Abstract
Background: Hypothalamic obesity caused by damage of medial hypothalamic nuclei presents a therapeutic challenge. Glucagon-like peptide-1 agonist exenatide (synthetic version of exendin-4 (Ex4)), used for treatment of diabetes, causes weight loss via hindbrain signaling. Methods: We tested Ex4 in an established rat model of medial hypothalamic lesions. Lesion and control animals were administered either daily intraperitoneal injections of 1 µg·kg<sup>–1</sup> Ex4 or saline for 9 days. Results: In our rat model, a significant difference in percent baseline food intake (lesion –20.8%, control –13.6%; p < 0.001) and percent change in body weight (lesion –4.9%/9 days, control –3.2%/9 days; p < 0.05) was observed during Ex4 treatment compared with saline. Conclusion: Ex4 resulted in reduction of food intake and body weight. Follow-up studies are required to further elucidate its effects on energy homeostasis and to establish Ex4 as a potential drug for treatment of hypothalamic obesity.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
