Activation of hypothalamic NPY, AgRP, MC4R, AND IL-6 mRNA levels in young Lewis rats with early-life diet-induced obesity.

Abstract

Overexpression of orexigenic NPY and AgRP in the ARC indicates leptin resistance in SHF rats. The increased expression of MC4R in PVN points to the activation of melanocortin anorexigenic system which, along with increased hypothalamic IL-6, might prevent the animals from overfeeding. Higher adiposity in these rats results from the high fat-diet composition and not from increased caloric intake. Furthermore, enhanced leptin production appears the main factor indicating the predisposition to autoimmunity in these overfed rats.