REGULATION OF NEURONAL AND ENDOCRINE CIRCUITS OF THE NEUROPEPTIDE Y (NPY) BY LEPTIN TREATMENT

초록

The hypothalamus is known to be a key regulator for food intake and energy balance. Many hypothalamic neuropeptides are, thus, involved in regulation of feeding behavior and energy balance. Among the hypothalamic neuropeptides, neuropeptide Y (NPY) is thought to be the potent endogenous orexigenic molecule. It is reported that leptin can suppress the action of NPY on feeding and NPY may inhibit anorectic effects of leptin. NPY has an alternative source in the pancreatic tissue. Some type of islet endocrine cells produces NPY with implication of its paracrine and endocrine function. However, the function of pancreatic NPY is poorly understood, particularly concerning on its anorexic action. It raised a question whether leptin could suppress pancreatic NPY in regard to hypothalamic NPY for regulation of food intake and energy balance. Therefore, the present studies aimed to investigate the modification of pancreatic NPY in association with its hypothalamic expression in response to leptin administration.