title: BVT.3531 reduces body weight and activates K(ATP) channels in isolated arcuate neurons in rats.
abstract: A number of hormones, including leptin, have been shown to inhibit food intake in humans and animals. Analogues of 3-guanidinopropionic acid have also been found to reduce total food intake, but their mechanisms of action have not been well studied. The present study investigated the effects of intracerebroventricular infusion of the analogue BVT.3531 on food intake, meal pattern, and body weight in rats during 7 days. Single channel recordings from arcuate neurons and insulinoma cells were used to determine the effects of BVT.3531 on K(ATP) activity. Data analysis showed that BVT.3531 significantly decreased body weight and food intake, primarily by reducing meal size. BVT.3531 activated K(ATP) channels in cell-attached recordings from insulin-secreting cells and rat arcuate neurons but had no effect on K(ATP) channel activity in inside-out membrane patches from either cell type. BVT.3531 did not alter the firing rate or K(+) channel activity of arcuate neurons devoid of K(ATP). The study suggests that small molecules capable of mimicking the effects of leptin on food intake and body weight may utilize output mechanisms similar to those of leptin to elicit changes in arcuate neuron excitability.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pathology & Neuroscience, University of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee DD1 9SY, UK.
authors.forename: Shirin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mirshamsi
authors.forename: Madelene
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Olsson
authors.forename: Urban
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Arnelo
authors.forename: Jackie M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Kinsella
authors.forename: Johan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Permert
authors.forename: Michael L J
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Ashford
mesh_terms: D000085:Acetates / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D001111:Arcuate Nucleus of Hypothalamus / Q000166:cytology*; D001835:Body Weight / Q000187:drug effects*; D002460:Cell Line; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004435:Eating / Q000187:drug effects; D004594:Electrophysiology; D006146:Guanidines / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D020738:Leptin / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D015394:Molecular Structure; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects*; D024661:Potassium Channels, Inwardly Rectifying / Q000378:metabolism*; D011422:Propionates / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
chemical_list: C424915:2-(1-(hydrazino(imino)methyl)hydrazino)acetic acid; D000085:Acetates; D006146:Guanidines; D020738:Leptin; D024661:Potassium Channels, Inwardly Rectifying; D011422:Propionates; C005775:guanidinopropionic acid