Lean phenotype and resistance to diet-induced obesity in vitamin D receptor knockout mice correlates with induction of uncoupling protein-1 in white adipose tissue.

ABSTRACT: Increased adiposity is a feature of aging in both mice and humans, but the molecular mechanisms underlying age-related changes in adipose tissue stores remain unclear. In previous studies, we noted that 18-month-old normocalcemic vitamin D receptor (VDR) knockout (VDRKO) mice exhibited atrophy of the mammary adipose compartment relative to wild-type (WT) littermates, suggesting a role for VDR in adiposity. Here we monitored body fat depots, food intake, metabolic factors, and gene expression in WT and VDRKO mice on the C57BL6 and CD1 genetic backgrounds. Regardless of genetic background, both sc and visceral white adipose tissue depots were smaller in VDRKO mice than WT mice. The lean phenotype of VDRKO mice was associated with reduced serum leptin and compensatory increased food intake. S

SUBMITTER: Narvaez CJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2646525 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature