Go to JCI Insight
  • About
  • Editors
  • Consulting Editors
  • For authors
  • Publication ethics
  • Publication alerts by email
  • Advertising
  • Job board
  • Contact
  • Clinical Research and Public Health
  • Current issue
  • Past issues
  • By specialty
    • COVID-19
    • Cardiology
    • Gastroenterology
    • Immunology
    • Metabolism
    • Nephrology
    • Neuroscience
    • Oncology
    • Pulmonology
    • Vascular biology
    • All ...
  • Videos
    • Conversations with Giants in Medicine
    • Video Abstracts
  • Reviews
    • View all reviews ...
    • Complement Biology and Therapeutics (May 2025)
    • Evolving insights into MASLD and MASH pathogenesis and treatment (Apr 2025)
    • Microbiome in Health and Disease (Feb 2025)
    • Substance Use Disorders (Oct 2024)
    • Clonal Hematopoiesis (Oct 2024)
    • Sex Differences in Medicine (Sep 2024)
    • Vascular Malformations (Apr 2024)
    • View all review series ...
  • Viewpoint
  • Collections
    • In-Press Preview
    • Clinical Research and Public Health
    • Research Letters
    • Letters to the Editor
    • Editorials
    • Commentaries
    • Editor's notes
    • Reviews
    • Viewpoints
    • 100th anniversary
    • Top read articles

  • Current issue
  • Past issues
  • Specialties
  • Reviews
  • Review series
  • Conversations with Giants in Medicine
  • Video Abstracts
  • In-Press Preview
  • Clinical Research and Public Health
  • Research Letters
  • Letters to the Editor
  • Editorials
  • Commentaries
  • Editor's notes
  • Reviews
  • Viewpoints
  • 100th anniversary
  • Top read articles
  • About
  • Editors
  • Consulting Editors
  • For authors
  • Publication ethics
  • Publication alerts by email
  • Advertising
  • Job board
  • Contact
Top
  • View PDF
  • Download citation information
  • Send a comment
  • Terms of use
  • Standard abbreviations
  • Need help? Email the journal
  • Top
  • Abstract
  • Introduction
  • Methods
  • Results
  • Discussion
  • Acknowledgments
  • References
  • Version history
  • Article usage
  • Citations to this article

Advertisement

Article Free access | 10.1172/JCI8857

The central melanocortin system affects the hypothalamo-pituitary thyroid axis and may mediate the effect of leptin

M.S. Kim, C.J. Small, S.A Stanley, D.G.A. Morgan, L.J. Seal, W.M. Kong, C.M.B. Edwards, S. Abusnana, D. Sunter, M.A. Ghatei, and S.R. Bloom

Endocrine Unit, Imperial College School of Medicine, Hammersmith Hospital, London W12 0NN, United Kingdom

Address correspondence to: S.R. Bloom, Endocrine Unit, Imperial College School of Medicine, Hammersmith Hospital, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, United Kingdom. Phone: 44-181-383-3242; Fax: 44-181-383-3142; E-mail: s.bloom@ic.ac.uk.

Find articles by Kim, M. in: PubMed | Google Scholar

Endocrine Unit, Imperial College School of Medicine, Hammersmith Hospital, London W12 0NN, United Kingdom

Address correspondence to: S.R. Bloom, Endocrine Unit, Imperial College School of Medicine, Hammersmith Hospital, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, United Kingdom. Phone: 44-181-383-3242; Fax: 44-181-383-3142; E-mail: s.bloom@ic.ac.uk.

Find articles by Small, C. in: PubMed | Google Scholar

Endocrine Unit, Imperial College School of Medicine, Hammersmith Hospital, London W12 0NN, United Kingdom

Address correspondence to: S.R. Bloom, Endocrine Unit, Imperial College School of Medicine, Hammersmith Hospital, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, United Kingdom. Phone: 44-181-383-3242; Fax: 44-181-383-3142; E-mail: s.bloom@ic.ac.uk.

Find articles by Stanley, S. in: PubMed | Google Scholar

Endocrine Unit, Imperial College School of Medicine, Hammersmith Hospital, London W12 0NN, United Kingdom

Address correspondence to: S.R. Bloom, Endocrine Unit, Imperial College School of Medicine, Hammersmith Hospital, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, United Kingdom. Phone: 44-181-383-3242; Fax: 44-181-383-3142; E-mail: s.bloom@ic.ac.uk.

Find articles by Morgan, D. in: PubMed | Google Scholar

Endocrine Unit, Imperial College School of Medicine, Hammersmith Hospital, London W12 0NN, United Kingdom

Address correspondence to: S.R. Bloom, Endocrine Unit, Imperial College School of Medicine, Hammersmith Hospital, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, United Kingdom. Phone: 44-181-383-3242; Fax: 44-181-383-3142; E-mail: s.bloom@ic.ac.uk.

Find articles by Seal, L. in: PubMed | Google Scholar

Endocrine Unit, Imperial College School of Medicine, Hammersmith Hospital, London W12 0NN, United Kingdom

Address correspondence to: S.R. Bloom, Endocrine Unit, Imperial College School of Medicine, Hammersmith Hospital, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, United Kingdom. Phone: 44-181-383-3242; Fax: 44-181-383-3142; E-mail: s.bloom@ic.ac.uk.

Find articles by Kong, W. in: PubMed | Google Scholar

Endocrine Unit, Imperial College School of Medicine, Hammersmith Hospital, London W12 0NN, United Kingdom

Address correspondence to: S.R. Bloom, Endocrine Unit, Imperial College School of Medicine, Hammersmith Hospital, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, United Kingdom. Phone: 44-181-383-3242; Fax: 44-181-383-3142; E-mail: s.bloom@ic.ac.uk.

Find articles by Edwards, C. in: PubMed | Google Scholar

Endocrine Unit, Imperial College School of Medicine, Hammersmith Hospital, London W12 0NN, United Kingdom

Address correspondence to: S.R. Bloom, Endocrine Unit, Imperial College School of Medicine, Hammersmith Hospital, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, United Kingdom. Phone: 44-181-383-3242; Fax: 44-181-383-3142; E-mail: s.bloom@ic.ac.uk.

Find articles by Abusnana, S. in: PubMed | Google Scholar

Endocrine Unit, Imperial College School of Medicine, Hammersmith Hospital, London W12 0NN, United Kingdom

Address correspondence to: S.R. Bloom, Endocrine Unit, Imperial College School of Medicine, Hammersmith Hospital, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, United Kingdom. Phone: 44-181-383-3242; Fax: 44-181-383-3142; E-mail: s.bloom@ic.ac.uk.

Find articles by Sunter, D. in: PubMed | Google Scholar

Endocrine Unit, Imperial College School of Medicine, Hammersmith Hospital, London W12 0NN, United Kingdom

Address correspondence to: S.R. Bloom, Endocrine Unit, Imperial College School of Medicine, Hammersmith Hospital, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, United Kingdom. Phone: 44-181-383-3242; Fax: 44-181-383-3142; E-mail: s.bloom@ic.ac.uk.

Find articles by Ghatei, M. in: PubMed | Google Scholar

Endocrine Unit, Imperial College School of Medicine, Hammersmith Hospital, London W12 0NN, United Kingdom

Address correspondence to: S.R. Bloom, Endocrine Unit, Imperial College School of Medicine, Hammersmith Hospital, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, United Kingdom. Phone: 44-181-383-3242; Fax: 44-181-383-3142; E-mail: s.bloom@ic.ac.uk.

Find articles by Bloom, S. in: PubMed | Google Scholar

Published April 1, 2000 - More info

Published in Volume 105, Issue 7 on April 1, 2000
J Clin Invest. 2000;105(7):1005–1011. https://doi.org/10.1172/JCI8857.
© 2000 The American Society for Clinical Investigation
Published April 1, 2000 - Version history
Received: November 4, 1999; Accepted: February 22, 2000
View PDF
Abstract

Prolonged fasting is associated with a downregulation of the hypothalamo-pituitary thyroid (H-P-T) axis, which is reversed by administration of leptin. The hypothalamic melanocortin system regulates energy balance and mediates a number of central effects of leptin. In this study, we show that hypothalamic melanocortins can stimulate the thyroid axis and that their antagonist, agouti-related peptide (Agrp), can inhibit it. Intracerebroventricular (ICV) administration of Agrp (83-132) decreased plasma thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) in fed male rats. Intraparaventricular nuclear administration of Agrp (83-132) produced a long-lasting suppression of plasma TSH, and plasma T4. ICV administration of a stable α-MSH analogue increased plasma TSH in 24-hour–fasted rats. In vitro, α-MSH increased thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) release from hypothalamic explants. Agrp (83-132) alone caused no change in TRH release but antagonized the effect of α-MSH on TRH release. Leptin increased TRH release from hypothalami harvested from 48-hour–fasted rats. Agrp (83-132) blocked this effect. These data suggest a role for the hypothalamic melanocortin system in the fasting-induced suppression of the H-P-T axis.

Introduction

Energy intake and expenditure are tightly regulated in mammals (1). It has been shown that starvation is associated with a depression of the thyroid axis. Thus, triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), and hypothalamic thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) are reduced in humans and rodents during starvation (2, 3). The resultant decrease in energy expenditure is likely to be an important adaptive response to diminished energy supplies. Leptin signals nutritional status to the hypothalamus. In particular, plasma leptin concentrations decrease with fasting (4). Administration of leptin during fasting prevents the suppression of the hypothalamo-pituitary thyroid (H-P-T) axis (5, 6).

Agouti-related peptide (Agrp) is an endogenous antagonist at the melanocortin 3 and 4 receptor (MC3-R and MC4-R) (7), at which the proopiomelanocortin (POMC) products, such as α-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH), act as agonists. POMC and Agrp cell bodies are located within the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus (7). The hypothalamic melanocortin system is an essential regulator of food intake and energy homeostasis (8). Mutations of POMC and MC4-R in human and mouse are associated with gross obesity (9–11). Hypothalamic Agrp mRNA and the density of MC4-R have been shown to change with altered nutritional states in the rodent (12, 13).

