Up-regulation of neuropeptide Y Y4 receptor mRNA expression in the brainstem of refed rats following 48 h of food deprivation: effect of leptin.

Neuropeptide Y (NPY) Y4 receptor (Y4R) in rat brainstem has been implicated in the signaling of satiety. In this study, we investigated the effects of leptin, and refeeding-induced satiety on Y4R mRNA expression in rat brainstem. Y4R receptor-specific primers were used to amplify the mRNA obtained from hypothalamus and brainstem utilizing conventional RT-PCR and quantitative real-time RT-PCR. No PCR product for Y4R was obtained from entire hypothalamic mRNA. Real-time RT-PCR showed a significant two-fold increase in the relative quantity of Y4R mRNA in brainstem of refed rats in comparison to food deprived or ad lib fed rats. Consistently, plasma leptin level was elevated in refed rats in comparison to food deprived rats. Similarly, leptin-treated rats exhibited a significant increase in Y4R mRNA in brainstem as compared to saline-injected rats. Plasma leptin was significantly elevated in leptin-treated rats. These results suggest that refeeding stimulates the expression of Y4R gene in the brainstem and that leptin may be one of the peripheral factors involved in this anorectic signaling mechanism.