LEPTIN AND CORTICOSTERONE HAVE OPPOSITE EFFECTS ON FOOD-INTAKE AND THE EXPRESSION OF UCP1 MESSENGER-RNA IN BROWN ADIPOSE-TISSUE OF LEP(OB) LEP(OB) MICE/

The present study was conducted to assess the interaction effect of le ptin and corticosterone on food intake and the expression of uncouplin g protein 1 (UCP1) mRNA in interscapular brown adipose tissue (IBAT). To this end, a 3 x 3 factorial experiment was designed in which adrena lectomized (ADX) lep(ob)/lep(ob) mice were subjected to three doses of corticosterone and three doses of leptin. The results confirm the ano rectic and orexigenic effects of leptin and corticosterone, respective ly. The results also emphasize the abilities of leptin and corticoster one to respectively increase and reduce the expression of UCP1 mRNA in IBAT. The effects of leptin and corticosterone on food intake and the expression of UCP1 mRNA translated into effects on body weight and bo dy composition; leptin reduced body weight and corticosterone increase d the weight of IBAT. The present results do not provide evidence for leptin-corticosterone interactions in the control of food intake and t hermogenesis. Corticosterone increased food intake and reduced the exp ression of IBAT UCP1 regardless of the leptin status, and leptin reduc ed food intake and induced the expression of IBAT UCP1 independently o f the corticosterone levels.