title: TRPV1-null mice are protected from diet-induced obesity.
abstract: We explored a role for the capsaicin receptor, transient receptor potential channel vanilloid type 1 (TRPV1), in the regulation of feeding and body mass. On a 4.5% fat diet, wild-type and TRPV1-null mice gained equivalent body mass. On an 11% fat diet, however, TRPV1-null mice gained significantly less mass and adiposity; at 44 weeks the mean body weights of wild-type and TRPV1-null mice were approximately 51 and 34g, respectively. Both groups of mice consumed equivalent energy and absorbed similar amounts of lipids. TRPV1-null mice, however, exhibited a significantly greater thermogenic capacity. Interestingly, we found that 3T3-L1 preadipocytes expressed functional calcitonin gene-related peptide receptors. Thus, these data support a potential neurogenic mechanism by which TRPV1-sensitive sensory nerves may regulate energy and fat metabolism.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Georgetown University, 3900 Reservoir Road NW, Washington, DC 20007, USA.
authors.forename: Arianne L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Motter
authors.forename: Gerard P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Ahern
mesh_terms: D041721:3T3-L1 Cells; D017667:Adipocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D050154:Adiposity / Q000235:genetics*; D000818:Animals; D001835:Body Weight / Q000235:genetics*; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide / Q000378:metabolism; D004032:Diet; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000008:administration & dosage; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D009765:Obesity / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D050916:TRPV Cation Channels / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D022722:Thermogenesis / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D004041:Dietary Fats; D050916:TRPV Cation Channels; C493921:TRPV1 protein, mouse; D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide