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

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2022-01Department
BiologíaSource
Biology 2022, 11(1), 56Abstract
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 1 -hydroxycorticosterone (1 -OHB). This hormone acts
as a MC, but to date its role as a GC has not been established. As there is no 1 -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 1 -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 1 -OHB as a
GC hormone in sharks should be further confirmed.
Subjects
cortisol; dexamethasone; glucocorticoid receptors; Scyliorhinus canicula; sharksCollections
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