Cited by 209Regulation of Appetite and ObesityGut microbiota and healthAdipokines, Inflammation, and Metabolic Diseases

The Gut Microbiota Reduces Leptin Sensitivity and the Expression of the Obesity-Suppressing Neuropeptides Proglucagon (Gcg) and Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (Bdnf) in the Central Nervous System

Schéle, Erik, Grahnemo, Louise, Anesten, Fredrik, Hallén, Anna, Bäckhed, Fredrik, Jansson, John-Olov·2013·Endocrinology

Abstract

The gut microbiota contributes to fat mass and the susceptibility to obesity. However, the underlying mechanisms are not completely understood. To investigate whether the gut microbiota affects hypothalamic and brainstem body fat-regulating circuits, we compared gene expression of food intake-regulating neuropeptides between germ-free and conventionally raised (CONV-R) mice. We found that CONV-R mice had decreased expression of the antiobesity neuropeptide glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) precursor proglucagon (Gcg) in the brainstem. Moreover, in both the hypothalamus and the brainstem, CONV-R mice had decreased expression of the antiobesity neuropeptide brain-derived neurotrophic factor (Bdnf). CONV-R mice had reduced expression of the pro-obesity peptides neuropeptide-Y (Npy) and agouti-related protein (Agrp), and increased expression of the antiobesity peptides proopiomelanocortin (Pomc) and cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript (Cart) in the hypothalamus. The latter changes in neuropeptide expression could be secondary to elevated fat mass in CONV-R mice. Leptin treatment caused less weight reduction and less suppression of orexigenic Npy and Agrp expression in CONV-R mice compared with germ-free mice. The hypothalamic expression of leptin resistance-associated suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (Socs-3) was increased in CONV-R mice. In conclusion, the gut microbiota reduces the expression of 2 genes coding for body fat-suppressing neuropeptides, Gcg and Bdnf, an alteration that may contribute to fat mass induction by the gut microbiota. Moreover, the presence of body fat-inducing gut microbiota is associated with hypothalamic signs of Socs-3-mediated leptin resistance, which may be linked to failed compensatory body fat reduction.

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Crossref · 10.1210/en.2012-2151

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  • The gut microbiota directly moderate brainstem and hypothalamic expression of BDNF, with conventionally raised mice differing significantly from germ-free mice.

    “The gut microbiota have been shown to directly moderate brainstem and hypothalamic expression of BDNF, where conventionally raised mice differed significantly from GF mice (Schele et al., 2013).”

    From The Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis (2019) · cites this paper as Schele et al., 2013

  • The gut microbiome modulates leptin signaling and adiposity.

    “several studies have demonstrated the significant role of gut microbiome in modulating leptin signaling and adiposity.”
  • Schéle et al. found that administration of leptin reduced NPY expression in germ-free mice but not in conventionally raised mice, suggesting that the gut microbiota may decrease leptin sensitivity, effects that are dependent on vagal signaling.

    “In addition, Schéle et al. [116] found that administration of leptin reduced NPY expression in germ-free mice but not in conventionally raised mice, suggesting that the gut microbiota may decrease leptin sensitivity, effects that are dependent on vagal signaling [192].”
  • The expression of NPY in the hypothalamus is increased in adult, healthy, germ-free mice when compared with conventionally raised mice.

    “The expression of NPY in the hypothalamus (where NPY plays a major role in feeding behavior and stress response) is increased in adult, healthy, germ-free mice when compared with conventionally raised mice [116].”
  • Schéle et al. demonstrated the role of NPY in counteracting the increased plasma levels of corticosterone in germ-free rodents.

    “Moreover, Schéle et al. [116] demonstrated the role of NPY in counteracting the increased plasma levels of corticosterone in germ-free rodents.”

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Authors
Schéle, E., Grahnemo, L., Anesten, F., Hallén, A., Bäckhed, F., & Jansson, J.-O.
Affiliations
  • University of Gothenburg (SE)
  • University of Copenhagen (DK)
Corresponding author
Jansson, John-Olov
Venue
Endocrinology
Published
2013-10-01
Volume
154
Issue
10
Pages
3643-3651
ISSN
  • 0013-7227 (ISSN-L)
  • 1945-7170
OpenAlex
W2013890677
Cited by
209
References
60
Citations by year
2026: 7 · 2025: 15 · 2024: 19 · 2023: 19 · 2022: 18 · 2021: 24 · 2020: 11 · 2019: 19 · 2018: 15 · 2017: 13 · 2016: 20 · 2015: 16 · 2014: 12 · 2013: 1
FWCI
8.80
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Endocrinology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
Vetenskapsrådet
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Endocrine and Autonomic Systems › Regulation of Appetite and Obesity
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Gut microbiota and health
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Adipokines, Inflammation, and Metabolic Diseases
Keywords
gut microbiota, leptin resistance, proglucagon, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, obesity, hypothalamus, brainstem, neuropeptides, germ-free mice, SOCS3, neuropeptide Y, agouti-related protein, proopiomelanocortin, cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript, food intake regulation, fat mass
MeSH terms
Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling 3 Protein, Cocaine- and Amphetamine-Regulated Transcript Protein, Animals, Brain Stem, Central Nervous System, Germ-Free Life, Hypothalamus, Injections, Intraperitoneal, Intestines, Male, Mice, Inbred C57BL, Nerve Tissue Proteins, Neurons, Neuropeptide Y, Pro-Opiomelanocortin, Recombinant Proteins, Down-Regulation, Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor, Leptin, Adiposity, Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling Proteins, Mice, Proglucagon, Agouti-Related Protein

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