GABAergic function in the lateral hypothalamus regulates feeding behavior: Possible mediation via orexin.

Abstract

AimThe lateral hypothalamus (LH) is known as the hunger center, but the mechanisms through which the LH regulates food intake are unclear. Since GABA neurons are reported to project to the LH, the present study investigated the role of GABAergic function in the LH in the regulation of feeding behavior.MethodsGABA levels in the LH were measured by in vivo microdialysis. Food intake after drug injection into the LH was measured every 1 hour for 4 hours. The mRNA levels were measured using RT‐PCR.ResultsFood intake significantly increased GABA levels in the LH, suggesting that food intake stimulates GABAergic function in the LH. Injection of the GABAA receptor agonist muscimol into the LH significantly inhibited food intake, whereas injection of the GABAA receptor antagonist bicuculline into the LH did not significantly affect food intake. The inhibitory effect of muscimol injected into the LH was blocked by co‐administration of bicuculline. These results indicate that the stimulation of GABAA receptors in the LH inhibits food intake. We next examined whether the stimulation of GABAA receptors affects hypothalamic neuropeptides that are known to regulate feeding behavior. The injection of muscimol significantly decreased preproorexin mRNA in the hypothalamus.ConclusionThese results indicate that food intake activates GABAergic function in the LH, which terminates feeding behavior by stimulating GABAA receptors. Moreover, it is suggested that the stimulation of GABAA receptors in the LH reduces food intake through inhibition of orexin neurons.