title: Increased insulin sensitivity and decreased body weight in female rats after postnatal corticosterone exposure.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Glucocorticoids are important for normal brain development. Elevation or removal of these hormones can permanently modify the structure and function of the fetal brain. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of postnatal corticosterone exposure of female pups on metabolic, endocrine and anthropometric variables in adulthood.
  
  
  METHODS
  Female pups were given subcutaneous injections of corticosterone (5 mg/kg, CORT) or vehicle 3 and 5 days after birth.
  
  
  RESULTS
  From 6 weeks of age, the CORT rats weighed significantly less than did controls, with diminished fat depots, decreased serum levels of leptin and reduced food intake. Adult CORT rats showed increased insulin sensitivity, measured by hyperinsulinemic, euglycemic clamp (5 mU/kg/min), as compared with controls. CORT rats had lower basal corticosterone levels and lower corticosterone levels 15 and 90 min after exposure to stress.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results indicate that postnatal exposure to corticosterone leads to increased insulin sensitivity, low body weight with diminished fat depots, leptin and food intake. This suggests that postnatal exposure to corticosterone induces specific programming, with consequences in adult life.
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Institute, Goteborg University, Sweden. Cecilia.Nilsson@biovitrum.com
authors.forename: Cecilia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Nilsson
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Jennische
authors.forename: Hoi-Por
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Ho
authors.forename: Elias
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Eriksson
authors.forename: Per
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Björntorp
authors.forename: Agneta
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Holmäng
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D015153:Blotting, Western; D001823:Body Composition; D003345:Corticosterone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004435:Eating; D005260:Female; D015309:Glucose Clamp Technique; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D020738:Leptin / Q000097:blood*; D008124:Locomotion; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D007328:Insulin; D020738:Leptin; D003345:Corticosterone