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The enzyme phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-kinase) exerts an important role in the transduction of the anorexigenic and thermogenic signals delivered by insulin and leptin to first-order neurons of the arcuate nucleus in the hypothalamus. The termination of the intracellular signals generated by the activation of PI3-kinase depends on the coordinated activity of specific inositol phosphatases. Here we show that phosphoinositide-specific inositol polyphosphate 5-phosphatase IV (5ptase IV) is highly expressed in neurons of the arcuate and lateral nuclei of the hypothalamus. Upon intracerebroventricular (ICV) treatment with insulin, 5ptase IV undergoes a time-dependent tyrosine phosphorylation, which follows the same patterns of canonical insulin signaling through the insulin receptor, insulin receptor substrate-2, and PI3-kinase. To evaluate the participation of 5ptase IV in insulin action in hypothalamus, we used a phosphorthioate-modified antisense oligonucleotide specific for this enzyme. The treatment of rats with this oligonucleotide for 4 d reduced the hypothalamic expression of 5ptase IV by approximately 80%. This was accompanied by an approximately 70% reduction of insulin-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of 5ptase IV and an increase in basal accumulation of phosphorylated inositols in the hypothalamus. Finally, inhibition of hypothalamic 5ptase IV expression by the antisense approach resulted in reduced daily food intake and body weight loss. Thus, 5ptase IV is a powerful regulator of signaling through PI3-kinase in hypothalamus and may become an interesting target for therapeutics of obesity and related disorders.

We hypothesized that citrate might modulate the AMP-activated protein kinase/acetyl-CoA carboxylase (AMPK)/(ACC) pathway and participate in neuronal feeding control and glucose homeostasis. To address this issue, we injected citrate into the lateral ventricle of rats. Intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection of citrate diminished the phosphorylation of hypothalamic AMPK/ACC, increased the expression of anorexigenic neuropeptide (pro-opiomelanocortin and corticotropinreleasing hormone), elevated the level of malonyl-CoA in the hypothalamus, and reduced food intake. No change was observed in the concentration of blood insulin after the injection of citrate. With a euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp, the glucose infusion rate was higher in the citrate group than in the control group (28 . 6G0 . 8 vs 19 . 3G0 . 2 mU/kg body weight/min respectively), and so was glucose uptake in skeletal muscle and the epididymal fat pad. Concordantly, insulin receptor (IR), IR substrate type 1 (IRS1), IRS2, and protein kinase B (AKT) phosphorylation in adipose tissue and skeletal muscle was improved by citrate ICV treatment. Moreover, the treatment with citrate for 7 days promoted body weight loss and decreased the adipose tissue. Our results suggest that citrate and glucose may serve as signals of energy and nutrient availability to hypothalamic cells.

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The exposure of homeothermic animals to a cold environment leads to a powerful activation of orexigenic signalling which is accompanied by molecular and functional resistance to insulin-induced inhibition of feeding. Recent evidence suggests that AMPK participates in nutrient-dependent control of satiety and adiposity. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effect of cold exposure upon the molecular activation of AMPK signalling in the hypothalamus of rats. Immunoblotting demonstrated that cold exposure per se is sufficient for inducing, on a time-dependent basis, the molecular activation of the serine/threonine kinase AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and inactivation of the acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC). These molecular phenomena were accompanied by resistance to nutrient-induced inactivation of AMPK and activation of ACC. Moreover, cold-exposure led to a partial inhibition of a feeding-induced anorexigenic response, which was paralleled by resistance to insulin-induced suppression of feeding. Finally, cold exposure significantly impaired insulin-induced inhibition of AMPK through a mechanism dependent on the molecular cross-talk between phosphatidylinositol-3(PI 3 )-kinase/Akt and AMPK. In conclusion, increased feeding during cold exposure results, at least in part, from resistance to insulin-and nutrient-dependent anorexigenic signalling in the hypothalamus.

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