Yohimbine improves lipid and carbohydrate profiles without reduction in body weight in obese leptin-deficient ob/ob mice

Abstract

Introduction. Obesity, hyperglycaemia, hyperlipidemia and hypertension are the hallmarks of metabolic syndrome. The epidemic of obesity has been accompanied by an analogous rise in the number of patients with metabolic syndrome. Thus, obesity and related metabolic disturbances are the main objective of public health throughout the world. Previously, we have shown that yohimbine, a non-selective α2-adrenergic receptor antagonist, reduces body weight and improves disrupted lipid and carbohydrates profiles in rats with diet-induced obesity. Material and method. In the presented study we have determined the effect of yohimbine on the body weight and carbohydrate and lipids levels in genetically obese leptin-deficient ob/ob mice and in lean C57BL6 mice. Results. Yohimbine had a favourable effect on elevated levels of triglycerides, cholesterol and glucose. However, it did not have any influence on body weight. Conclusions. The obtained data show that the weight reducing activity of yohimbine is primarily mediated via the interaction with α2-adrenergic receptor, and the subsequent enhanced release of noradrenaline which stimulates the β3-adrenergic receptor presented on adipocytes. The favourable influence of yohimbie on impaired lipid-carbohydrate homeostasis is achieved via the blockade of α1-adrenergic receptor. We believe that non-selective α-adrenoceptor antagonists might offer therapeutic benefits in the treatment of obesity and metabolic disturbances.

A literature perspective on the pharmacological applications of yohimbine

“…Kotańska et al. [ 111 ] reported the favourable influence of yohimbine on the imbalanced lipid carbohydrate homeostasis in leptin deficiency and impairment of the α2- and β3-adrenoceptor function. The overall therapeutic potential of yohimbine and its possible mechanism of action are summarized in Table 2 .…”