AJP - Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology, Vol 266, Issue 5 1623-R1629, Copyright © 1994 by American Physiological Society
Relative contribution of type I and II corticosterone receptors in VMH lesion-induced obesity and hyperinsulinemia
T. L. Thomas, L. D. Devenport and R. D. Stith
Department of Psychology, University of Oklahoma, Norman 73019.
Ventromedial hypothalamic (VMH) lesion-induced obesity is accompanied by
hyperinsulinemia and hyperphagia, which are dependent upon corticosterone
(Cort) for their expression. Whether Cort exerts these actions through its
stimulation of type I or II Cort receptor populations is unknown.
Therefore, food intake and weight gain were measured in obese
adrenalectomized VMH-lesioned rats given continuous infusion of various
doses of either a type I-receptor agonist (aldosterone), a type II-receptor
agonist (RU-28362), or several combination doses. Similarly, the receptor
population responsible for lesion-induced hyperinsulinemia was identified.
Type II receptor stimulation restored the hyperphagia, weight gain, and
hyperinsulinemia of adrenalectomized VMH-lesioned animals, while type I
receptor stimulation blocked their weight loss.
