A role for NPY overexpression in the dorsomedial hypothalamus in hyperphagia and obesity of OLETF rats

Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rats lacking CCK-A receptors are hyperphagic, obese, and diabetic. We have previously demonstrated that these rats have a peripheral satiety deficit resulting in increased meal size. To examine the potential role of hypothalamic pathways in the hyperphagia and obesity of OLETF rats, we compared patterns of hypothalamic neuropeptide Y (NPY), proopiomelanocortin (POMC), and leptin receptor mRNA expression in ad libitum-fed Long-Evans Tokushima (LETO) and OLETF rats and food-restricted OLETF rats that were pair-fed to the intake of LETO controls. Pair feeding OLETF rats prevented their increased body weight and elevated levels of plasma insulin and leptin and normalized their elevated POMC and decreased NPY mRNA expression in the arcuate nucleus. In contrast, NPY expression was upregulated in the dorsomedial hypothalamus (DMH) in pair-fed OLETF rats. A similar DMH NPY overexpression was evident in 5-wk-old preobese OLETF rats. These findings suggest a role for DMH NPY upregulation in the etiology of OLETF hyperphagia and obesity.