BRAIN ADMINISTRATION OF OB PROTEIN (LEPTIN) INHIBITS NEUROPEPTIDE-Y-INDUCED FEEDING IN OB OB MICE/

OB protein (or leptin) administration causes a long-lasting reduction in food intake and body weight in obese ob/ob mice. Neuropeptide Y, a stimulator of feeding, has been proposed to be a major mediator of the biological actions of OB protein. To test this hypothesis, the intera ction of brain administration of exogenous OB protein and NPY on the f eeding behavior of ob/ob mice was examined. Human OB protein, in a dos e-dependent manner, partially or completely blocked feeding induced by exogenous NPY. These results demonstrate that OB protein can function ally antagonize and dominate the actions of exogenous NPY on feeding. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.