Recently, triple-labeling fluorescent immunohistochemistry with α-MSH, Agrp, and TRH antisera has been used to demonstrate that both α-MSH and Agrp axonal terminals are closely apposed to TRH-producing cell bodies and dendrites in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) (14). This suggests that PVN TRH neurons could be under dual regulation by Agrp and α-MSH. Thus, we hypothesize that the hypothalamic melanocortin system may have a role in regulation of the H-P-T axis. The hypothalamic melanocortin system is an established mediator of leptin’s effects on feeding (15), brown adipose tissue uncoupling protein-1 (via the sympathetic nervous system) (16, 17), and gonadal function (18). We, therefore, also hypothesize that the melanocortin system may be a potential mediator of leptin’s actions on the H-P-T axis.

To test this hypothesis, we investigated whether (a) hypothalamic Agrp and α-MSH altered the H-P-T axis in the rat; (b) the effects of both peptides on the H-P-T axis changed with nutritional status; and (c) antagonism of the melanocortin system by Agrp blocked the effect of leptin on the H-P-T axis.

Methods

Peptides. Agrp (83–132) was purchased from Phoenix Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Mountain View, California, USA). α-MSH and [Nle4, D-Phe7]-αMSH (NDP-MSH) were purchased from Peninsula (St. Helens, Merseyside, United Kingdom). Leptin was obtained from R&D Systems Inc. (Abingdon, Oxford, United Kingdom).

Animals. Male Wistar rats (specific pathogen free; Imperial College School of Medicine, London, United Kingdom) weighing 250–300 g were maintained in individual cages under controlled temperature (21–23°C) and light (12-hour light/dark cycle; lights on at 0700 hours), with ad libitum access to food (RM1 diet; SDS Ltd., Witham, United Kingdom), unless described in experimental protocols, and water.

RIA. Plasma TSH levels were assayed using methods and reagents provided by A. Parlow (NIDDK National Hormone and Pituitary Program, Baltimore, Maryland, USA). Plasma total T4 was measured using a solid-phase RIA (Diagnostic Products Corp., Los Angeles, California, USA). The TRH concentration in aCSF was assayed using methods and reagents provided by H. Fraser (Medical Research Council, Edinburgh, United Kingdom) (19). The α-MSH RIA was developed using an antibody from Chemicon International Inc. (Temecula, California, USA). The cross-reactivity with β, γ1, γ2, γ3-MSH, and ACTH was less than 0.01%, and the detection limit of the assay was 0.5 fmol/tube.

ICV or intraparaventricular nuclear cannulation and injection. Animals were implanted with permanent 22-gauge (ICV) or 26-gauge (iPVN) stainless steel cannulae (Plastics One Inc., Roanoke, Virginia, USA) into the third cerebral ventricle (ICV) or into the paraventricular nucleus (iPVN), as described previously (20, 21). After a 7 day-recovery period, animals were handled daily for 1 week to minimize the stress response. All compounds were dissolved in 0.9% saline and administered in a volume of 10 μL (ICV) or 1 μl (iPVN). For ICV cannulated animals, the correct position of the cannula was confirmed by a positive dipsogenic response to angiotensin II (150 ng). The correct cannula placement of iPVN cannulae was confirmed by histological examination after studies were completed. Only those animals with correctly positioned cannulae, independently assessed, were included in the analysis of data.

After injection, animals were sacrificed by decapitation, and trunk blood was collected in plastic lithium heparin tubes containing 0.6 mg aprotinin. Plasma was separated by centrifugation and stored at –20°C. Plasma TSH concentration was measured by RIA.

Static incubation of hypothalamic explants. The hypothalamic explants (1.8-mm–thick slice taken parallel to the base of the hypothalamus) were maintained in a static incubation system using artificial cerebrospinal fluid (aCSF) gassed with 95% O2 and 5% CO2, as described previously (22). After an initial 2-hour equilibration period, the hypothalami were incubated for 45 minutes in 500 μL aCSF (basal period) before being challenged with the test peptide in 500 μL aCSF for 45 minutes (test period). Finally, the viability of the tissue was verified by 45 minutes of exposure to 56 mM KCl solution (potassium period). At the end of each period, aCSF was collected and stored at –20°C before measurement of TRH or α-MSH by RIA. The hypothalamic explants that showed less than 200% of basal release in response to 56 mM KCl solution were excluded in the data analysis.

Statistical analysis. Results are presented as mean ± SEM. Statistical differences between control and experimental group in the in vivo studies were determined by ANOVA, followed by post hoc Least Significance Difference (Systat, Evanston, Illinois, USA). Data from hypothalamic explant experiment were compared by paired t test between basal and test period. In all cases, P < 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.

Results

Study 1(a). Effect of ICV administration of Agrp (83–132) on plasma TSH in fed or 24-hour–fasted animals. To investigate whether an antagonist of melanocortin receptors affected the H-P-T axis, a biologically active COOH-terminal fragment of Agrp (2 nmol Agrp [83-132]) or saline was administered ICV to fed or 24-hour–fasted animals (n = 10–12 per group) during the early light phase (0800–1100 hours). This dose of Agrp (83–132) was previously found to produce a significant increase in food intake (23). Plasma TSH was measured at 10, 20, and 40 minutes after injection.

Fed animals. Agrp (83–132) significantly decreased plasma TSH at 20 minutes after injection (Agrp 2.1 ± 0.3 ng/mL vs. saline 3.1 ± 0.5 ng/mL; P < 0.05; Figure 1a), and this effect was sustained at 40 minutes (Agrp 2.0 ± 0.3 ng/mL vs. saline 3.0 ± 0.1 ng/mL; P < 0.05).

The effects of (a) ICV Agrp (83–132) (2 nmol) on plasma TSH in fed rats andFigure 1

The effects of (a) ICV Agrp (83–132) (2 nmol) on plasma TSH in fed rats and (b) ICV NDP-MSH (5 nmol) on plasma TSH in 24-hour–fasted rats. Either peptide or saline was administered to the rat 3rd ventricle in the early light phase (0900–1100 hours). Plasma TSH concentration was measured at 10, 20, and 40 minutes after injection. AP < 0.05 versus saline-injected control group.

Fasted animals. Agrp (83–132) did not cause a significant change in plasma TSH at any time point (20 minutes; Agrp 2.3 ± 0.3 ng/mL vs. saline 2.2 ± 0.1 ng/mL; P = NS).

Study 1(b). Effect of ICV administration of NDP-MSH on plasma TSH in fed or 24-hour–fasted animals. To investigate the effect of melanocortin receptor agonism on the H-P-T axis, NDP-MSH (a stable analogue of α-MSH, 5 nmol) or saline was administered ICV to fed or 24-hour–fasted animals (n = 10–13 per group) during the early light phase. This dose of NDP-MSH was found to produce a 50% reduction in food intake (our unpublished observations). Plasma TSH was measured at 10, 20, and 40 minutes after injection.

Fed animals. NDP-MSH did not significantly alter plasma TSH levels at any time point (20 minutes; NDP-MSH 5 nmol 3.0 ± 0.2 ng/mL vs. saline 3.6 ± 0.4 ng/mL; P = NS).

Fasted animals. NDP-MSH significantly increased plasma TSH at 20 minutes (NDP-MSH 2.7 ± 0.2 ng/mL vs. saline 2.0 ± 0.2 ng/mL; P < 0.05; Figure 1b).

Study 2. Effect of iPVN administration of Agrp (83–132) on plasma TSH and total T4. Agrp induces a long-lasting increase in food intake when administered centrally (23, 24). To investigate whether the effect of Agrp on the H-P-T axis is dependent on food intake, 3 groups of PVN cannulated animals were investigated (n = 11–13 per group). In group 1, animals received saline and were ad libitum fed. In group 2, animals were Agrp injected and ad libitum fed. In group 3, animals received Agrp and were food restricted to ensure the same weight of food was eaten as the saline control group. Agrp (83–132) (0.1 nmol) or saline was administered directly into the PVN at the beginning of the dark phase (lights off at 1900 hours). Previously, this dose of Agrp (83–132) increased 24-hour food intake by 200% in PVN cannulated animals (24). At the end of the dark phase, 15 hours after injection, animals were decapitated and trunk blood was collected. Plasma TSH and total T4 were measured by RIA.

IPVN Agrp (83–132) significantly decreased plasma TSH in both the ad libitum and food-restricted groups (saline, 3.4 ± 0.3 ng/mL; Agrp/ad libitum, 1.9 ± 0.4 ng/mL; Agrp/food-restricted, 2.1 ± 0.4 ng/mL; both groups, P < 0.005 vs. saline; Figure 2a) and plasma total T4 (saline, 4.9 ± 0.6 μg/dL; Agrp/ad libitum, 3.1 ± 0.2 μg/dL; P < 0.005 vs. saline; Agrp/food-restricted, 3.5 ± 0.2 μg/dL; P < 0.01 vs. saline; Figure 2b) 15 hours after injection.

The effect of iPVN Agrp (83–132) on (a) plasma TSH and (b) plasma T4. AgrpFigure 2

The effect of iPVN Agrp (83–132) on (a) plasma TSH and (b) plasma T4. Agrp (0.1 nmol) or saline was administered into the rat PVN in the beginning of the dark phase (1900–2000 hours). Plasma TSH and T4 concentrations were measured at the end of the dark phase, 15 hours after injection (0900–1100 hours). Three groups were investigated: saline; (saline injected and ad libitum fed), Agrp (Agrp injected and ad libitum fed), Agrp/FR (Agrp-injected and food-restricted [FR] to saline control group). AP < 0.01 versus saline-injected group, BP < 0.005 versus saline-injected group.

Study 3. Effect of α-MSH or/and Agrp (83–132) on TRH release from hypothalami harvested from fed and 48-hour–fasted animals . To investigate the effect of α-MSH and Agrp on TRH release in vitro, hypothalamic explants harvested from fed and 48-hour–fasted animals were incubated with α-MSH (100 nM), Agrp (83–132) (100 nM), or both α-MSH and Agrp (83–132) (n = 15 per group).

Fed animals. α-MSH significantly increased TRH release from hypothalamic explants (basal, 10.6 ± 1.7 fmol/explant; α-MSH–treated, 24.8 ± 4.8 fmol/explant; P < 0.01; Figure 3a). Agrp (83–132) alone did not alter TRH release (basal, 11.1 ± 1.2 fmol/explant; Agrp-treated ,12.2 ± 1.2 fmol/explant; P = NS; Figure 3a) but blocked the effect of α-MSH (basal, 12.1 ± 1.4 fmol/explant; Agrp + α-MSH, 12.3 ± 1.8 fmol/explant; P = NS; Figure 3a).

The effects of α-MSH (100 nM), Agrp (83–132) (100 nM), and both α-MSH (100Figure 3

The effects of α-MSH (100 nM), Agrp (83–132) (100 nM), and both α-MSH (100 nM) and Agrp (83–132) (100 nM) on TRH release from hypothalamic explants harvested from (a) fed animals and (b) 48-hour–fasted animals. AP < 0.01 versus basal period.

Fasted animals. Comparable effects were observed in hypothalamic slices harvested from 48-hour–fasted animals. Again, α-MSH significantly increased TRH release (basal, 8.4 ± 1.4 fmol/explant; α-MSH–treated, 17.2 ± 2.5 fmol/explant; P < 0.01; Figure 3b). Agrp (83–132) alone did not alter TRH release (basal, 8.2 ± 1.2 fmol/explant; Agrp-treated, 7.6 ± 1.2 fmol/explant; P = NS; Figure 3b) but blocked the effect of α-MSH (basal, 7.3 ± 1.4 fmol/explant; Agrp + α-MSH, 7.8 ± 1.2 fmol/explant; P = NS; Figure 3b).

Study 4. Effect of leptin on αMSH and TRH release from hypothalami harvested from fed or 48-hour–fasted animals. To compare the effect of leptin on α-MSH and TRH release in fed and 48-hour–fasted animals, hypothalamic explants were incubated with leptin (100 nM) (n = 15 per group).

Fed animals. Leptin did not significantly increase secretion of either α-MSH (basal, 4.0 ± 0.7 fmol/explant; leptin-treated, 6.3 ± 1.2 fmol/explant; P = 0.06; Figure 4a) or TRH (basal, 9.8 ± 1.4 fmol/explant; leptin-treated 9.9 ± 1.4 fmol/explant; P = NS; Figure 4b) from hypothalamic explants.

The effect of leptin (100 nM) on α-MSH release (a, c) and TRH release (b, dFigure 4

The effect of leptin (100 nM) on α-MSH release (a, c) and TRH release (b, d) from the hypothalami harvested from fed rats (a, b) and 48-hour–fasted rats (c, d). AP < 0.05 versus basal period. BP < 0.005 versus saline.

Fasted animals. Leptin significantly increased secretion of both α-MSH (basal, 4.9 ± 0.9 fmol/explant; leptin-treated, 11.5 ± 1.7 fmol/explant; P < 0.005; Figure 4c) and TRH (basal, 15.8 ± 2.6 fmol/explant; leptin-treated, 36.5 ± 10.3 fmol/explant; P < 0.05; Figure 4d) from hypothalamic explants.

Study 5. Blocking effect of Agrp (83–132) on leptin-induced TRH release from hypothalami harvested from 48-hour–fasted animals. The results of study 4 demonstrated that leptin had a significant stimulatory effect on α-MSH and TRH release from hypothalamic explants harvested from 48-hour–fasted animals. To investigate the role of the melanocortin system in mediating the leptin effect on TRH release, we examined the ability of Agrp (83–132) to block leptin-induced TRH release. Leptin (100 nM), Agrp (83–132) (100 nM) or both leptin and Agrp (83–132) were applied to hypothalamic explants harvested from 48-hour–fasted animals (n = 10 per group).

Leptin significantly increased TRH release from the hypothalami harvested from 48-hour–fasted rats (basal, 13.5 ± 2.2 fmol/explant; leptin-treated, 40.6 ± 10.2 fmol/explant; P < 0.05; Figure 5). Agrp (83–132) alone did not alter TRH release (basal, 10.9 ± 1.0 fmol/explant; Agrp (83–132)–treated; 12.3 ± 2.3 fmol/explant; P = NS; Figure 5) but blocked the leptin-stimulated TRH release (basal, 12.1 ± 1.8 fmol/explant; leptin + Agrp. 18.4 ± 4.5 fmol/explant; P = NS; Figure 5).

The effect of leptin (100 nM), Agrp (83–132) (100 nM), and both leptin (100Figure 5

The effect of leptin (100 nM), Agrp (83–132) (100 nM), and both leptin (100 nM) and Agrp (83–132) (100 nM) on TRH release from hypothalami harvested from 48-hour–fasted rats. AP < 0.05 versus basal period.

Discussion

In this study, central administration of Agrp (83–132) to rats significantly decreased plasma TSH and total T4, whereas NDP-MSH increased plasma TSH. Consistent with these findings, α-MSH increased TRH release from hypothalamic explants and Agrp (83–132) blocked the α-MSH–induced increase in TRH release.

