A β3-Adrenergic-Leptin-Melanocortin Circuit Regulates Behavioral and Metabolic Changes Induced by Chronic Stress

Jen Chieh Chuang, Vaishnav Krishnan, Hana G. Yu, Brittany Mason, Huixing Cui, Matthew B. Wilkinson, Jeffrey M. Zigman, Joel K. Elmquist, Eric J. Nestler, Michael Lutter

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

93 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Obesity has been associated with an increased risk of developing several psychiatric illnesses, including major depression and posttraumatic stress disorder. Likewise, these stress-related disturbances are associated with a higher rate of obesity; yet, the neurobiological mechanisms linking obesity and stress remain incompletely understood. Methods: Following exposure to chronic social defeat stress (CSDS), mice were given free access to either regular chow or a Western-style diet high in triglycerides and cholesterol. Comprehensive metabolic and behavioral testing was then conducted. Results: Mice subjected to CSDS and then fed a high-fat diet for 30 days display severe behavioral deficits accompanied by redistribution of body fat. Stressed mice have decreased adipose tissue as well as decreased serum leptin levels compared with control mice. Pharmacological inhibition of β3-adrenergic signaling during CSDS normalizes these metabolic abnormalities but worsens behavioral symptoms. Furthermore, mice subjected to CSDS display central leptin resistance including reduced expression of pro-opiomelanocortin in hypothalamus. Administration of a central melanocortin agonist worsens stress-induced behavioral deficits, while mice lacking the melanocortin-4 receptor display attenuated symptoms. Conclusions: These results indicate that chronic signaling through β3-adrenergic receptors during social stress is an adaptive response that improves behavioral function. However, these responses come at the expense of central leptin resistance and melanocortin signaling alterations that contribute to significant and long-lasting metabolic abnormalities.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1075-1082
Number of pages8
JournalBiological Psychiatry
Volume67
Issue number11
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 1 2010

Keywords

  • Anxiety
  • depression
  • feeding
  • hypothalamus
  • leptin
  • metabolism

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biological Psychiatry

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