Diabetes 54:2269-2276, 2005
© 2005 by the American Diabetes Association, Inc.
Proopiomelanocortin-Deficient Mice Are Hypersensitive to the Adverse Metabolic Effects of Glucocorticoids
Anthony P. Coll,
Benjamin G. Challis,
Miguel López,
Sarah Piper,
Giles S.H. Yeo, and
Stephen ORahilly
From the Departments of Clinical Biochemistry and Medicine, Cambridge Institute for Medical Research, Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge, U.K
Congenital lack of proopiomelanocortin (POMC) causes obesity and glucocorticoid deficiency. The responses of Pomc–/– and wild-type mice to the administration of corticosterone were compared. In study 1, mice were given corticosterone-supplemented water (CORT) for 10 days, resulting in plasma CORT levels within the physiological range, with partial suppression of hypothalamic corticotropin-releasing hormone expression to a similar degree between genotypes. Body weight, fat mass, and food intake increased in CORT-treated Pomc–/– but not wild-type mice. CORT increased plasma insulin levels 50-fold in Pomc–/– versus 14-fold in wild-type mice (P < 0.01) and increased hypothalamic agouti-related protein (AgRP) expression by more than 200% in Pomc–/– versus 40% in wild type (P < 0.05). In study 2, mice were given CORT from weaning, and Pomc–/– but not wild-type mice developed hyperglycemia, ketonuria, and hepatic steatosis by 8–12 weeks. Thus, Pomc–/– mice are hypersensitive to the adverse metabolic effects of glucocorticoids. Additionally, as the levels of plasma CORT achieved, especially in study 1, were not grossly supraphysiological, we conclude that glucocorticoid deficiency may afford Pomc–/– mice some protection from the full adverse consequences of melanocortin deficiency. This may occur through a mechanism involving the suppression of AgRP by the hypoadrenal state.
Address correspondence and reprint requests to Stephen ORahilly, University Departments of Medicine and Clinical Biochemistry, Box 232, Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge CB2 2QR, U.K. E-mail: so104{at}medschl.cam.ac.uk

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Copyright © 2005 by the American Diabetes Association.
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