We studied the content of GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) and the activity of both GABA aminotransferase (GABA-t) and glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) in the brainstem and pancreas of either 11 weeks old genetically obese rats and their age matched lean control rats. Gaba content and GAD activity in the brainstem of 11 weeks old obese rats were lower than in age matched lean controls. By contrast no difference was observed between obese and lean rats in the GABAergic system of pancreas. Moreover Zucker rats showed increased plasma levels of insulin and a greater body weight when compared to their lean control rats. A repeated administration of sodium valproate (100 mg/kg in a volume of 0.5 ml/100 g body weight for 28 days) decreased plasma insulin (p < 0.05) in obese rats, while the same therapeutic approach did not affect this parameter in lean rats. Furthermore sodium valproate significantly increased GABA levels and decreased GABA-t activity in both lean and obese rats. This study strongly supports the idea that a decreased brainstem GABA content may be responsible for hyperinsulinemia in obese Zucker rats.

A DECREASED BRAIN-STEM CONTENT OF GABA MEDIATES HYPERINSULINEMIA IN OBESE ZUCKER RATS

SQUADRITO, Francesco;CUCINOTTA, Domenico Maria;ARCORACI, Vincenzo;CALAPAI, Gioacchino;CAMPO, Giuseppe Maurizio;CAPUTI, Achille
1991-01-01

Abstract

We studied the content of GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid) and the activity of both GABA aminotransferase (GABA-t) and glutamate decarboxylase (GAD) in the brainstem and pancreas of either 11 weeks old genetically obese rats and their age matched lean control rats. Gaba content and GAD activity in the brainstem of 11 weeks old obese rats were lower than in age matched lean controls. By contrast no difference was observed between obese and lean rats in the GABAergic system of pancreas. Moreover Zucker rats showed increased plasma levels of insulin and a greater body weight when compared to their lean control rats. A repeated administration of sodium valproate (100 mg/kg in a volume of 0.5 ml/100 g body weight for 28 days) decreased plasma insulin (p < 0.05) in obese rats, while the same therapeutic approach did not affect this parameter in lean rats. Furthermore sodium valproate significantly increased GABA levels and decreased GABA-t activity in both lean and obese rats. This study strongly supports the idea that a decreased brainstem GABA content may be responsible for hyperinsulinemia in obese Zucker rats.
1991
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11570/1889634
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