Urocortin 3 transgenic mice exhibit a metabolically favourable phenotype resisting obesity and hyperglycaemia on a high-fat diet.

ABSTRACT:

Aims/hypothesis

Urocortins are the endogenous ligands for the corticotropin-releasing factor receptor type 2 (CRFR2), which is implicated in regulating energy balance and/or glucose metabolism. We determined the effects of chronic CRFR2 activation on metabolism in vivo, by generating and phenotyping transgenic mice overproducing the specific CRFR2 ligand urocortin 3.

Methods

Body composition, glucose metabolism, insulin sensitivity, energy efficiency and expression of key metabolic genes were assessed in adult male urocortin 3 transgenic mice (Ucn3(+)) under control conditions and following an obesogenic high-fat diet (HFD) challenge.

Results

Ucn3(+) mice had increased skeletal muscle mass with myocyte hypertrophy. Accelerated peripheral glucose disposal, increased re

SUBMITTER: Jamieson PM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3149678 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature