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Measurement of nitric oxide synthase and its mRNA in genetically obese (ob/ob) mice

J E Morley1, V B Kumar, M Mattammal

  • 1Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center, St. Louis VA Medical Center, MO, USA.

Life Sciences
|January 1, 1995
PubMed

Insights

Genetically obese mice exhibit higher levels of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and its messenger RNA (mRNA) in the hypothalamus. This finding suggests nitric oxide plays a role in regulating food intake and obesity.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Metabolic Disorders
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Nitric oxide (NO) is implicated in regulating food intake.
  • Obese (ob/ob) mice are a genetic model for obesity.
  • Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitors reduce weight in ob/ob mice.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in the hypothalamus of genetically obese (ob/ob) mice.
  • To compare NOS and its mRNA levels in ob/ob mice versus lean controls (ob/c).

Main Methods:

  • Quantitative analysis of NOS activity in hypothalamic tissue.
  • Measurement of NOS mRNA levels using established molecular biology techniques.

Main Results:

  • Ob/ob mice displayed significantly increased NOS levels (0.016 +/- 0.001 nmol/mg/min) compared to ob/c mice (0.009 +/- 0.001 nmol/mg/min, p < 0.01).
  • NOS mRNA levels were also elevated in ob/ob mice (32.0 +/- 5.0 pg/mg total RNA) relative to ob/c mice (12.4 +/- 4.0 pg/mg total RNA, p < 0.05).

Conclusions:

  • The hypothalamus of obese mice shows increased nitric oxide synthase (NOS) expression and activity.
  • These findings support a role for nitric oxide in the regulation of appetite and the development of obesity.

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