A secretin i.v. infusion activates gene expression in the central amygdala of rats.
For the last 100 years secretin has been extensively studied for its hormonal effects on digestion. Recent observations that the deficits in social reciprocity skills seen in young (3-4-year-old) autistic children are improved after secretin infusions suggest an additional influence on neuronal activity. We show here that i.v. administration of secretin in rats induces Fos protein expression in the neurons of the central amygdala as well as the area postrema, bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, external lateral parabrachial nucleus and supraoptic nucleus. However, secretin infusion did not induce Fos expression in the solitary tract nucleus or paraventricular nucleus, regions normally activated by related peptides such as cholecystokinin. The peak blood levels of secretin that induce Fos protein expression in rat brain are similar to the peak blood levels observed during i.v. treatment with secretin in humans. The amygdala is known to be critical for developing reciprocal social interaction skills and abnormalities in this brain region have been demonstrated in autistic children.
Goulet
M
M
Repligen Corporation, Building 1, Suite 100, 41 Seyon Street, Waltham, MA 02453, USA.
Shiromani
P J
PJ
Ware
C M
CM
Strong
R A
RA
Boismenu
R
R
Rusche
J R
JR
D000679:Amygdala / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D031608:Area Postrema / Q000378:metabolism; D019540:Area Under Curve; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000494:pharmacology; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D010455:Peptides / Q000494:pharmacology; D051219:Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide; D011149:Pons / Q000378:metabolism; D016760:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012633:Secretin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D012686:Septal Nuclei / Q000378:metabolism; D012844:Sincalide / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D013495:Supraoptic Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism; D013997:Time Factors; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide / Q000494:pharmacology
C495401:ADCYAP1 protein, human; C495403:Adcyap1 protein, rat; D009479:Neuropeptides; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D010455:Peptides; D051219:Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide; D016760:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos; D012633:Secretin; D014660:Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide; C044201:cholecystokinin (26-33); D012844:Sincalide