Activity of body energy regulatory pathways in inflammation-induced anorexia

Terry A. Lennie, Mathew D. Wortman, Randy J. Seeley

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

11 Scopus citations

Abstract

Previous research has shown that reductions in body weight prior to induction of acute inflammation can attenuate inflammation-induced anorexia in male rats. In the current study, potential mechanisms responsible for this observation were examined. Specifically, the effect of a 12% prior reduction in body weight on serum leptin, insulin, and corticosterone; levels of interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the serum, liver, and spleen; neuropeptide Y (NPY) and POMC mRNA levels in the arcuate nucleus (ARC) of the hypothalamus were examined 8 h after induction of acute inflammation. Rats with prior weight reduction had significantly lower serum leptin levels and gene expression of POMC in the ARC than normal-weight rats. In contrast, prior weight reduction altered neither NPY mRNA in the ARC, nor IL-1α, IL-1β, and IL-6 levels in the serum, liver, and spleen. These results suggest that the attenuation of inflammation-induced anorexia by prior weight reduction is not due to altered cytokine activity, but rather to changes in energy regulatory systems that moderate the anorexic actions of IL-1β and IL-6. One potential change may be reduced activity of the CNS melanocortin system induced by decreased circulating leptin.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)517-523
Number of pages7
JournalPhysiology and Behavior
Volume73
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - 2001

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
TAL was supported by a grant from NIH (NR04783). RJS was supported by grants from NIH (DK54080 and DK54890), as well as funds from the Procter & Gamble.

Funding

TAL was supported by a grant from NIH (NR04783). RJS was supported by grants from NIH (DK54080 and DK54890), as well as funds from the Procter & Gamble.

FundersFunder number
National Institutes of Health (NIH)NR04783, DK54890
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney DiseasesR01DK054080
Proctor and Gamble

    Keywords

    • Body weight loss
    • IL-1β
    • IL-6
    • Inflammation-induced anorexia
    • Leptin
    • POMC

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Experimental and Cognitive Psychology
    • Behavioral Neuroscience

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