Immobilization stress-induced anorexia is mediated independent of MyD88

MyD88 is an adaptor protein for the toll-like receptor, which is involved in regulating innate immune function. Lipopolysaccharide-induced activation of toll-like receptor 4 signaling induces hypothalamic signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) phosphorylation and anorexia through MyD88. In the present study, we investigated the possible role of MyD88 in psychological stress-induced anorexia. We found that immobilization stress inhibited food intake in both wild-type mice and MyD88-deficient mice. Immobilization stress slightly increased STAT3 phosphorylation in the hypothalamus, but it was weaker than the lipopolysaccharide-induced increase in STAT3 phosphorylation. These observations suggest that the mechanisms involved in psychological stress-induced anorexia may be regulated differently from those involved in anorexia that is induced by infection.