Role of dorsomedial hypothalamic neuropeptide Y in modulating food intake and energy balance.

ABSTRACT: Previous studies have suggested that neuropeptide Y (NPY) in the dorsomedial hypothalamus (DMH) serves as an important signaling peptide in the regulation of energy balance. To elucidate such actions, we used the adenoassociated virus (AAV) system to alter Npy gene expression in the DMH and examined the effects of these alterations on food intake and energy balance as well as explored its downstream signaling pathway. We found that AAV-mediated overexpression of NPY in the DMH of lean rats increased food intake and body weight, and exacerbated high-fat diet-induced obesity. Knockdown of NPY expression in the DMH via AAV-mediated RNA interference ameliorated the hyperphagia, obesity, and diabetes of Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rats. NPY knockdown in the DMH produced a nocturna

SUBMITTER: Yang L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2742174 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature