Central infusion of histamine reduces fat accumulation and upregulates UCP family in leptin-resistant obese mice.

Leptin resistance has recently been confirmed not only in animal obese models but in human obesity. Evidence is rapidly emerging that suggests that activation of histamine signaling in the hypothalamus may have substantial anti-obesity and antidiabetic actions, particularly in leptin-resistant states. To address this issue, effects of central, chronic treatment with histamine on food intake, adiposity, and energy expenditure were examined using leptin-resistant obese and diabetic mice. Infusion of histamine (0.05 pmol x g body wt(-1) x day(-1)) into the lateral cerebroventricle (i.c.v.) for 7 successive days reduced food intake and body weight significantly in both diet-induced obesity (DIO) and db/db mice. Histamine treatment reduced body fat weight, ob gene expression, and serum leptin concentration more in the model mice than in pair-fed controls. The suppressive effect on fat deposition was significant in visceral fat but not in subcutaneous fat. Serum concentrations of glucose and/or insulin were reduced, and tests for glucose and insulin tolerance showed improvement of insulin sensitivity in those mice treated with histamine compared with pair-fed controls. On the other hand, gene expression of uncoupling protein (UCP)-1 in brown adipose tissue and UCP-3 expression in white adipose tissue were upregulated more in mice with i.c.v. histamine infusion than in the pair-fed controls. These upregulating effects of histamine were attenuated by targeted disruption of the H1-receptor in DIO and db/db mice. Sustained i.c.v. treatment with histamine thus makes it possible to partially restore the distorted energy intake and expenditure in leptin-resistant mice. Together, i.c.v. treatment with histamine contributes to improvement of energy balance even in leptin-resistant DIO and db/db mice.