-mentioned readouts. At BD and WD, rats displayed decreased CGRP expression in mPFC, NAc and amygdala; increased CGRP levels in the brainstem; increased response to rewarding- and nociceptive stimuli and decreased social drive; reduced serum corticosterone levels. Cannabidiol reduced alcohol consumption and preference; normalised the abnormal corticolimbic CGRP expression, and the reward and aversion-related hyper-responsivity, as well as glucocorticoid levels in alcohol binge-like drinking rats. Overall, CGRP can represent both a mediator and a target of alcohol binge-like drinking and provides a further piece in the intricate puzzle of alcohol-induced behavioural and neuroendocrine sequelae. CBD shows promising effects in limiting adolescent alcohol binge drinking and rebalancing the bio-behavioural abnormalities.

• Klíčová slova
• CGRP, adolescent alcohol binge drinking, cannabidiol, corticosterone, reward/aversion,
• MeSH
• ethanol MeSH
• glukokortikoidy MeSH
• hypothalamus MeSH
• kanabidiol * farmakologie   MeSH
• kortikosteron MeSH
• krysa rodu Rattus MeSH
• nárazové pití alkoholu * farmakoterapie   metabolismus   psychologie   MeSH
• peptid spojený s genem pro kalcitonin metabolismus   MeSH
• pití alkoholu škodlivé účinky   metabolismus   psychologie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• krysa rodu Rattus MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• ethanol MeSH
• glukokortikoidy MeSH
• kanabidiol * MeSH
• kortikosteron MeSH
• peptid spojený s genem pro kalcitonin MeSH

Stress increases plasma concentrations of corticosteroids, however, their tissue levels are unclear. Using a repeated social defeat paradigm, we examined the impact of chronic stress on tissue levels of corticosterone (CORT), progesterone (PROG), 11-deoxycorticosterone (11DOC) and 11-dehydrocorticosterone (11DHC) and on gut microbiota, which may reshape the stress response. Male BALB/c mice, liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and 16S RNA gene sequencing were used to screen steroid levels and fecal microbiome, respectively. Stress induced greater increase of CORT in the brain, liver, and kidney than in the colon and lymphoid organs, whereas 11DHC was the highest in the colon, liver and kidney and much lower in the brain and lymphoid organs. The CORT/11DHC ratio in plasma was similar to the brain but much lower in other organs. Stress also altered tissue levels of PROG and 11DOC and the PROG/11DOC ratio was much higher in lymphoid organs that in plasma and other organs. Stress impacted the β- but not the α-diversity of the gut microbiota and LEfSe analysis revealed several biomarkers associated with stress treatment. Our data indicate that social defeat stress modulates gut microbiota diversity and induces tissue-dependent changes in local levels of corticosteroids, which often do not reflect their systemic levels.

• MeSH
• chromatografie kapalinová MeSH
• deoxykortikosteron MeSH
• kortikosteron * MeSH
• mozek MeSH
• myši MeSH
• progesteron * MeSH
• steroidy MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• myši MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• deoxykortikosteron MeSH
• kortikosteron * MeSH
• progesteron * MeSH
• steroidy MeSH

There are many advantages associated with the determination of the level of corticosterone in rabbits from saliva, since this is a non-invasive sample collection method that does not affect their welfare and provides a reliable reflection of the state of the animal at a given moment without the results being distorted as they may be, for example, when blood samples are taken. The aim of this study was to determine the diurnal rhythm in the concentration of corticosterone in the saliva of the domestic rabbit. Saliva samples were taken from six domestic rabbits five times during the daytime (at 6:00, 9:00, 12:00, 15:00 and 18:00) over the course of three consecutive days. The levels of corticosterone in the saliva of the individual rabbits displayed a diurnal rhythm during the course of the day, with a significant increase between 12:00 and 15:00 (p < 0.05). No statistically significant difference in the concentrations of corticosterone in the saliva of the individual rabbits was demonstrated. Although the basal value of corticosterone is not known in rabbits and is difficult to determine, the results of our study show the pattern of fluctuations in the concentration of corticosterone in the saliva of rabbits during the daytime.

• MeSH
• cirkadiánní rytmus * MeSH
• kortikosteron * MeSH
• králíci MeSH
• sliny MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• králíci MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• kortikosteron * MeSH

Formation and consolidation of memories for highly stressful (traumatic) events is a complex process that involves interplay between multiple memory systems and has implications for etiology and treatment of stress- and trauma-related disorders. Here we study effects of sleep/wake states and high intra-hippocampal corticosterone on consolidation of aversive contextual memories, as well as consolidation of association between auditory unpaired phasic background cues and fear response in rats. Animals were implanted with EEG and EMG electrodes for sleep assessment and cannulas for intra-hippocampal corticosterone application. They were familiarized to a "safe box" and then trained in a fear conditioning paradigm in a distinct "shock box" with a prominent unpaired phasic background auditory cue. Immediately after conditioning, animals received bilateral intra-hippocampal saline (1 μl) or corticosterone (10 ng in 1 μl) injection and were either allowed to sleep or were kept awake for a following two-hour consolidation period. Memory tests 24 h later revealed that the saline-injected animals that slept during consolidation had significantly stronger fear responses in the shock box compared to the safe box as well as increased fear response in response to the auditory cue. Lack of sleep during the consolidation period in saline injected animals led to generalization of the fear response to the safe context, while association between auditory cue and fear response was preserved. High intra-hippocampal corticosterone levels during memory consolidation led to generalization of fear response to the safe context, regardless of sleep/wake state, while enhancement of response to auditory cue was not observed. Our results show how manipulation of conditions during consolidation can lead to greatly variable memories for an aversive episode with distinct behavioral outcomes. Observed overgeneralization of fear to safe context and altered fear response to background phasic cue has implications for understanding etiology of pathological memory alternations in stress-related conditions e.g., in posttraumatic stress disorder in humans.

• Klíčová slova
• Corticosterone, Fear conditioning, Hippocampus, Memory consolidation, Sleep,
• MeSH
• hipokampus fyziologie   MeSH
• kortikosteron * farmakologie   MeSH
• krysa rodu Rattus MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• paměť * fyziologie   MeSH
• spánek fyziologie   MeSH
• strach fyziologie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• krysa rodu Rattus MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• kortikosteron * MeSH

Stress responses are activated by the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA axis), culminating in the release of glucocorticoids. During prolonged periods of secretion of glucocorticoids or inappropriate behavioral responses to a stressor, pathologic conditions may occur. Increased glucocorticoid concentration is linked to generalized anxiety, and there are knowledge gaps regarding its regulation. It is known that the HPA axis is under GABAergic control, but the contribution of the individual subunits of the GABA receptor is largely unknown. In this study, we investigated the relationship between the α5 subunit and corticosterone levels in a new mouse model deficient for Gabra5, which is known to be linked to anxiety disorders in humans and phenologs observed in mice. We observed decreased rearing behavior, suggesting lower anxiety in the Gabra5-/- animals; however, such a phenotype was absent in the open field and elevated plus maze tests. In addition to decreased rearing behavior, we also found decreased levels of fecal corticosterone metabolites in Gabra5-/- mice indicating a lowered stress response. Moreover, based on the electrophysiological recordings where we observed a hyperpolarized state of hippocampal neurons, we hypothesize that the constitutive ablation of the Gabra5 gene leads to functional compensation with other channels or GABA receptor subunits in this model.

• Klíčová slova
• GABA receptor, anxiety, behavior, corticosterone, mouse model,
• MeSH
• glukokortikoidy * MeSH
• kortikosteron * MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• myši MeSH
• receptory GABA-A genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• receptory GABA metabolismus   MeSH
• systém hypofýza - nadledviny metabolismus   MeSH
• systém hypotalamus-hypofýza metabolismus   MeSH
• úzkost MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• myši MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• GABRA5 protein, human MeSH Prohlížeč
• Gabra5 protein, mouse MeSH Prohlížeč
• glukokortikoidy * MeSH
• kortikosteron * MeSH
• receptory GABA-A MeSH
• receptory GABA MeSH

Misaligned feeding may lead to pancreatic insufficiency, however, whether and how it affects circadian clock in the exocrine pancreas is not known. We exposed rats to a reversed restricted feeding regimen (rRF) for 10 or 20 days and analyzed locomotor activity, daily profiles of hormone levels (insulin, glucagon, and corticosterone) in plasma, and clock gene expression in the liver and endocrine and exocrine pancreas. In addition, we monitored responses of the exocrine pancreatic clock in organotypic explants of mPer2Luc mice in real time to acetylcholine, insulin, and glucocorticoids. rRF phase-reversed the clock in the endocrine pancreas, similar to the clock in the liver, but completely abolished clock gene rhythmicity and significantly downregulated the expression of Cpb1 and Cel in the exocrine pancreas. rRF desynchronized the rhythms of plasma insulin and corticosterone. Daily profiles of their receptor expression differed in the two parts of the pancreas and responded differently to rRF. Additionally, the pancreatic exocrine clock responded differently to treatments with insulin and the glucocorticoid analog dexamethasone in vitro. Mathematical simulation confirmed that the long-term misalignment between these two hormonal signals, as occurred under rRF, may lead to dampening of the exocrine pancreatic clock. In summary, our data suggest that misaligned meals impair the clock in the exocrine part of the pancreas by uncoupling insulin and corticosterone rhythms. These findings suggest a new mechanism by which adverse dietary habits, often associated with shift work in humans, may impair the clock in the exocrine pancreas and potentially contribute to exocrine pancreatic insufficiency.

• Klíčová slova
• Circadian clock, Dexamethasone, Insulin, Misaligned feeding, Pancreas, mPer2Luc mouse,
• MeSH
• cirkadiánní hodiny * fyziologie   MeSH
• cirkadiánní rytmus fyziologie   MeSH
• glukokortikoidy MeSH
• inzulin metabolismus   MeSH
• kortikosteron metabolismus   farmakologie   MeSH
• krysa rodu Rattus MeSH
• myši MeSH
• pankreas exokrinní * metabolismus   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• krysa rodu Rattus MeSH
• myši MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• glukokortikoidy MeSH
• inzulin MeSH
• kortikosteron MeSH

Exposure to chronic stress stimulates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and then simultaneously inhibits hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis (HPG) axis activity. The inhibition formed by the HPA axis is the main mechanism of action of stress on reproductive function. HPG axis activity is known to be changed by various factors, including exercise. Exercise has been found to have a number of positive effects on sexual behavior, reproductive hormones, and sperm parameters in studies with animal models for many years. The main aim of this study is to investigate the effects of chronic treadmill exercise on chronically stressed-male rats' sexual behavior, reproductive hormones, and sperm parameters. A total of 40 sexually adult male rats were randomly and equally divided into four groups as control, stress, exercise, and stress+exercise. Animals in the exercise group were subjected to the chronic treadmill exercise (moderate intensity) for 33 days with a periodic increase in speed and duration. Animals in the stress group were exposed to restraint stress for 1 h, 2 h, and 3 h during the first, second and third 15 days respectively. Sexual behavior parameters, hormone measurements, and sperm parameters were evaluated. The main effects of chronic exercise on sexual behavior were centered on a significant increase in the ejaculation frequency (EF) in the stress+exercise group. Also, sperm concentration and motility in the stress group significantly decreased, and then sperm motility was improved by exercise in the stress+exercise group. In sum, our results show that chronic treadmill exercise may improve the adverse effects of chronic stress on sexual behavior and sperm parameters in male rats in terms of some parameters.

• MeSH
• fyzické omezení MeSH
• kondiční příprava zvířat psychologie   MeSH
• kortikosteron krev   MeSH
• krysa rodu Rattus MeSH
• luteinizační hormon krev   MeSH
• motilita spermií * MeSH
• počet spermií * MeSH
• potkani Sprague-Dawley MeSH
• psychický stres krev   patofyziologie   MeSH
• sexuální chování * MeSH
• testosteron krev   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• krysa rodu Rattus MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• kortikosteron MeSH
• luteinizační hormon MeSH
• testosteron MeSH

The membrane cholesterol was found to bind and modulate the function of several G-protein coupled receptors including muscarinic acetylcholine receptors. We investigated the binding of 20 steroidal compounds including neurosteroids and steroid hormones to muscarinic receptors. Corticosterone, progesterone and some neurosteroids bound to muscarinic receptors with the affinity of 100 nM or greater. We established a structure-activity relationship for steroid-based allosteric modulators of muscarinic receptors. Further, we show that corticosterone and progesterone allosterically modulate the functional response of muscarinic receptors to acetylcholine at physiologically relevant concentrations. It can play a role in stress control or in pregnancy, conditions where levels of these hormones dramatically oscillate. Allosteric modulation of muscarinic receptors via the cholesterol-binding site represents a new pharmacological approach at diseases associated with altered cholinergic signalling.

• Klíčová slova
• Allosteric modulation, Muscarinic receptor, Neurosteroid, Steroid hormone,
• MeSH
• acetylcholin metabolismus   MeSH
• alosterická regulace MeSH
• hormony kůry nadledvin metabolismus   MeSH
• kortikosteron metabolismus   MeSH
• křečci praví MeSH
• kultivované buňky MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• neurosteroidy metabolismus   MeSH
• pohlavní steroidní hormony metabolismus   MeSH
• progesteron metabolismus   MeSH
• receptory muskarinové metabolismus   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• křečci praví MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• acetylcholin MeSH
• hormony kůry nadledvin MeSH
• kortikosteron MeSH
• neurosteroidy MeSH
• pohlavní steroidní hormony MeSH
• progesteron MeSH
• receptory muskarinové MeSH

Glucocorticoids (GCs) are hormones that are released in response to stressors and exhibit many activities, including immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory activities. They are primarily synthesized in the adrenal gland but are also produced in peripheral tissues via regeneration of adrenal 11-oxo metabolites or by de novo synthesis from cholesterol. The present study investigated the influence of the microbiota on de novo steroidogenesis and regeneration of corticosterone in the intestine of germ-free (GF) and specific pathogen-free mice challenged with a physical stressor (anti-CD3 antibody i.p. injection). In the small intestine, acute immune stress resulted in increased mRNA levels of the proinflammatory cytokines IL1β, IL6 and Tnfα and genes involved in de novo steroidogenesis (Stard3 and Cyp11a1), as well as in regeneration of active GCs from their 11-oxo metabolites (Hsd11b1). GF mice showed a generally reduced transcriptional response to immune stress, which was accompanied by decreased intestinal corticosterone production and reduced expression of the GC-sensitive marker Fkbp5. In contrast, the interaction between stress and the microbiota was not detected at the level of plasma corticosterone or the transcriptional response of adrenal steroidogenic enzymes. The results indicate a differential immune stress-induced intestinal response to proinflammatory stimuli and local corticosterone production driven by the gut microbiota.

• Klíčová slova
• 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, anti-CD3 antibody, extra-adrenal steroidogenesis, glucocorticoids, intestine, microbiome,
• MeSH
• 11-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenasy genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• kortikosteron metabolismus   MeSH
• kvantitativní polymerázová řetězová reakce MeSH
• myši MeSH
• steroidy metabolismus   MeSH
• střevní mikroflóra fyziologie   MeSH
• tandemová hmotnostní spektrometrie MeSH
• tenké střevo metabolismus   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• myši MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• 11-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenasy MeSH
• kortikosteron MeSH
• steroidy MeSH