Abstract

Taste signals and nutrient stimuli sensed by the gastrointestinal tract are transmitted to the brain to regulate feeding behavior and energy homeostasis. This system is referred to as the gut-brain axis. Here we show that both brush cells and type II taste cells are eliminated in the gastrointestinal tract of transcription factor Skn-1 knockout (KO) mice. Despite unaltered food intake, Skn-1 KO mice have reduced body weight with lower body fat due to increased energy expenditure. In this model, 24-h urinary excretion of catecholamines was significantly elevated, accompanied by increased fatty acid β-oxidation and fuel dissipation in skeletal muscle and impaired insulin secretion driven by glucose. These results suggest the existence of brain-mediated energy homeostatic pathways originating from brush cells and type II taste cells in the gastrointestinal tract and ending in peripheral tissues, including the adrenal glands. The discovery of food-derived factors that regulate these cells may open new avenues the treatment of obesity and diabetes. Taste signals and nutrient stimuli sensed by the gastrointestinal tract are transmitted to the brain to regulate feeding behavior and energy homeostasis along the gut-brain axis. We propose the concept that taste-receiving cells in the oral cavity and/or food-borne chemicals-receiving brush cells in the gut are involved in regulation of the body weight and adiposity via the brain. The discovery of food-derived factors that regulate these cells may open new avenues for the treatment of obesity and diabetes.

Abstract

Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine-metabolic dysfunction that affects 6 to 10% of women of reproductive age. It is characterize by chronic anovulation, hyperandrogenism and the presence of metabolic complications such as obesity, dyslipidemia, arterial hypertension, coronary artery disease and fatty liver. The objective of this research was to characterize the endocrine-metabolic and anthropometric profile in a group of patients diagnosed with PCOS. The population consisted of 81 patients who attended the gynecologic clinic of the Urban Outpatient Type II "Dr. Ramón Gualdrón"from Barquisimeto-Lara State, of which only 50 patients met the criteria of the 2003 Rotterdam Consensus for the diagnosis of PCOS. According to the results of this study, the endocrine profile of the patients is characterized by normal levels of progesterone and free testosterone and insulin in the normal upper range; lipid profile within normal parameters as well as average values of uric acid; the HOMA Index indicated insulin resistance. Regarding the anthropometric profile, the patients were mostly overweight with a waist/hip index indicativeof an android type fatty distribution. In conclusion, the endocrine-metabolic and anthropometric profile observed corresponds to SOP, in which the state of insulin resistance shown by the HOMA index constitute the central pathophysiological axis.