Reduced hypothalamic somatostatin and neuropeptide Y concentrations in the spontaneously-diabetic Chinese hamster.
Hypothalamic concentrations of six regulatory peptides having central effects on appetite and/or glucoregulation were measured by radioimmunoassay in spontaneously-diabetic Chinese hamsters and in age- and sex-matched non-diabetic control animals. In the diabetic hamsters, hypothalamic concentrations of somatostatin and neuropeptide Y were significantly reduced by 25-30% below controls. None of the other four peptides examined (bombesin, galanin, neurotensin and vasoactive intestinal peptide) differed significantly between the two groups. Disturbances in neuropeptide Y (the most potent central appetite stimulant yet discovered) and in somatostatin could be related to hyperphagia, an early and possibly primary abnormality of the diabetic syndrome in the Chinese hamster.
Williams
G
G
Department of Medicine, Royal Postgraduate Medical School, London, United Kingdom.
Ghatei
M A
MA
Diani
A R
AR
Gerritsen
G C
GC
Bloom
S R
SR
D000818:Animals; D006224:Cricetinae; D003412:Cricetulus; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D009478:Neuropeptide Y / Q000378:metabolism*; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D013004:Somatostatin / Q000378:metabolism*
D009478:Neuropeptide Y; D013004:Somatostatin