Feeding behavior is modulated by hypothalamic activation of cholinergic receptor α7nAChR in model of maternal obesity during gestaction and lactation

Abstract

Activation of cholinergic receptor (α7nAChR) in hypothalamus can modulates inflammatory response and they are colocalized with POMC and NPY neurons. Activation of hypothalamic nAChR modulated NPY and POMC expression and reduced food intake. Maternal obesity promoted reduction of nAChR in hypothalamus of the offspring and increased food intake. Thus, the reduction of hypothalamic α7nAChR in offspring may be related to obesity development induced by maternal consumption of high fat diet during pregnancy and lactation.