RGD Reference Report - Hypothalamic melanocortin system regulates sympathetic nerve activity in brown adipose tissue. - Rat Genome Database

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Hypothalamic melanocortin system regulates sympathetic nerve activity in brown adipose tissue.

Authors: Yasuda, T  Masaki, T  Kakuma, T  Yoshimatsu, H 
Citation: Yasuda T, etal., Exp Biol Med (Maywood). 2004 Mar;229(3):235-9.
RGD ID: 1600780
Pubmed: PMID:14988515   (View Abstract at PubMed)

To clarify the neuronal mechanism of the hypothalamic melanocortin system in regulating energy metabolism, we investigated the effects of centrally administered alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH) and agouti-related protein (AGRP), an agonist and an antagonist for the melanocortin 4 receptor (MC4-R), respectively, on the activity of sympathetic nerves innervating brown adipose tissue (BAT) and on BAT temperature. A bolus infusion of alpha-MSH (1 nmol) into the third cerebral ventricle (i3vt) significantly increased sympathetic nerve activity and elevated BAT temperature (P<0.05). The i3vt infusion of AGRP (1 nmol) gradually suppressed BAT sympathetic nerve activity and was accompanied by a significant reduction in BAT temperature (P<0.05). In conclusion, the hypothalamic melanocortin system may regulate peripheral energy expenditure, as well as thermogenesis, through its influence on BAT sympathetic nerve activity.

Gene Ontology Annotations    Click to see Annotation Detail View

Biological Process
TermQualifierEvidenceWithReferenceNotesSourceOriginal Reference(s)
diet induced thermogenesis  IDA 1600780 RGD 
energy reserve metabolic process  IDA 1600780 RGD 
feeding behavior  IDA 1600780 RGD 

Objects Annotated

Genes (Rattus norvegicus)
Mc4r  (melanocortin 4 receptor)


Additional Information