Horm Metab Res 2007; 39(7): 489-494
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-981680
Original Basic

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Obesity Reduced the Gene Expressions of Leptin Receptors in Hypothalamus and Liver

Z.-J. Liu 1 , J. Bian 1 , J. Liu 1 , A. Endoh 2
  • 1Department of Pediatrics, the Second Affiliated Hospital Dalian Medical University, Dalian, P. R. China
  • 2Department of Pediatrics, Hamamatsu Medical Center, 328 Tomituka-cho, Hamamatsu, Japan
Further Information

Publication History

received 14.8.2006

accepted after second revision 18.1.2007

Publication Date:
05 July 2007 (online)

Abstract

The expression of leptin receptor (OB-R) is downregulated by leptin in some cell lines. This study investigated the expressions of leptin receptors at central nerve system and peripheral site in a dietary model of obesity. Rats in the 8 week high-diet and control group were classified based on body weight gain into obese and control groups. Serum leptin and insulin concentrations were measured and gene expressions of short form of leptin receptor (OB-Ra) and long form (OB-Rb) in hypothalamus and liver were detected by RT-PCR. The levels of serum leptin in obese rats were increased compared with control rats (p<0.05). The levels of OB-Ra and OB-Rb gene expressions in both hypothalamus and liver in obese rats were reduced significantly (p<0.01). Serum leptin concentrations of obese rats had a significant negative relationship with both of OB-Ra or OB-Rb gene expression levels in hypothalamus and liver (p<0.01). On the other hand, serum insulin levels had no relationship with OB-Ra or OB-Rb gene expression levels in neither liver nor hypothalamus. Rats with diet-induced obesity have hyperleptinemia and reduced expressions of leptin receptors in hypothalamus and liver. The results suggest that a leptin downregulated OB-R expression is one of leptin resistant mechanisms for maintaining obesity.

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Correspondence

Dr. A. Endoh

Department of Pediatrics

Hamamatsu Medical Center

328 Tomituka-cho

432-8580 Hamamatsu

Japan

Phone: +81/53/453 71 11

Fax: +81/53/452 92 17

Email: aendoh@hmedc.or.jp

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