Interleukin-6-deficient mice develop mature-onset obesity.
The immune-modulating cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) is expressed both in adipose tissue and centrally in hypothalamic nuclei that regulate body composition. We investigated the impact of loss of IL-6 on body composition in mice lacking the gene encoding IL-6 (Il6-/- mice) and found that they developed mature-onset obesity that was partly reversed by IL-6 replacement. The obese Il6-/- mice had disturbed carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, increased leptin levels and decreased responsiveness to leptin treatment. To investigate the possible mechanism and site of action of the anti-obesity effect of IL-6, we injected rats centrally and peripherally with IL-6 at low doses. Intracerebroventricular, but not intraperitoneal IL-6 treatment increased energy expenditure. In conclusion, centrally acting IL-6 exerts anti-obesity effects in rodents.
Wallenius
Ville
V
Research Center for Endocrinology and Metabolism, The Sahlgrenska Academy at Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden.
Wallenius
Kristina
K
Ahrén
Bo
B
Rudling
Mats
M
Carlsten
Hans
H
Dickson
Suzanne L
SL
Ohlsson
Claes
C
Jansson
John-Olov
JO
D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D001823:Body Composition; D003345:Corticosterone / Q000097:blood; D004435:Eating / Q000502:physiology; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test; D007276:Injections, Intraventricular; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000235:genetics / Q000494:pharmacology; D020738:Leptin / Q000097:blood; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008817:Mice, Mutant Strains; D009765:Obesity / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics*; D012737:Sex Factors
D001786:Blood Glucose; D015850:Interleukin-6; D020738:Leptin; D008055:Lipids; D003345:Corticosterone