Leptin-Mediated Sympathoexcitation in Obese Rats: Role for Neuron-Astrocyte Crosstalk in the Arcuate Nucleus.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Accumulated evidence indicates that obesity is associated with enhanced sympathetic activation. Hypothalamic leptin-mediated signaling may contribute to the exaggerated sympathoexcitation of obesity. The goal of this study was to investigate the "neuron-astrocyte" interaction affecting leptin-mediated sympathoexcitation within the arcuate nucleus (ARCN) of the hypothalamus in obese rats.

Methods and results

Obesity was induced by high-fat diet (HFD, 42% of calories from fat) in Sprague Dawley rats. Twelve weeks of HFD produced hyperleptinemia, hyperlipidemia, and insulin resistance. In anesthetized rats, microinjections of leptin into the ARCN induced increases in heart rate (HR), renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA), and mean arterial pressure (MAP) in both

SUBMITTER: Liu X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6877670 | biostudies-literature | 2019

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature