The effects of intracerebroventricular MOTS-c infusion on the apetite mechanism in obese rats

Aim: ARC expresses NPY, AgRP, POMC and CART peptides and these peptides regulate feeding behavior with leptin and ghrelin hormones. Mitochondrial derived peptide MOTS-c was explored by Lee et al in 2005. The aim of this study was investigate the effects of MOTS-c on food intake explained with detecting NPY, AgRP, POMC and CART neuropeptides associated with leptin and ghrelin hormones. Material and Method: In this study 30-50 g in weight 40 Wistar Albino male rats were used. Developed obesity on the rats by fed ad libitum with HFD for 17 weeks and evenly separated into 4 groups (n=10). Any operation was applied on the control group, osmotic mini pumps were implanted on lateral ventricules of sham and experimental groups and supplied 120 µl (5µl/sa) infusion volume for 14 days. ACSF infusion applied on sham group and 10 µM and 100 µM MOTS-c infusion applied on experimental groups. Throughout the experimental period, rats kept in individual cages, body weight and food consumptions were daily recorded. At the end of 14 days rats were decapitated and brain tissues and blood samples were collected. POMC, CART, NPY and AgRP mRNAs detected by RT-PCR, protein levels were detected by Western Blot method. Serum leptin and ghrelin levels were determined by ELISA method from collected blood samples. Results: Applied 10 µM and 100 µM MOTS-c doses increased food intake (p<0.05) but didn't cause significant change in body weights (p>0.05). Administration of MOTS-c didn't effect AgRP and POMC peptide levels (p>0.05). Also MOTS-c increased NPY protein levels while it decreased CART protein levels (p<0.05). In addition MOTS-c decreased serum leptin levels while it increased serum ghrelin levels (p<0.05). Conclusion: However MOTS-c increases apetite it is prevent weight gain. Keywords: MOTS-c, obesity, food intake, body weight, feeding behavior