Analysis of function of GABAB systems in the arcuate nucleus in energy balance

2010 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20591093
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Endocrinology
• Research Institution: Nagoya University
• Principal Investigator: ARIMA Hiroshi Nagoya University, 医学部附属病院, 講師 (50422770)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): OOISO Yutaka 名古屋大学, 大学院・医学系研究科, 教授 (40203707)
• Project Period (FY): 2008 – 2010
• Keywords: 肥満、視床下部 / GABABレセプター

Research Abstract

We have made mice in which GABA_B receptor gene is knocked out exclusively in the POMC neurons using Cre-loxP system. The weight of epididymal white adipose tissues as well as body weight was increased in the knock-out mice compared to wild-type mice when they were fed a high-fat diet for 12 weeks from the age of 4 weeks. In addition, the levels of blood insulin and leptin were increased in the knockout mice compared to wild-type mice. Thus, our data suggest that GABA_B receptors in the POMC neurons play an important role in preventing the onset and progress of obesity.