Endotoxin and cytokines induce expression of leptin, the ob gene product, in hamsters.

TLDR

Leptin expression rises with feeding and suppresses appetite, while endotoxin (LPS) induces profound anorexia and weight loss in hamsters. The study tested whether infection‑induced cytokines could upregulate leptin during the host response to infection. Leptin mRNA and protein were quantified in adipose tissue and plasma following LPS, TNF, and IL‑1 treatment, showing cytokine‑mediated increases. Leptin mRNA inversely correlated with food intake, and LPS‑induced cytokines raised both adipose and circulating leptin, suggesting leptin contributes to infection‑associated anorexia.

Abstract

The expression of leptin, the ob gene product, is increased in adipose tissue in response to feeding and energy repletion, while leptin decreases food intake. Because adipose tissue gene expression is regulated by cytokines induced during infection and because infection is associated with anorexia, we tested whether induction of leptin might occur during the host response to infection. Administration of endotoxin (LPS), a model for gram negative infections, induces profound anorexia and weight loss in hamsters. In fasted adipose tissue to levels similar to fed control animals. There is a strong inverse correlation between mRNA levels of leptin and subsequent food intake. TNF and IL-1, mediators of the host response to LPS, also induced anorexia and increased levels of leptin in mRNA in adipose tissue. As assessed by immuknoprecipitation and Western blotting, circulating leptin protein is regulated by LPS and cytokines in parallel to regulation of adipose tissue leptin mRNA. Induction of leptin during the host response to infection may contribute to the anorexia of infection.