Metabolic parameters and functional state of hypothalamic signaling systems in AY/a mice with genetic predisposition to obesity and the effect of metformin.

The metabolic parameters and functional state of hypothalamic systems in mice with the Yellow mutation in the Agouti locus and with obesity of the melanocortin type and the effect of metformin (MF) treatment (9 days, 200 mg/kg/day) were studied. The MF treatment led to decreased body weight and to normalization of glucose tolerance in mice. In the hypothalamus, MF restored the decreased activity of Akt kinase, the main component of leptin pathway, and normalized the increased expression of subtype 1B serotonin receptor. The obtained data suggest the efficiency of MF to treat obesity of the melanocortin type.