A beta3-adrenergic-leptin-melanocortin circuit regulates behavioral and metabolic changes induced by chronic stress.
BACKGROUND
Obesity has been associated with an increased risk of developing several psychiatric illnesses, including major depression and posttraumatic stress disorder. Likewise, these stress-related disturbances are associated with a higher rate of obesity; yet, the neurobiological mechanisms linking obesity and stress remain incompletely understood.


METHODS
Following exposure to chronic social defeat stress (CSDS), mice were given free access to either regular chow or a Western-style diet high in triglycerides and cholesterol. Comprehensive metabolic and behavioral testing was then conducted.


RESULTS
Mice subjected to CSDS and then fed a high-fat diet for 30 days display severe behavioral deficits accompanied by redistribution of body fat. Stressed mice have decreased adipose tissue as well as decreased serum leptin levels compared with control mice. Pharmacological inhibition of beta(3)-adrenergic signaling during CSDS normalizes these metabolic abnormalities but worsens behavioral symptoms. Furthermore, mice subjected to CSDS display central leptin resistance including reduced expression of pro-opiomelanocortin in hypothalamus. Administration of a central melanocortin agonist worsens stress-induced behavioral deficits, while mice lacking the melanocortin-4 receptor display attenuated symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
These results indicate that chronic signaling through beta(3)-adrenergic receptors during social stress is an adaptive response that improves behavioral function. However, these responses come at the expense of central leptin resistance and melanocortin signaling alterations that contribute to significant and long-lasting metabolic abnormalities.
Chuang
Jen-Chieh
JC
Department of Internal Medicine (Division of Hypothalamic Research), The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA.
Krishnan
Vaishnav
V
Yu
Hana G
HG
Mason
Brittany
B
Cui
Huxing
H
Cui
Huixing
H
Wilkinson
Matthew B
MB
Zigman
Jeffrey M
JM
Elmquist
Joel K
JK
Nestler
Eric J
EJ
Lutter
Michael
M
D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000378:metabolism; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D001823:Body Composition / Q000502:physiology; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000378:metabolism*; D020738:Leptin / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D053486:Melanocortins / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D009765:Obesity / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism; D044105:Receptor, Melanocortin, Type 4 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D022702:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta-3 / Q000378:metabolism*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012919:Social Behavior; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism*
D020738:Leptin; D053486:Melanocortins; D044105:Receptor, Melanocortin, Type 4; D022702:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta-3