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Neuroendocrine Factors in Health and Disease
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Neuroendocrine Factors in Health and Disease

A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Neurobiology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 May 2022) | Viewed by 15484

Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Daniela Jezova

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute of Experimental Endocrinology of the Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
Interests: stress research; psychosocial stress models in humans; risk factors of psychiatric disorders; animal models of depression and anxiety; patients with major depressive disorder; brain to peripheral tissues relationships; neuroendocrinology; psychopharmacology; physiology; neurodevelopment

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The neural and endocrine systems perform the main regulatory functions in the body. The classical endocrine pathways are well known. However, there is still not enough knowledge on the molecular mechanisms involved, on the interactions of individual factors, and particularly, on their significance for healthy and pathological processes. All neuroendocrine functions are under the control of the central nervous system, in particular, of the hippocampus and the hypothalamus. Hormones produced by the pituitary and peripheral endocrine glands are the executive molecules.

Cumulating research achievements have changed the view of the classical roles of hormonal systems in the body as well as of their associations with disease states. For example, reproductive hormones are associated with cardiovascular physiology and heart disease. Blood volume-regulating hormones appear to play a role in the development and course of psychiatric disorders.

This Special Issue is focused particularly on new approaches to understand the fucntions of neuroendocrine factors under both physiological and pathophysiological conditions. Welcome are papers evaluating molecular mechanisms in animal models as well as papers with clinical relevance, based on research in which the neuroendocrine system is studied for its potential pathogenetic role or as a target of therapeutic interventions.

Prof. Daniela Jezova
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. International Journal of Molecular Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. There is an Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal. For details about the APC please see here. Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • neuropsychiatric disease states
  • stress markers
  • hormone signaling pathways
  • clinical and translational aspects

Published Papers (3 papers)

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Review

22 pages, 729 KiB  
Review
Role of Somatostatin Signalling in Neuroendocrine Tumours
by Olesja Rogoza, Kaspars Megnis, Marija Kudrjavceva, Aija Gerina-Berzina and Vita Rovite
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(3), 1447; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23031447 - 27 Jan 2022
Cited by 16 | Viewed by 3927
Abstract
Somatostatin (SST) is a small peptide that exerts inhibitory effects on a wide range of neuroendocrine cells. Due to the fact that somatostatin regulates cell growth and hormone secretion, somatostatin receptors (SSTRs) have become valuable targets for the treatment of different types of [...] Read more.
Somatostatin (SST) is a small peptide that exerts inhibitory effects on a wide range of neuroendocrine cells. Due to the fact that somatostatin regulates cell growth and hormone secretion, somatostatin receptors (SSTRs) have become valuable targets for the treatment of different types of neuroendocrine tumours (NETs). NETs are a heterogeneous group of tumours that can develop in various parts of the body, including the digestive system, lungs, and pituitary. NETs are usually slow growing, but they are often diagnosed in advanced stages and can display aggressive behaviour. The mortality rate of NETs is not outstandingly increased compared to other malignant tumours, even in the metastatic setting. One of the intrinsic properties of NETs is the expression of SSTRs that serve as drug targets for SST analogues (SSAs), which can delay tumour progression and downregulate hormone overproduction. Additionally, in many NETs, it has been demonstrated that the SSTR expression level provides a prognostic value in predicting a therapeutic response. Furthermore, higher a SSTR expression correlates with a better survival rate in NET patients. In recent studies, other epigenetic regulators affecting SST signalling or SSA–mTOR inhibitor combination therapy in NETs have been considered as novel strategies for tumour control. In conclusion, SST signalling is a relevant regulator of NET functionality. Alongside classical SSA treatment regimens, future advanced therapies and treatment modalities are expected to improve the disease outcomes and overall health of NET patients. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Neuroendocrine Factors in Health and Disease)
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15 pages, 1007 KiB  
Review
Psychotropic Drug Effects on Steroid Stress Hormone Release and Possible Mechanisms Involved
by Zuzana Romanova, Natasa Hlavacova and Daniela Jezova
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2022, 23(2), 908; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23020908 - 14 Jan 2022
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 3564
Abstract
There is no doubt that chronic stress accompanied by adrenocortical stress hormone release affects the development and treatment outcome of several mental disorders. Less attention has been paid to the effects of psychotropic drugs on adrenocortical steroids, particularly in clinical studies. This review [...] Read more.
There is no doubt that chronic stress accompanied by adrenocortical stress hormone release affects the development and treatment outcome of several mental disorders. Less attention has been paid to the effects of psychotropic drugs on adrenocortical steroids, particularly in clinical studies. This review focuses on the knowledge related to the possible modulation of cortisol and aldosterone secretion under non-stress and stress conditions by antipsychotic drugs, which are being used in the treatment of several psychotic and affective disorders. The molecular mechanisms by which antipsychotic drugs may influence steroid stress hormones include the modulation of central and/or adrenocortical dopamine and serotonin receptors, modulation of inflammatory cytokines, influence on regulatory mechanisms in the central part of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis, inhibition of corticotropin-releasing hormone gene promoters, influencing glucocorticoid receptor-mediated gene transcription, indirect effects via prolactin release, alteration of signaling pathways of glucocorticoid and mineralocorticoid actions. Clinical studies performed in healthy subjects, patients with psychosis, and patients with bipolar disorder suggest that single and repeated antipsychotic treatments either reduce cortisol concentrations or do not affect its secretion. A single and potentially long-term treatment with dopamine receptor antagonists, including antipsychotics, has a stimulatory action on aldosterone release. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Neuroendocrine Factors in Health and Disease)
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21 pages, 1073 KiB  
Review
Stress Adaptation and the Brainstem with Focus on Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone
by Tiago Chaves, Csilla Lea Fazekas, Krisztina Horváth, Pedro Correia, Adrienn Szabó, Bibiána Török, Krisztina Bánrévi and Dóra Zelena
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2021, 22(16), 9090; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22169090 - 23 Aug 2021
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 7280
Abstract
Stress adaptation is of utmost importance for the maintenance of homeostasis and, therefore, of life itself. The prevalence of stress-related disorders is increasing, emphasizing the importance of exploratory research on stress adaptation. Two major regulatory pathways exist: the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenocortical axis and the sympathetic [...] Read more.
Stress adaptation is of utmost importance for the maintenance of homeostasis and, therefore, of life itself. The prevalence of stress-related disorders is increasing, emphasizing the importance of exploratory research on stress adaptation. Two major regulatory pathways exist: the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenocortical axis and the sympathetic adrenomedullary axis. They act in unison, ensured by the enormous bidirectional connection between their centers, the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN), and the brainstem monoaminergic cell groups, respectively. PVN and especially their corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) producing neurons are considered to be the centrum of stress regulation. However, the brainstem seems to be equally important. Therefore, we aimed to summarize the present knowledge on the role of classical neurotransmitters of the brainstem (GABA, glutamate as well as serotonin, noradrenaline, adrenaline, and dopamine) in stress adaptation. Neuropeptides, including CRH, might be co-localized in the brainstem nuclei. Here we focused on CRH as its role in stress regulation is well-known and widely accepted and other CRH neurons scattered along the brain may also complement the function of the PVN. Although CRH-positive cells are present on some parts of the brainstem, sometimes even in comparable amounts as in the PVN, not much is known about their contribution to stress adaptation. Based on the role of the Barrington’s nucleus in micturition and the inferior olivary complex in the regulation of fine motoric—as the main CRH-containing brainstem areas—we might assume that these areas regulate stress-induced urination and locomotion, respectively. Further studies are necessary for the field. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Neuroendocrine Factors in Health and Disease)
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