Leptin, a hormone secreted by adipose tissue in proportion to body adiposity, is proposed to be involved in the central nervous regulation of food intake and body weight. In addition, evidence is emerging that leptin regulates neuroendocrine and metabolic functions as well, presumably via its action in the central nervous system (CNS). To investigate this regulatory effect of leptin, we infused 3.5 μg of human leptin directly into the third cerebral ventricle (i3vt) of lean male Long-Evans rats, 90 min before the onset of their dark phase. Before and after infusion, blood samples were withdrawn through indwelling catheters for assessment of hormonal (plasma corticosterone, insulin, leptin), autonomic (plasma norepinephrine, epinephrine), and metabolic (plasma glucose) parameters. 13vt leptin caused an increase in plasma corticosterone and plasma leptin levels relative to the control condition. The effects of i3vt leptin on corticosterone secretion became particularly apparent after the onset of the dark phase. The results of the present study indicate that i3vt leptin stimulates the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, particularly when rats normally encounter their largest meals. These results are consistent with the possibility that high circulating leptin levels may underlie the increased activity of the HPA axis that is generally characteristic of human obesity and most animal models of obesity.
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November 01 1997
Central Leptin Stimulates Corticosterone Secretion at the Onset of the Dark Phase
Gertjan van Dijk;
Gertjan van Dijk
Department of Animal Physiology, University of Groningen
Haren, The Netherlands
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Jamie C K Donahey;
Jamie C K Donahey
Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Washington and VA Puget Sound Health Care System
Seattle, Washington
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Todd E Thiele;
Todd E Thiele
Departments of Psychology, University of Washington and VA Puget Sound Health Care System
Seattle, Washington
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Anton J W Scheurink;
Anton J W Scheurink
Department of Animal Physiology, University of Groningen
Haren, The Netherlands
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Anton B Steffens;
Anton B Steffens
Department of Animal Physiology, University of Groningen
Haren, The Netherlands
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Charles W Wilkinson;
Charles W Wilkinson
Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington and VA Puget Sound Health Care System
Seattle, Washington
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Renata Tenenbaum;
Renata Tenenbaum
Department of Metabolic Diseases, Hoffmann-La Roche
Nutley, New Jersey
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L Arthur Campfield;
L Arthur Campfield
Department of Metabolic Diseases, Hoffmann-La Roche
Nutley, New Jersey
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Paul Burn;
Paul Burn
Department of Metabolic Diseases, Hoffmann-La Roche
Nutley, New Jersey
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Randy J Seeley;
Randy J Seeley
Departments of Psychology, University of Washington and VA Puget Sound Health Care System
Seattle, Washington
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Stephen C Woods
Stephen C Woods
Departments of Psychology, University of Washington and VA Puget Sound Health Care System
Seattle, Washington
Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Washington and VA Puget Sound Health Care System
Seattle, Washington
Medicine, University of Washington and VA Puget Sound Health Care System
Seattle, Washington
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Address correspondence and reprint requests to G. van Dijk, Department of Animal Physiology, Biological Center, P.O. Box 14, 9750 AA Haren, Netherlands.
Diabetes 1997;46(11):1911–1914
Article history
Received:
July 18 1997
Revision Received:
August 18 1997
Accepted:
August 18 1997
Citation
Gertjan van Dijk, Jamie C K Donahey, Todd E Thiele, Anton J W Scheurink, Anton B Steffens, Charles W Wilkinson, Renata Tenenbaum, L Arthur Campfield, Paul Burn, Randy J Seeley, Stephen C Woods; Central Leptin Stimulates Corticosterone Secretion at the Onset of the Dark Phase. Diabetes 1 November 1997; 46 (11): 1911–1914. https://doi.org/10.2337/diab.46.11.1911
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