1. GLP-1 Increases Circulating Leptin Levels in Truncal Vagotomized Rats.
- Author
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Morais, Tiago, Pereira, Sofia S., Andrade, Sara, Neves, Diogo, Guimarães, Marta, Nora, Mário, Carreira, Marcos C., Casanueva, Felipe F., and Monteiro, Mariana P.
- Subjects
LEPTIN ,BROWN adipose tissue ,WEIGHT gain ,BODY composition ,VAGUS nerve - Abstract
GLP-1 is a gastro-intestinal hormone acting within the gut/brain axis for energy balance regulation. We aimed to evaluate the role of the vagus nerve in whole-body energy homeostasis and in mediating GLP-1 effects. For this, rats submitted to truncal vagotomy and sham-operated controls underwent a comprehensive evaluation, including eating behavior, body weight, percentage of white (WAT) and brown adipose tissue (BAT), resting energy expenditure (REE) and acute response to GLP-1. Truncal vagotomized rats had significantly lower food intake, body weight, body weight gain, WAT and BAT, with a higher BAT/WAT ratio, but no significant difference in REE when compared to controls. Vagotomized rats also had significantly higher fasting ghrelin and lower glucose and insulin levels. After GLP-1 administration, vagotomized rats depicted a blunted anorexigenic response and higher plasma leptin levels, as compared to controls. However, in vitro stimulation of VAT explants with GLP-1 resulted in no significant changes in leptin secretion. In conclusion, the vagus nerve influences whole-body energy homeostasis by modifying food intake, body weight and body composition and by mediating the GLP-1 anorectic response. The higher leptin levels in response to acute GLP-1 administration observed after truncal vagotomy suggest the existence of a putative GLP-1-leptin axis that relies on the integrity of gut–brain vagal pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2023
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