The hypothalamic melanocortin system has been shown to respond to changes in nutritional status (12, 13). For example, Agrp mRNA increases by 10- to 15-fold after a 48-hour–fast (12), and POMC mRNA has been reported to decrease in response to fasting (25). We have shown here that the effects of exogenous Agrp (83–132) and NDP-MSH on the H-P-T axis are also dependent on feeding status. ICV Agrp (83–132) decreases plasma TSH in the fed state but not in the fasted state, whereas, conversely, NDP-MSH increases plasma TSH in the fasted state but not in the fed state. However, in isolated hypothalamic explants from both fed and fasted animals, TRH release is increased in response to α-MSH, but Agrp (83–132) alone has no effect.

The following model, illustrated in Figure 6, may explain these findings. In the fasted state, circulating leptin is low (4). This decreases hypothalamic POMC (25) and, thus, the melanocortin receptor agonist α-MSH, and increases Agrp (12). Thus, melanocortin receptor activation is likely to be at a low level in the fasted state. Hence, exogenous Agrp had no significant effect, as there was little endogenous melanocortin receptor activation for it to block. When exogenous NDP-MSH was administered to fasted animals, it was able to increase melanocortin receptor activation and to increase plasma TSH.

A hypothetical model showing changes of hypothalamic POMC, Agrp, and melanoFigure 6

A hypothetical model showing changes of hypothalamic POMC, Agrp, and melanocortin receptor activation in fed animals, fasted animals, and hypothalamic slices. In the fed state, high level of circulating leptin increases POMC and decreases Agrp, resulting in high activation of melanocortin receptor. In this situation, exogenous α-MSH is inactive and Agrp is active. In the fasted state and in the hypothalamic slice, low or no circulating leptin induces changes of the central melanocortin system, low POMC, high Agrp, and low melanocortin receptor activation. In this situation, exogenous α-MSH is active and Agrp is inactive.

In the fed state, circulating leptin is high, POMC is high, and Agrp is low. Hence, melanocortin receptor activation would be at a high level. Under these circumstances, exogenous NDP-MSH was without effect, as melanocortin receptors were already activated, but exogenous Agrp was able to block this receptor activation, and reduced plasma TSH.

In our in vitro experiments, α-MSH increased TRH release from hypothalamic explants from both fed and fasted animals, suggesting that melanocortin receptors are not fully activated. Agrp alone had no effect on the slices, further suggesting a low level of melanocortin receptor activation. It is thus possible that the isolation of the hypothalamus from extra hypothalamic inputs causes a loss of melanocortin tone. This phenomenon of loss of melanocortin tone in hypothalamic explants has also been observed by another group. They demonstrated that SHU9119 blocked synaptic responses stimulated by exogenous MT II in hypothalamic slices including the PVN, but had no effect alone, whereas in vivo, SHU9119 increased food intake when injected into the rat PVN (26).

This model, based on our results, suggests that hypothalamic melanocortin tone is maintained by feeding-dependent, extrahypothalamic inputs. One possible input is circulating leptin.

Fasting induces a suppression of PVN proTRH mRNA expression and depresses the H-P-T axis (2, 3). This is reversed by administration of leptin (5, 6). A number of central effects of leptin are mediated by melanocortins (15–18). Hence, we investigated whether the hypothalamic melanocortin system could mediate the effects of leptin on the H-P-T axis. Leptin caused a significant increase in TRH release from hypothalamic explants harvested from 48-hour–fasted rats. Leptin also caused an increase in α-MSH release from these slices. Although Agrp (83–132) had no effect on basal TRH release, it was able to reverse the stimulatory effect of leptin on TRH release. This suggests that increased α-MSH release mediates at least part of leptin’s actions on the H-P-T axis.

Although leptin increased α-MSH and TRH release from hypothalamic explants from 48-hour–fasted rats, no significant effect was seen on explants from fed animals. This difference may be explained by the well-documented increase in arcuate nucleus leptin receptors in fasting (27, 28). Hence, hypothalamic explants from fasted animals would be more sensitive to exogenous leptin.

ProTRH mRNA expression in the PVN changes with metabolic state (6). Pro-TRH neurons here are densely innervated by both α-MSH and Agrp neuronal projections from the arcuate nucleus (14, 29). TRH neurons in the lateral hypothalamus are neither responsive to metabolic status nor innervated with melanocortin neurons (6, 29). To test whether PVN TRH neurons were responsive to melanocortins, Agrp (83–132) was directly injected into the PVN animals. This produced a long-lasting suppression of plasma TSH with a simultaneous fall in plasma T4, which was independent of Agrp-stimulated food intake. Thus, it would appear that PVN TRH neurons are tonically stimulated by melanocortin agonists in the fed state.

A role for the arcuate nucleus mediating the effects of fasting and leptin on the H-P-T axis is suggested by previous data. After ablation of the arcuate nucleus, and therefore of POMC- and Agrp-containing neurons, there was no fasting-induced suppression of the H-P-T axis and no effect of exogenous leptin (30). As well as the melanocortin-mediated effect of leptin, there could be a direct effect of leptin on the TRH neuron. Recently, it has been reported that leptin stimulates TRH promoter activity in primary cultures of rat fetal hypothalamic neurons (31).

Although the data presented in this article suggest a role for the melanocortins in the fasting-induced suppression of the H-P-T axis, this does not preclude the involvement of other hypothalamic peptides. Neuropeptide Y (NPY) has been described as a possible hypothalamic mediator of leptin actions on the H-P-T axis (32). NPY and Agrp are produced by the same arcuate neurons (33). Immunohistochemical investigation demonstrates that nerve terminals immunoreactive for NPY and Agrp, as well as for α-MSH, are found in close proximity to PVN TRH neurons (18, 30, 33). The NPY knockout mouse has a normal H-P-T response to fasting (34). It will be interesting to examine whether prolonged fasting induces a suppression of the H-P-T axis in the POMC– and MC4-R–deficient mice.

Our data has suggested a role of the melanocortin/Agrp system in the central regulation of thyroid function and provided evidence that it may act as a mediator of leptin’s actions on the H-P-T axis. This system may provide a link between the control of food intake and energy expenditure.

Acknowledgments

We thank the Medical Research Council (MRC) for program grant support (G7811974). S.A. Stanley, L.J. Seal, and W.M. Kong are Wellcome Trust clinical training fellows. D. Sunter is funded by an MRC PhD studentship.

References
  1. Silva, JE. Thyroid hormone control of thermogenesis and energy balance. Thyroid 1995. 5:481-492.
    View this article via: PubMed Google Scholar
  2. Blake, NG, Eckland, DJ, Foster, OJ, Lightman, SL. Inhibition of hypothalamic thyrotropin-releasing hormone messenger ribonucleic acid during food deprivation. Endocrinology 1991. 129:2714-2718.
    View this article via: PubMed Google Scholar
  3. Spencer, CA, Lum, SM, Wilber, JF, Kaptein, EM, Nicoloff, JT. Dynamics of serum thyrotropin and thyroid hormone changes in fasting. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1983. 56:883-888.
    View this article via: PubMed Google Scholar
  4. Weigle, DS, et al. Effect of fasting, refeeding, and dietary fat restriction on plasma leptin levels. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 1997. 82:561-565.
    View this article via: PubMed CrossRef Google Scholar
  5. Ahima, RS, et al. Role of leptin in the neuroendocrine response to fasting. Nature 1996. 382:250-252.
    View this article via: PubMed CrossRef Google Scholar
  6. Legradi, G, Emerson, CH, Ahima, RS, Flier, JS, Lechan, RM. Leptin prevents fasting-induced suppression of prothyrotropin-releasing hormone messenger ribonucleic acid in neurons of the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus. Endocrinology 1997. 138:2569-2576.
    View this article via: PubMed CrossRef Google Scholar
  7. Ollmann, MM, et al. Antagonism of central melanocortin receptors in vitro and in vivo by agouti-related protein. Science 1997. 278:135-138.
    View this article via: PubMed CrossRef Google Scholar
  8. Fan, W, Boston, BA, Kesterson, RA, Hruby, VJ, Cone, RD. Role of melanocortinergic neurons in feeding and the agouti obesity syndrome. Nature 1997. 385:165-168.
    View this article via: PubMed CrossRef Google Scholar
  9. Krude, H, et al. Severe early-onset obesity, adrenal insufficiency and red hair pigmentation caused by POMC mutations in humans. Nat Genet 1998. 19:155-157.
    View this article via: PubMed CrossRef Google Scholar
  10. Huszar, D, et al. Targeted disruption of the melanocortin-4 receptor results in obesity in mice. Cell 1997. 88:131-141.
    View this article via: PubMed CrossRef Google Scholar
  11. Vaisse, C, Clement, K, Guy, GB, Froguel, P. A frameshift mutation in human MC4R is associated with a dominant form of obesity. Nat Genet 1998. 20:113-114.
    View this article via: PubMed CrossRef Google Scholar
  12. Mizuno, TM, Mobbs, CV. Hypothalamic agouti-related protein messenger ribonucleic acid is inhibited by leptin and stimulated by fasting. Endocrinology 1999. 140:814-817.
    View this article via: PubMed CrossRef Google Scholar
  13. Harrold, JA, Widdowson, PS, Williams, G. Altered energy balance causes selective changes in melanocortin-4 (MC4-R), but not melanocortin-3 (MC3-R), receptors in specific hypothalamic regions: further evidence that activation of MC4-R is a physiological inhibitor of feeding. Diabetes 1999. 48:267-271.
    View this article via: PubMed CrossRef Google Scholar
  14. Fekete, C, et al. α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone is contained in nerve terminals innervating thyrotropin releasing hormone synthesizing neurons in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus and prevents fasting induced suppression of prothyrotropin releasing hormone gene expression. J Neurosci 2000. 20:1550-1558.
    View this article via: PubMed Google Scholar
  15. Seeley, RJ, et al. Melanocortin receptors in leptin effects. Nature 1997. 390:349.
    View this article via: PubMed Google Scholar
  16. Satoh, N, et al. Satiety effect and sympathetic activation of leptin are mediated by hypothalamic melanocortin system. Neurosci Lett 1998. 249:107-110.
    View this article via: PubMed CrossRef Google Scholar
  17. Haynes, WG, Morgan, DA, Djalali, A, Sivitz, WI, Mark, AL. Interactions between the melanocortin system and leptin in control of sympathetic nerve traffic. Hypertension 1999. 33:542-547.
    View this article via: PubMed Google Scholar
  18. Watanobe, H, Schioth, HB, Wikberg, JES, Suda, T. The melanocortin 4 receptor mediates leptin stimulation of luteinizing hormone and prolactin surges in steroid-primed ovariectomized rats. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 1999. 257:860-864.
    View this article via: PubMed CrossRef Google Scholar
  19. Akinsanya, KO, Ghatei, MA, Bloom, SR. Gonadal steroids regulate rat anterior pituitary levels of TSH releasing hormone and pyroglutamyl-glutamyl-proline amide like immunoreactivity. Endocrinology 1995. 136:734-740.
    View this article via: PubMed CrossRef Google Scholar
  20. O’Shea, D, et al. Neuropeptide Y induced feeding in the rat is mediated by a novel receptor. Endocrinology 1997. 138:196-202.
    View this article via: PubMed CrossRef Google Scholar
  21. Edwards, CM, et al. The effect of the orexins on food intake: comparison with neuropeptide Y, melanin-concentrating hormone and galanin. J Endocrinol 1999. 160:R7-R12.
    View this article via: PubMed CrossRef Google Scholar
  22. Stanley, SA, et al. Agouti related peptide (Agrp) stimulates the hypothalamo pituitary gonadal axis in vivo and in vitro in male rats. Endocrinology 1999. 140:5459-5462.
    View this article via: PubMed CrossRef Google Scholar
  23. Rossi, M, et al. A C-terminal fragment of Agouti-related protein increases feeding and antagonizes the effect of alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone in vivo. Endocrinology 1998. 139:4428-4431.
    View this article via: PubMed CrossRef Google Scholar
  24. Kim, MS, et al. Hypothalamic localization of the feeding effect of agouti-related peptide and α-melanocyte stimulating hormone. Diabetes 2000. 49:177-182.
    View this article via: PubMed CrossRef Google Scholar
  25. Mizuno, TM, et al. Hypothalamic pro-opiomelanocortin mRNA is reduced by fasting and in ob/ob and db/db mice, but is stimulated by leptin. Diabetes 1998. 47:294-297.
    View this article via: PubMed CrossRef Google Scholar
  26. Cowley, MA, et al. Integration of NPY, AGRP, and melanocortin signals in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus: evidence of a cellular basis for the adipostat. Neuron 1999. 24:155-163.
    View this article via: PubMed CrossRef Google Scholar
  27. Baskin, DG, et al. Increased expression of mRNA for the long form of the leptin receptor in the hypothalamus is associated with leptin hypersensitivity and fasting. Diabetes 1998. 47:538-543.
    View this article via: PubMed CrossRef Google Scholar
  28. Baskin, DG, Breininger, JF, Bonigut, S, Millerm, MA. Leptin binding in the arcuate nucleus is increased during fasting. Brain Res 1999. 828:154-158.
    View this article via: PubMed CrossRef Google Scholar
  29. Legradi, G, Lechan, RM. Agouti-related protein containing nerve terminals innervate thyrotropin-releasing hormone neurons in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus. Endocrinology 1999. 140:3643-3652.
    View this article via: PubMed CrossRef Google Scholar
  30. Legradi, G, et al. Arcuate nucleus ablation prevents fasting-induced suppression of ProTRH mRNA in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus. Neuroendocrinology 1998. 68:89-97.
    View this article via: PubMed CrossRef Google Scholar
  31. Nillni, E, et al. Leptin regulates proTRH biosynthesis. Proc Am Endocr Soc 81st Ann Meet 1999. OR36:1. (Abstr.)
  32. Legradi, G, Lechan, RM. The arcuate nucleus is the major source for neuropeptide Y-innervation of thyrotropin-releasing hormone neurons in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus. Endocrinology 1998. 139:3262-3270.
    View this article via: PubMed CrossRef Google Scholar
  33. Broberger, C, Johansen, J, Johansson, C, Schalling, M, Hokfelt, T. The neuropeptide Y/agouti gene-related protein (AGRP) brain circuitry in normal, anorectic, and monosodium glutamate-treated mice. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 1998. 95:15043-15048.
    View this article via: PubMed CrossRef Google Scholar
  34. Erickson, JC, Ahima, RS, Hollopeter, G, Flier, JS, Palmiter, RD. Endocrine function of neuropeptide Y knockout mice. Regul Pept 1997. 70:199-202.
    View this article via: PubMed CrossRef Google Scholar
Version history
  • Version 1 (April 1, 2000): No description

Article tools

  • View PDF
  • Download citation information
  • Send a comment
  • Terms of use
  • Standard abbreviations
  • Need help? Email the journal

Metrics

  • Article usage
  • Citations to this article

Go to

  • Top
  • Abstract
  • Introduction
  • Methods
  • Results
  • Discussion
  • Acknowledgments
  • References
  • Version history
Advertisement
Advertisement

Copyright © 2025 American Society for Clinical Investigation
ISSN: 0021-9738 (print), 1558-8238 (online)

Sign up for email alerts