Changes of hypothalamic alpha-MSH and CART peptide expression in diet-induced obese rats.
Two hypothalamic peptides, cocaine and amphetamine-regulated transcript (CART) and alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH), recognized as anorexigenic neuropeptides to suppress the feeding behavior, were monitored in rats fed with a high-fat (HIF) diet for 14 weeks. While half of the rats developed obesity (diet-induced obese, DIO), some did not (diet resistant, DR). Compared to the DR rats and the control rats (fed with standard chow), DIO rats were accompanied by a markedly higher energy intake and a decrease in the number of neurons carrying alpha-MSH and CART peptide in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus. Failure of hypothalamic anorexigenic peptides CART and alpha-MSH to increase their content in response to HIF diet may play a key role for overly high energy consumption, resulting in obesity.
Tian
De-Run
DR
Neuroscience Research Institute, Peking University, 38 Xue-Yuan Road, Beijing 100083, PR China.
Li
Xiao-Dong
XD
Shi
Yu-Shun
YS
Wan
You
Y
Wang
Xiao-Min
XM
Chang
Jaw-Kang
JK
Yang
Jun
J
Han
Ji-Sheng
JS
D000818:Animals; D001111:Arcuate Nucleus of Hypothalamus / Q000378:metabolism; D001835:Body Weight; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002149:Energy Intake; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000187:drug effects*; D015870:Gene Expression; D008297:Male; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D009765:Obesity / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D000521:alpha-MSH / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D000098882:Cocaine- and Amphetamine-Regulated Transcript Protein
D004041:Dietary Fats; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D000098882:Cocaine- and Amphetamine-Regulated Transcript Protein; D000521:alpha-MSH