Radio-frequency vs. electrolytic VMH lesions: differential effects on plasma hormones

Electrolytic lesions of the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH) result in marked hyperphagia and obesity, but several studies have found the excess food intake and weight gain to be greatly reduced when lesions are produced by electrocauterization with radio-frequency current. Unlike electrolytic lesions, radio-frequency lesions leave few or no deposits of metallic ions that can potentially stimulate adjacent tissue. In the present experiment, weight gain and several endocrine responses previously associated with the VMH syndrome were compared in female rats given either electrolytic, radio-frequency, or sham VMH lesions. Both groups with VMH lesions became obese, but rats with radio-frequency lesions displayed only 63.2% of the weight gain of animals with irritative lesions (120.0 vs. 189.8 g in 20 days). Only rats with electrolytic lesions displayed elevated plasma insulin levels during an initial period of food restriction, but both groups with lesions were hyperinsulinemic when allowed to overeat. Plasma growth hormone levels were decreased by electrolytic lesions but unaffected by radio-frequency lesions. Morning corticosterone levels were elevated in both VMH groups, but only the rats with electrolytic lesions were found to have elevations in plasma adrenocorticotropin. It is concluded that some of the endocrine dysfunctions resulting from electrolytic VMH lesions are due to irritative stimulation rather than to tissue ablation.