Ins2Akita mice exhibit hyperphagia and anxiety behavior via the melanocortin system

  • Authors:
    • Akihiro Asakawa
    • Megumi Toyoshima
    • Kayoko Inoue
    • Akio Koizumi
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: April 1, 2007     https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.19.4.649
  • Pages: 649-652
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Abstract

Elevated anxiety symptoms have been reported to be present in many patients with diabetes mellitus. The underlying mechanisms by which diabetes mellitus influences behavior remain to be determined. We assessed feeding and anxiety behaviors in spontaneously diabetic Ins2Akita mice. We measured blood glucose, body weight, and food and water intakes in C57BL/6 heterozygote Ins2Akita mice. The behavioral properties of Ins2Akita mice were assessed in an open-field test and an elevated plus-maze. The gene expression of hypothalamic neuropeptides was examined in non-food-deprived Ins2Akita mice. Body weights of the Ins2Akita mice were less than those of the age-matched C57BL/6 mice, as controls. Food and water intakes were increased in the Ins2Akita mice. In the open-field test, the Ins2Akita mice had decreased locomotor activity and increased immobilization time. The Ins2Akita mice exhibited anxiety behavior in the elevated plus-maze. RT-PCR analysis showed decreased proopiomelanocortin (POMC) mRNA expression and increased agouti-related protein (AGRP) mRNA expression in Ins2Akita mice. There were no significant differences in hypothalamic ghrelin mRNA expression. These observations indicate that Ins2Akita mice, which are characterized by hypoinsulinemia and hyperglycemia, exhibited hyperphagia and anxiety behavior; the mechanism of action involved the activation of hypothalamic AGRP and the inactivation of hypothalamic POMC. In addition, Ins2Akita mice are a useful model for understanding the mechanisms involved in the psychological complications of diabetes mellitus. Further, melanocortin systems may be therapeutic targets not only for diabetes but also for its associated complications.

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April 2007
Volume 19 Issue 4

Print ISSN: 1107-3756
Online ISSN:1791-244X

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Spandidos Publications style
Asakawa A, Toyoshima M, Inoue K and Koizumi A: Ins2Akita mice exhibit hyperphagia and anxiety behavior via the melanocortin system. Int J Mol Med 19: 649-652, 2007
APA
Asakawa, A., Toyoshima, M., Inoue, K., & Koizumi, A. (2007). Ins2Akita mice exhibit hyperphagia and anxiety behavior via the melanocortin system. International Journal of Molecular Medicine, 19, 649-652. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.19.4.649
MLA
Asakawa, A., Toyoshima, M., Inoue, K., Koizumi, A."Ins2Akita mice exhibit hyperphagia and anxiety behavior via the melanocortin system". International Journal of Molecular Medicine 19.4 (2007): 649-652.
Chicago
Asakawa, A., Toyoshima, M., Inoue, K., Koizumi, A."Ins2Akita mice exhibit hyperphagia and anxiety behavior via the melanocortin system". International Journal of Molecular Medicine 19, no. 4 (2007): 649-652. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.19.4.649