prostaglandin-d2 and Hypoglycemia

Prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) is associated with a diverse array of functions in mammals including regulation of appetite, body temperature, sleep, and immune responses. Although much is known about the effects of PGD2 in mammals, there is a lack of information about its effects in birds. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to determine if intracerebroventricular (ICV) and intraperitoneal (IP) injections of PGD2 affect feeding, voluntary movement, crop-emptying rate, corticosterone release, and cloacal temperature in chicks (Gallus gallus). ICV injection of PGD2 was associated with a reduction in food intake, a reduction in voluntary movement, an increase in the time spent sitting, a decline in crop emptying rate, and also short-term hypothermia. Central injection of PGD2 also decreased the plasma glucose concentration in chicks while it tended to increase the plasma corticosterone concentration. On the other hand, except for crop emptying, such physiological changes are not observed after IP injection of PGD2. In sum, the present study suggests that PGD2 induces anorexia, change in behavior, decline in crop empting rate, hypoglycemia and hypothermia, but most of these effects are exerted via central nervous system in chicks.

Topics: Animals; Anorexia; Body Temperature; Chickens; Corticosterone; Feeding Behavior; Hypoglycemia; Hypothermia; Locomotion; Male; Prostaglandin D2

The insulin sensitizing thiazolidinedione drugs, rosiglitazone and pioglitazone are specific peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma agonists and reduce pro-inflammatory responses in patients with type 2 diabetes and coronary artery disease, and may be beneficial in sepsis. Sepsis was induced in 8-10-wk-old C57BL/6 mice by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) with a 22 -g double puncture technique. Mice received an i.p. injection of vehicle (DMSO:PBS) or pioglitazone (20 mg/kg) at 1 h and 6 h after CLP, and were sacrificed at various time points. In sepsis, vehicle-treated mice had hypoglycemia, increased lung injury and increased lung neutrophil infiltration. Pro-inflammatory plasma cytokines were increased, but the plasma adipokine, adiponectin, was decreased in vehicle-treated septic mice. This corresponded with inhibitor κB (IκBα) protein degradation and an increase in NF-κB activity in lung. Pioglitazone treatment improved plasma Glc and adiponectin levels, and decreased pro-inflammatory cytokines. Lung IκBα protein expression increased and corresponded with a decrease in NF-κB activity in the lung from pioglitazone-treated mice. Pioglitazone reduces the inflammatory response in polymicrobial sepsis in part through inhibition of NF-κB and may be a novel therapy in sepsis.

Topics: Adipokines; Animals; Cytokines; Hypoglycemia; Hypoglycemic Agents; I-kappa B Proteins; Inflammation; Lung; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; NF-kappa B; Pioglitazone; PPAR gamma; Prostaglandin D2; Sepsis; Thiazolidinediones