title: Short photoperiods alter cannabinoid receptor expression in hypothalamic nuclei related to energy balance.
abstract: This study examined the photoperiodic regulation of energy balance and cannabinoid receptor expression in the Siberian hamster (Phodopus sungorus) hypothalamus. Short day lengths, beginning at weaning, reduced food intake, body mass and fat pad masses and also decreased cannabinoid receptor immunostaining in the anterior and lateral hypothalamic nuclei of male hamsters. These data suggest a potential role for reduced cannabinoid drive in mediating short day-induced alterations in energy balance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA. zachary.weil@osumc.edu
authors.forename: Zachary M
authors.initials: ZM
authors.lastname: Weil
authors.forename: Joanna L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Workman
authors.forename: Kate
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Karelina
authors.forename: Randy J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Nelson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006224:Cricetinae; D004734:Energy Metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D017111:Phodopus; D017440:Photoperiod; D043884:Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D043884:Receptor, Cannabinoid, CB1