In this analysis, we aimed to investigate the effect of COVID-19 disease on eating behavior. A total of 55 right-handed adults, <50 years of age, without overweight or obesity, from two cross-sectional studies were included. The first one enrolled subjects between September 2018 and December 2019 (non-COVID-19 group). The second one included subjects enrolled between March 2022 and May 2023; for this analysis, 28 with a history of COVID-19 (COVID-19 group) were retained. Hunger, TFEQ-18, plasma ghrelin, neuropeptide Y (NPY) and resting-state fMRI were assessed during fasting. Intraregional neuronal synchronicity and connectivity were assessed by voxel-based regional homogeneity (ReHo) and degree of centrality (DC). Significantly higher ghrelin and NPY levels were observed in the COVID-19 group than in the non-COVID-19 group (ghrelin 197.5 pg/mL vs. 67.1 pg/mL, p < 0.001; NPY 128.0 pg/mL vs. 84.5 pg/mL, p = 0.005). The NPY levels positively correlated with the DC and ReHo in the left lingual (r = 0.67785 and r = 0.73604, respectively). Similar scores were noted for cognitive restraint, uncontrolled eating and emotional eating in both groups according to the TFEQ-18 questionnaire results (p > 0.05 for all). Our data showed increased levels of appetite-related hormones, correlated with activity in brain regions involved in appetite regulation, persisting long after COVID-19 infection.

BACKGROUND: Depression is one of the most common mental illnesses. Impaired neurogenesis is observed in depression. Biomarkers of impaired neurogenesis in depression can act as a useful objective and diagnostic and prognostic tool to determine the severity of depression.
OBJECTIVE: To study the concentration of biochemical indicators in the blood that may be involved in the pathogenesis of depression and their intercorrelations, and to determine any associations between the concentrations of biochemical indicators and severity of depressive symptoms.
METHODS: We determined the plasma concentrations of serotonin, dopamine, and neurotrophic factors involved in neurogenesis (BDNF, CDNF and neuropeptide Y) using enzyme immunoassay and mass spectrometry in depressed patients (n=22) and healthy controls (n=16) matched by socio-demographic parameters. All participants were assessed using the Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD), the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire (GAD-7), and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) to enter the study. The standard cut-offs for the CES-D and GAD-7 scales were used to confirm the presence or absence of depression and anxiety.
RESULTS: The concentrations of serotonin, dopamine, BDNF, CDNF, and neuropeptide Y in plasma did not differ between the groups and was not found to be associated with the scores on the scales. Positive correlations were found between the concentration of neuropeptide Y and serotonin, BDNF, and CDNF in blood plasma.
CONCLUSIONS: Plasma concentrations of biomarkers related to the pathophysiology of depression did not correlate with the severity of its symptoms.
UNASSIGNED: Изучение концентрации биохимических показателей в крови, принимающих возможное участие в патогенезе депрессии, поиск ассоциаций с тяжестью депрессивной симптоматики может быть полезным в качестве объективной диагностики заболевания и прогнозирования тяжести течения патологии.
UNASSIGNED: Изучение биохимических показателей крови, которые могут быть связаны с депрессией. Определения корреляционной взаимосвязи этих показателей при депрессивных расстройствах.
UNASSIGNED: В работе определяли концентрацию в плазме крови моноаминовых нейромедиаторов серотонина и дофамина, и нейротрофических факторов, участвующих в нейрогенезе (BDNF, CDNF и нейропептид Y) у пациентов с депрессией и здоровых добровольцев с одинаковыми социо-демографическими параметрами, используя методы иммуноферментного анализа и масс-спектрометрии. Все участники исследования были опрошены по шкале депрессии Гамильтона (HAMD), опроснику генерализованного тревожного расстройства (GAD-7) и опроснику депрессии центра эпидемиологических исследований (CES-D). Показатели шкал CES-D и GAD-7 использовались для подтверждения наличия или отсутствия депрессии и тревоги у участников исследования.
UNASSIGNED: Суммарный балл по трем исследованным шкалам у пациентов с депрессией существенно выше, чем в контрольной группе. Содержание серотонина, дофамина, BDNF, CDNF и нейропептида Y в плазме крови не отличалось в группах испытуемых и не было ассоциировано с баллами по шкалам. Обнаружены положительные корреляции содержания нейропептида Y с серотонином, и BDNF с CDNF в плазме крови.
UNASSIGNED: Исследованные маркеры хоть и связаны с патофизиологией депрессии, не коррелируют с тяжестью симптоматики и содержание их в плазме крови не отражает процессы, происходящие в мозге.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical effect of nape seven needles combined with pressing moxibustion for cervical vertigo (CV).
METHODS: A total of 70 patients with CV were randomized into an observation group and a control group, 35 cases in each group. In the observation group, nape seven needles combined with pressing moxibustion was delivered, once a day, 6 times a week, for consecutive 2 weeks. In the control group, betahistine hydrochloride tablet and aceclofenac dispersible tablet were given orally, for 2 weeks and 3 days respectively. Before and after treatment, the evaluation scale for cervical vertigo (ESCV) score was observed, the plasma levels of neuropeptide Y (NPY), endothelin-1 (ET-1) and calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP) were detected, the hemorheologic and hemodynamic indexes were measured, and the clinical efficacy was evaluated after treatment in the two groups.
RESULTS: After treatment, the scores of dizziness, daily life and work ability, psychological and social adaptability, and headache, as well as the total scores of ESCV were increased compared with those before treatment (P<0.01, P<0.05) in the two groups, and the score and total score of neck and shoulder pain of ESCV was increased compared with that before treatment (P<0.01) in the observation group; each sub-item score and total score of ESCV in the observation group were higher than those in the control group (P<0.01, P<0.05). After treatment, the plasma levels of NPY and ET-1 were decreased compared with those before treatment (P<0.01), while the plasma levels of CGRP were increased compared with those before treatment (P<0.01, P<0.05) in the two groups; the plasma levels of NPY and ET-1 in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.01), the plasma level of CGRP in the observation group was higher than that in the control group (P<0.01). After treatment, the whole blood high shear viscosity, plasma viscosity and whole blood low shear viscosity were decreased compared with those before treatment (P<0.01, P<0.05), the mean velocity of basilar artery (BA), left vertebral artery (LVA) and right vertebral artery (RVA) were increased compared with those before treatment (P<0.05) in the two groups; the whole blood high shear viscosity, plasma viscosity and whole blood low shear viscosity in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.01), and the mean velocity of BA, LVA and RVA in the observation group were higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). The total effective rate in the observation group was 91.4% (32/35), which was superior to 71.4% (25/35) in the control group (P<0.05).
CONCLUSIONS: Nape seven needles combined with pressing moxibustion can effectively alleviate the clinical symptoms, and improve the hemorheology and hemodynamics in CV patients.
目的：观察项七针联合压灸治疗颈性眩晕（CV）的临床疗效。方法：将70例CV患者随机分为观察组和对照组，每组35例。观察组采用项七针联合压灸治疗，每日1次，每周6次，连续治疗2周。对照组予口服盐酸倍他司汀片（2周）和醋氯芬酸分散片（3 d）。分别于治疗前后观察两组患者颈性眩晕症状与功能评估量表（ESCV）评分，检测血浆神经肽Y（NPY）、内皮素-1（ET-1）、降钙素基因相关肽（CGRP）含量及血液流变学、血流动力学指标，并于治疗后评定两组临床疗效。结果：治疗后，两组患者ESCV眩晕、日常生活及工作能力、心理及社会适应能力、头痛评分及总分较治疗前升高（P<0.01，P<0.05），观察组患者颈肩痛评分较治疗前升高（P<0.01）；观察组患者ESCV各项评分及总分均高于对照组（P<0.01，P<0.05）。治疗后，两组患者血浆NPY和ET-1含量较治疗前降低（P<0.01），血浆CGRP含量较治疗前升高(P<0.01，P<0.05)；观察组患者血浆NPY、ET-1含量低于对照组（P<0.01），血浆CGRP含量高于对照组（P<0.01）。治疗后，两组患者全血高切黏度、血浆黏度、全血低切黏度均较治疗前降低（P<0.01，P<0.05），基底动脉（BA）、左侧椎动脉（LVA）、右侧椎动脉（RVA）平均血流速度均较治疗前升高（P<0.05）；观察组患者全血高切黏度、血浆黏度及全血低切黏度均低于对照组（P<0.01），BA、LVA、RVA平均血流速度均高于对照组（P<0.05）。观察组总有效率为91.4%（32/35），高于对照组的71.4%（25/35，P<0.05）。结论：项七针联合压灸可有效减轻CV患者临床症状，改善血液流变学及血流动力学。.

The arcuate nucleus (ARN) of the hypothalamus is involved in multiple biological functions, such as feeding, sexual activity, and the regulation of the cardiovascular system. It was reported that leptin increased c-Fos expression in the proopiomelanocortin (POMC)- and decreased it in the neuropeptide-Y (NPY)-positive neurons of the ARN, suggesting that it stimulates the former, and inhibits the later. This study aimed at the direct electrophysiological examination of the effect of leptin on ARN neurons and to investigate potential sex-dimorphic changes. Wistar rats were anesthetized with urethane and the electrodes were inserted into the ARN. After a spontaneous active neuron was recorded for at least one minute, leptin was administered intravenously, and the firing activity of the same neuron was recorded for two additional minutes. It was found that approximately half of the ARN neurons had an excitatory, and another half an inhibitory response to the leptin administration. The excitability of the neurons with excitatory response to leptin was not different between the sexes. The average firing rate of the neurons with inhibitory response to leptin in females was, however, significantly lower comparing to the males. The obtained results demonstrate that the ARN neurons with stimulatory response to leptin are POMC and those with inhibitory response are NPY neurons. NPY Y1 receptor be might responsible, at least in part, for the sex differences in the excitability of the neurons putatively identified as NPY neurons.

Carotid plaque (CP) formation is an important consequence of atherosclerosis and leads to significant complications. Levels of neuropeptide Y (NPY), which is a sympathetic neurotransmitter, are elevated in cardiovascular diseases. It also has important roles in inflammatory conditions. This study aimed to explore the relationship between serum NPY and CP and to study further the influence of NPY and inflammatory factors on CP.
This cross-sectional study was conducted among 300 adults who underwent a health examination at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University in Fujian Province, of whom 177 were finally enrolled. The participants were divided into the CP (n = 120) and non-CP (NCP) or control (n = 57) groups according to the results of carotid artery color Doppler ultrasound. The CP group was further classified into stable plaque (SP, n = 80) and vulnerable plaque (VP, n = 40) groups based on plaque characteristics. Serum NPY and pro-inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels were examined. Univariate and correlation analyses were used to evaluate the correlation between serum NPY levels, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and the CP phenotype.
The serum NPY and TNF-α levels of patients in the CP group were significantly higher than those in individuals from the NCP group [ (177.30 ± 43.29) pg.mL- 1 vs. (121.53 ± 40.16)pg.mL- 1, P < 0.001; (41.94 ± 14.19) pg.mL- 1 vs.(33.54 ± 13.37)pg.mL- 1, P = 0.003]. The serum NPY levels of the patients in the VP group were significantly higher than those in patients from the SP group [(191.67 ± 39.87)ng.L- 1 vs.(170.12 ± 43.37)ng.L- 1, P = 0.01, P < 0.05]. Serum TNF-α and NPY levels were positively correlated among patients from the CP group (r = 0.184, P = 0.044). The binary logistic regression analysis showed that serum NPY and TNF-α were independent influencing factors of CP [(OR = 1.029, P < 0.001);(OR = 1.030, P = 0.023)]. The area under the ROC curve of NPY predicting the CP showed statistical significance at a value of 0.819.
Together, elevated serum NPY levels seem to be associated with the occurrence of coronary atherosclerosis in Chinese adults.

BACKGROUND: The anterior lobe of the insular cortex (aINS) is a cortical region that has reciprocal connections with limbic centers such as the anterior cingulate cortex, prefrontal cortex, amygdala and nucleus accumbens (NAc). In fact, the aINS has been involved in the integration of autonomic information for emotional and motivational functions. The compulsive consumption of drugs or high-fat foods induces alterations at both behavioural and brain levels. Brain reward circuits are altered in response to continued intake, in particular the dopaminergic projections from the ventral tegmental area (VTA) to the NAc. The aINS has multiple connections with the components of this system. In recent years, efforts have been made to better understand the fundamental role of the aINS in addiction, making it one of the key centres of interest for research into new treatments for addiction.
OBJECTIVE: The present work focuses on studying 1.- whether the human aINS expresses orexigenic peptides such as neuropeptide Y (NPY), a peptide known to induce hyperphagia, and which has been implicated in the onset and development of obesity, 2.- the long-term effect of an obesogenic diet on NPY expression in the aINS and NAc of C57BL/6 mice.
METHODS: A total of 17 female C57BL/6 J mice were used in this study. Female mice were fed ad libitum with water and, either a standard diet (SD) or a high-fat diet (HFD) to induce obesity. There were seven female mice on the SD and ten on the HFD. The duration of the experiment was 180 days. We also studied 3 human adult brains (1 male and 2 females, mean age 55.7 ± 5.2 years). The morphological study was performed using immunohistochemistry and double immunofluorescence techniques to study the neurochemical profile of NPY neurons of the aINS and NAc of humans and mice.
RESULTS: Our morphological analysis demonstrates for the first time the basal expression of NPY in different layers of the human cortex (II, III, IV, V/VI), in a pattern similar to previous studies in other species. Furthermore, we observed an increase in the number of NPY-positive cells and their intracytoplasmic signal in the aINS and NAc of the obese mice subjected to a long-term obesogenic diet.
CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is the first study to show the distribution and expression of NPY in the human INS and how its expression is altered after prolonged treatment with an obesogenic diet in obese mice. Our findings may contribute to the understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying obesity in regions related to the reward system and associated with uncontrolled intake of high-fat foods, thus facilitating the identification of novel therapeutic targets.

Positive allosteric modulators targeting the Y4 receptor (Y4R), a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) involved in the regulation of satiety, offer great potential in anti-obesity research. In this study, we selected 603 compounds by using quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) models and tested them in high-throughput screening (HTS). Here, the novel positive allosteric modulator (PAM) VU0506013 was identified, which exhibits nanomolar affinity and pronounced selectivity toward the Y4R in engineered cell lines and mouse descending colon mucosa natively expressing the Y4R. Based on this lead structure, we conducted a systematic SAR study in two regions of the scaffold and presented a series of 27 analogues with modifications in the N- and C-terminal heterocycles of the molecule to obtain insight into functionally relevant positions. By mutagenesis and computational docking, we present a potential binding mode of VU0506013 in the transmembrane core of the Y4R. VU0506013 presents a promising scaffold for developing in vivo tools to move toward anti-obesity drug research focused on the Y4R.

BACKGROUND: Apart from the positive effect of lumbar traction on structural changes within the spine in patients with low back pain, it is likely that therapeutic effects are correlated with pain biomarkers in the blood. Among them, systemic metabolic factors related to obesity may play an important role. This is the first study designed to examine the effectiveness of traction therapy in two experimental groups with considerably different BMI and to assess relationships between blood biomarkers and low back pain intensity.
METHODS: In the prospective clinical trial, women suffering from chronic low back pain were allocated into the normal-weight or obesity groups. Patients in both groups underwent twenty sessions of lumbar traction therapy (30 min a day, continuous mode with a force level of 25-30% of body weight). Before and after therapy subjective assessments of pain (VAS and PPT) were performed, and serum concentrations of aggrecan chondroitin sulfate 846 epitope (CS-846), neuropeptide Y, leptin, adipsin and growth and differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15) were determined. The data were statistically evaluated for 28 women.
RESULTS: After therapy, the maximal low back pain decreased in both groups, GDF-15 concentration was reduced in the normal-weight group and increased in the obesity group, and CS-846 concentration decreased in the obesity group. The sensation of PPT in the lumbar spine and mean concentrations of neuropeptide Y, leptin and adipsin did not change in both groups. However, the relationships of GDF-15, leptin, and adipsin concentrations with the perception of pain were revealed.
CONCLUSIONS: Distinct differences between the normal-weight and obesity groups pointed on the role of excessive adipose tissue in aggravating the inflammatory processes and in the development of low back pain. Adipsin, CS-846 and GDF-15 aspire to be the low back pain biomarkers in women with obesity, but there is a need for further research to answer whether they might be considered reliable biomarkers for the prognosis and monitoring of chronic low back treatment.
BACKGROUND: NCT04507074, registered prospectively on July 6, 2020.

Neuropeptide Ys (NPYs) contribute to sympathetic-adreno stimulation: NPY1-36 potentiates the effects of catecholamines (CATs), whereas NPY3-36 inhibits CAT release. We sought to investigate whether inhibiting dipeptidyl-peptidase-4 (DPP4), cleaving NPY1-36 into NPY3-36, leads to increased NPY1-36 potentiating effects and reduced NPY3-36 inhibitory effects on CATs, thereby improving endurance performance. Seven male participants (age 27 ± 3 years, BMI 23.1 ± 2.4 kg/m2 ) performed time-to-exhaustion cycling exercise at 95% of peak power output with either placebo, or saxagliptin, a DPP4 inhibitor. Oxygen consumption (V̇O2 ), heart rate variability, NPY1-36, NPY3-36, catecholamines, and lactate were measured at several time points before, during, and after exercise. With saxagliptin, DPP4 activity (12.7 ± 1.6 vs. 0.2 ± 0.3 U/L, p = 0.001; d = 10.7) was decreased at rest, while NPY3-36 (1.94 ± 0.88 vs. 0.73 ± 0.22 pm; p < 0.001; d = 2.04) decreased and NPY1-36 increased during exercise (2.64 ± 2.22 vs. 4.59 ± 2.98 pm; p < 0.01; d = 0.19). CATs were unchanged. Time-to-exhaustion was 32% higher with saxagliptin. The difference in time-to-exhaustion between placebo and saxagliptin was correlated with NPY1-36 differences (R = 0.78, p < 0.05). Peak V̇O2 and other cardio-respiratory values were not different, whereas peak NPY concentrations were higher with saxagliptin. DPP4 blockade improved performance, increased NPY1-36, and decreased NPY3-36 concentrations which may have potentiating effects on the influences of CATs. However, DPP4 is involved in many different actions, thus NPYs are one group of factors that may underly its performance-enhancing effects; further studies are required to determine the exact mechanisms.

Background: Neurocytokines may upregulate or downregulate neuropathic pain. We hypothesized that dextrose (D-glucose) injections for therapeutic purposes (dextrose prolotherapy: DPT) in painful knee osteoarthritis (KOA) would favorably affect synovial-fluid neurocytokine concentrations. Methods: Twenty participants with grade IV symptomatic KOA received synovial-fluid aspiration followed by dextrose or simulated dextrose injections, followed by the reverse after one week. All participants then received open-label dextrose injections monthly for 6 months, with serial assessments of walking pain at 20 min for 9 months, as well as synovial-neurocytokine-concentration measurements (calcitonin gene-related peptide, substance P (SP), and neuropeptide Y (NPY)) at one week and three months. Results: Clinically important analgesia was observed at 20 min and for 9 months post dextrose injection. One -week synovial-fluid SP concentration rose by 111% (p = 0.028 within groups and p = 0.07 between groups) in the dextrose-injected knees compared to synovial-fluid aspiration only. Three-month synovial-fluid NPY concentration dropped substantially (65%; p < 0.001) after open-label dextrose injection in all knees. Conclusions: Prompt and medium-term analgesia after intra-articular dextrose injection in KOA was accompanied by potentially favorable changes in synovial-fluid neurocytokines SP and NPY, respectively, although these changes were isolated. Including neurocytokines in future assessments of DPT to elucidate mechanisms of action is recommended.