Strain differences in hypothalamic pituitary adrenocortical axis function and adipogenic effects of corticosterone in rats.

N. Marissal-Arvy, A. Gaumont, A. Langlois, F. Dabertrand, M. Bouchecareilh, C. Tridon, P. Mormede
Journal of Endocrinology. 2007-12-01; 195(3): 473-484
DOI: 10.1677/joe-07-0077

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1. J Endocrinol. 2007 Dec;195(3):473-84.

Strain differences in hypothalamic pituitary adrenocortical axis function and
adipogenic effects of corticosterone in rats.

Marissal-Arvy N(1), Gaumont A, Langlois A, Dabertrand F, Bouchecareilh M, Tridon
C, Mormede P.

Author information:
(1)Laboratoire PsyNuGen, INRA UMR1286, CNRS UMR5226, Université de Bordeaux 2,
146 rue Léo-Saignat, F-33076 Bordeaux, France.

Our aim was to explore the nutritional consequences of functional variations in
the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenocortical (HPA) axis in rats. We first aimed to
compare the HPA axis activity and reactivity to stress between Fischer 344 (F344)
and LOU/C (LOU) strains that differ in food behavior and metabolism. When
compared with F344 rats, LOU rats showed lower corticosterone (Cort) levels
across the circadian cycle and after restraint stress. Then, we compared the
effects of adrenalectomized (ADX) and Cort substitution after ADX on food intake,
body weight gain, body composition, and biochemical parameters related to
metabolism and HPA axis function between 1) the F344 rat strain, a model of HPA
axis hyperactivity and hyperreactivity to stress, and characterized by a large
fat mass; 2) the LOU strain, shown to exhibit hypoactive/hyporeactive HPA axis,
reduced fat mass, and resistance to diet-induced obesity; and 3) the Lewis (LEW)
strain, a third condition of fat deposition (high) related to HPA axis function
(low activity/reactivity). The F344 and LEW strains exhibited classical responses
to ADX and Cort. On the contrary, LOU rats showed an apparent insensitivity to
ADX. Despite the highest effects of Cort related to glucocorticoid receptor (on
thymus weight, corticotropin-releasing factor, or corticosteroid-binding
globulin), the LOU strain was insensitive to Cort effects on body weight, liver,
and abdominal fat mass. These characteristics could be involved in the leanness,
insensitivity to diet-induced obesity, and healthy aging in LOU. Our study shows
the relevance of comparing the F344, LOU, and LEW strains to cover the complexity
of interactions between metabolism and HPA axis function.

DOI: 10.1677/JOE-07-0077
PMID: 18000309 [Indexed for MEDLINE]

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