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Horm Metab Res 2017; 49(06): 472-479
DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-100383
Endocrine Research
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Peripheral and Central Glucocorticoid Signaling Contributes to Positive Energy Balance in Rats

Tássia Karin Borba
1   Post-Graduation in Neuropsychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Health Sciences Center, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
,
Lígia Cristina Monteiro Galindo
2   Department of Anatomy, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
,
Kelli Nogueira Ferraz-Pereira
3   Department of Physical Education and Sports Science, CAV, Federal University of Pernambuco, Vitória de Santo Antão, Pernambuco, Brazil
,
Raquel da Silva Aragão
3   Department of Physical Education and Sports Science, CAV, Federal University of Pernambuco, Vitória de Santo Antão, Pernambuco, Brazil
,
Ana Elisa Toscano
4   Department of Nursing, CAV, Federal University of Pernambuco, Vitória de Santo Antão, Pernambuco, Brazil
,
Omar Guzmán-Quevedo
5   Facultad de Químico-Farmacobiología, Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolás de Hidalgo, Morelia, Michoacán, Mexico
,
Raul Manhães-de-Castro
6   Department of Nutrition, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

received 29 August 2016

accepted 22 December 2016

Publication Date:
21 April 2017 (online)

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Abstract

The obesity epidemic has been the target of several studies to understand its etiology. The pathophysiological processes that take to obesity generally relate to the rupture of energy balance. This imbalance can result from environmental and/or endogenous events. Among the endogenous events, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, which promotes stress response via glucocorticoid activity, is considered a modulator of energy balance. However, it remains controversial whether the increase in plasma levels of glucocorticoids results in a positive or negative energy balance. Furthermore, there are no studies comparing different routes of administration of glucocorticoids in this context. Here, we investigated the effects of intraperitoneal (i.p.) or intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) administration of a specific agonist for glucocorticoid receptors on food intake and energy expenditure in rats. Sixty-day old rats were treated with i.p. or i.c.v. dexamethasone. Food intake and satiety were evaluated, as well as locomotor activity in order to determine energy expenditure. Both i.p. and i.c.v. dexamethasone increased food intake and decreased energy expenditure. Moreover, i.c.v. dexamethasone delayed the onset of satiety. Together, these results confirm that central glucocorticoid signaling promotes a positive energy balance and supports the role of the glucocorticoid system as the underlying cause of psychological stress-induced obesity.

Key words

hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis - dexamethasone - food intake - energy expenditure

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