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Cortisol and Dexamethasone Mediate Glucocorticoid Actions in the Lesser Spotted Catshark (Scyliorhinus canicula)

Authors :
Juncal Cabrera-Busto
Juan M. Mancera
Ignacio Ruiz-Jarabo
Source :
Biology, Vol 11, Iss 1, p 56 (2021)
Publication Year :
2021
Publisher :
MDPI AG, 2021.

Abstract

Corticosteroids are hormones produced in vertebrates exerting gluco- and mineralocorticoid actions (GC and MC) mediated by specific receptors (GR and MR, respectively). In elasmobranchs, the major circulating corticosteroid is the 1α-hydroxycorticosterone (1α-OHB). This hormone acts as a MC, but to date its role as a GC has not been established. As there is no 1α-OHB standard available, here we employed a set of in vivo and ex vivo approaches to test GC actions of other corticosteroids in the lesser spotted catshark (Scyliorhinus canicula). Dexamethasone (DEX, a synthetic corticosteroid) slow-release implants decreased plasma 1α-OHB levels after 7 days, and modified carbohydrates metabolism in liver and white muscle (energy stores and metabolic enzymes). In addition, ex vivo culture of liver and white muscle explants confirmed GC actions of corticosteroids not naturally present in sharks (cortisol and DEX) by increasing glucose secretion from these tissues. Dose–response curves induced by cortisol and DEX, altogether with the use of specific GR inhibitor mifepristone, confirmed the involvement of GR mediating glucose secretion. This study highlights the influence of corticosteroids in the glucose balance of S. canicula, though the role of 1α-OHB as a GC hormone in sharks should be further confirmed.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
20797737
Volume :
11
Issue :
1
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Biology
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.843665da49a14765808c99774e95b3f7
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3390/biology11010056