Leptin-dependent control of glucose balance and locomotor activity by POMC neurons.

ABSTRACT: Leptin plays a pivotal role in regulation of energy balance. Via unknown central pathways, leptin also affects peripheral glucose homeostasis and locomotor activity. We hypothesized that, specifically, pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) neurons mediate those actions. To examine this possibility, we applied Cre-Lox technology to express leptin receptors (ObRb) exclusively in POMC neurons of the morbidly obese, profoundly diabetic, and severely hypoactive leptin receptor-deficient Lepr(db/db) mice. Here, we show that expression of ObRb only in POMC neurons leads to a marked decrease in energy intake and a modest reduction in body weight in Lepr(db/db) mice. Remarkably, blood glucose levels are entirely normalized. This normalization occurs independently of changes in food intake and body weight. In

SUBMITTER: Huo L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2730605 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature