Effects of energy status and diet on Bdnf expression in the ventromedial hypothalamus of male and female rats

Abstract

Sex differences exist in the regulation of energy homeostasis in response to calorie scarcity or excess. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is one of the anorexigenic neuropeptides regulating energy homeostasis. Expression of Bdnf mRNA in the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus (VMH) is closely associated with energy and reproductive status. We hypothesized that Bdnf expression in the VMH was differentially regulated by altered energy balance in male and female rats. Using dietary intervention, including fasting-induced negative energy status and high-fat diet (HFD) feeding-induced positive energy status, along with low-fat diet (LFD) feeding and HFD pair-feeding (HFD-PF), effects of diets and changes in energy status on VMH Bdnf expression were compared between male and female rats. Fasted males but not females had lower VMH Bdnf expression than their fed counterparts following 24-hour fasting, suggesting that fasted males reduced Bdnf expression to drive hyperphagia and body weight gain. Male HFD obese and HFD-PF non-obese rats had similarly reduced expression of Bdnf compared with LFD males, indicating that dampened Bdnf expression was associated with feeding a diet high in fat instead of increased adiposity. Decreased BDNF signaling during HFD feeding would increase a drive to eat and may contribute to diet-induced obesity in males. In contrast, VMH Bdnf expression was stably maintained in females when energy homeostasis was disturbed. These results suggest sex-distinct regulation of central Bdnf expression by diet and energy status.

Sex differences in brain‐derived neurotrophic factor signaling and functions

“…When comparing the absolute amount of BDNF in various brain regions between male and female, it is reported that female rats have higher BDNF content in the hippocampus, ventromedial hypothalamus, cortex and amygdala than male rats (Bakos et al 2009; Bland et al 2005; Liu et al 2014; Snigdha et al 2011). Franklin and Perrot-Sinal also demonstrated a lower level of BDNF in male hippocampus CA3 region (Franklin and Perrot-Sinal 2006).…”

“…In a recent study, Liu et al . demonstrate a downregulation of BDNF expression in the male ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH) during fasting (Liu et al 2014). This observation concurs with the function of BDNF as an anorexic factor to suppress appetite in the hypothalamus (Pelleymounter et al 1995), which may be associated with the food intake behavioral change in response to food availability as male animals have a higher food-anticipatory activity and food intake after refeeding (Li et al 2015).…”

Huatuo Zaizao pill promotes functional recovery and neurogenesis after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion in rats

“…β-Actin cDNA was used as a control. Relative expression between a given sample and a reference sample was calculated using the 2 –ΔΔCt method [22]. …”

Developmental changes in the hypothalamic mRNA expression levels of brain‐derived neurotrophic factor and serum leptin levels: Their responses to fasting in male and female rats

“…The chronic intracerebroventricular infusion of BDNF reduced the appetite and body weight of adult rats (Lapchak and Hefti, 1992), and the direct injection of BDNF into the VMH and PVN reduced food intake and increased energy expenditure (Wang et al, 2007a,b; Xu and Xie, 2016). In addition, 24 h food deprivation reduced the VMH BDNF mRNA levels of rats (Liu et al, 2014), and the injection of leptin, which is a potent anorectic factor derived from adipose tissue, increased the VMH BDNF mRNA levels of mice (Komori et al, 2006). These results suggest that hypothalamic BDNF is a potent anorectic factor and that the BDNF mRNA level might be partially regulated by leptin.…”