Centrally administered urocortin 3 inhibits food intake and gastric emptying in mice.
Urocortin 3 (Ucn3) is recognized as a member of the corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) family, which plays an important role in regulating food intake. We investigated the effects of centrally administered Ucn3 on food intake and gastric emptying in mice. Intracerebroventricular (ICV)administration of Ucn3 (0.1–1 nmol per mouse) decreased food intake in a dose-dependent manner. The inhibitory effect of Ucn3 on food intake was less potent than that of centrally administered CRF and Urocortin 1. ICV administration of Ucn3 (0.1–1 nmol per mouse) decreased the gastric emptying rate in a dose-dependent manner. Ucn3 decreased food intake in high-fat diet-fed obese mice as well as in lean mice. These results indicated that Ucn3 influences feeding behavior and gut motility, and may be a promising therapeutic target in the treatment of eating and functional gastrointestinal disorders.
Department of Psychosomatic Internal Medicine, Kagoshima University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences,8-35-1 Sakuragaoka, Kagoshima 890-8520, Japan.
Miharu
M
Ushikai
Akihiro
A
Asakawa
Takeo
T
Sakoguchi
Chie
C
Tanaka
Akio
A
Inui
D000818:Animals; D001069:Appetite Regulation; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone / Q000378:metabolism; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000378:metabolism; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005215:Fasting; D057967:Infusions, Intraventricular; D051379:Mice; D054832:Urocortins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism*
D004041:Dietary Fats; D054832:Urocortins; C549823:urocortin 3 protein, mouse; D003346:Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone