Effects of leptin on hypothalamic neuronal activity and adipose tissue metabolism in obese mice

LIU Xiao-Xuan; ZHANG Han-Si; HAN Xiao-Jing; SHANG Xiao-Di; KANG Jing; LIN Jun-Tang; YAN Xin; QIAO Liang

doi:10.16098/j.issn.0529-1356.2024.04.011

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Acta Anatomica Sinica ›› 2024, Vol. 55 ›› Issue (4) : 452-459. DOI: 10.16098/j.issn.0529-1356.2024.04.011

Research Articles

Effects of leptin on hypothalamic neuronal activity and adipose tissue metabolism in obese mice

LIU Xiao-xuan^1,2 ZHANG Han-si^1,2 HAN Xiao-jing^1,2 SHANG Xiao-di^1,2 KANG Jing¹ LIN Jun-tang^1,3 YAN Xin^1,2* QIAO Liang^1,2*

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Abstract

Objective To investigate the effects of leptin on hypothalamic neuron activity and lipid metabolism in adipose tissue of obese mice. Methods 10 leptin-deficient obese (ob/ob) mice with homozygous mutation of leptin gene and 10 wild-type（WT）mice born in the same litter were randomly divided into control group and leptin treatment group. The activity of pro-opiomelanocortin(POMC) neurons and tyrosine hydroxylase(TH⁺) neurons, the morphological changes of adipose tissue and the expression of lipid-related genes were analyzed by immunofluorescent staining, HE staining and Real-time PCR. Results Compared with the WT mice, the ob/ob mice showed decreased activity of POMC neurons and TH⁺ neurons and larger cell diameter in adipose tissue and liver tissue. In addition, the expressions of heat-related genes uncoupling protein 1(UCP1), cytochrome c oxidase subunit 8B(Cox8b) and cell death-inducing DNA fragmentation factor, alpha subunit-like effector A(Cidea) in subcutaneous white fat in ob/ob mice decreased significantly, and the expressions of lipid synthesis-related genes sterol regulatory element binding transcription factor 1(Srebp1) and fatty acid synthase(Fas) increased significantly. After treated with leptin, the activities of POMC and TH⁺ neurons were increased, and the cellular diameter and the degree of vacuolar degeneration were reduced in the adipose tissue and liver. Further analyses showed that the expressions of thermogenesis-related genes and lipolysis-related genes were increased, but expressions of lipid synthesis-related genes were reduced in brown adipose tissue. Conclusion Leptin treatment could prevent the increasing of obesity in ob/ob mice, which is associated with increased lipolysis and reduced lipid synthesis through activation of hypothalamic POMC neurons and peripheral adipose tissue sympathetic nervous system

Key words

Obesity / Leptin / Hypothalamus / Adipose tissue / Immunofluorescence / Real-time PCR / Leptin-deficient obese mouse

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LIU Xiao-xuan ZHANG Han-si HAN Xiao-jing SHANG Xiao-di KANG Jing LIN Jun-tang YAN Xin QIAO Liang. Effects of leptin on hypothalamic neuronal activity and adipose tissue metabolism in obese mice[J]. Acta Anatomica Sinica. 2024, 55(4): 452-459 https://doi.org/10.16098/j.issn.0529-1356.2024.04.011

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