The role of hypothalamic Agouti-related protein in Cushing syndrome

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15K19533
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Endocrinology
• Research Institution: Kochi University
• Principal Investigator: Nakayama Shuichi 高知大学, 教育研究部医療学系臨床医学部門, 助教 (20457394)
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: AgRP / クッシング症候群

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The purpose of this research are as follows: (1) to clarify the role of hypothalamic Agouti-related protein (AgRP) on obesity in Cushing syndrome, and (2) to elucidate unknown mechanisms of hypothalamic AgRP.
We examined the effect of continuous glucocorticoid administration on AgRP deficient mice (AgRP-KO), and observed that high degree obesity in AgRP-KO compared with wild-type mice. On the other hand, in Cushing syndrome patients, both cortisol and AgRP were significantly decreased after operation.
These results suggest that circulating AgRP is elevated in Cushing syndrome, but hypothalamic AgRP could not be necessary to develop obesity in Cushing syndrome.

Free Research Field

内分泌学