Intracerebroventricular (ICV) injections of nesfatin‐1 induces c‐fos expression in the rat forebrain.

Abstract

The forebrain contains neuronal circuits of critical importance in the regulation of food intake. Nesfatin has been identified as a satiety peptide within central neurons. ICV injection of nesfatin‐1 decreases food intake in a dose‐dependent manner and result in a decrease in body weight. However, the central pathways activated by nesfatin‐1 are not known. In this study, the distribution of neurons expressing fos‐like immunoreactivity following ICV infusions of nesfatin‐1 (5 pmol/µl; 2 µl followed by two 1 µl injections every 30 min) was identified in the rat forebrain. Fos labeled neurons were found within the hypothalamus: paraventricular, supraoptic, arcuate, lateral, dorsomedial and posterior nuclei. In addition, the organum vasculosum of the lamina terminalis, median preoptic nucleus and subfornical organ expressed fos labeling. Finally, fos labeling was observed within the midline thalamic nuclei, lateral septum, islands of Calleja, medial preoptic nucleus and medial and central nuclei of amygdala. These data suggest that nesfatin‐1 exerts its anorexigenic effects through the activation of forebrain structures previously implicated in the regulation of food intake and energy expenditure.Supported by Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario.