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Differential Regulation of Leptin Synthesis in Rats during Short-Term Hypoxia and Short-Term Carbon Monoxide Inhalation

Department of Pediatrics, University Erlangen-Nürnberg (U.M., C.H., I.Ö., I.K., I.A., W.R., J.D.), 91054 Erlangen, Germany; Institute for Physiology, University Regensburg (K.-H.H.), 93040 Regensburg, Germany; Eli Lilly & Co. (W.F.B.), 61350 Bad Homburg, Germany; and Department of Pediatrics (W.F.B.), Justus Liebig University, 35390 Giessen, Germany

Address all correspondence and requests for reprints to: Dr. Udo Meißner, Department of Pediatrics, University of Erlangen-Nurnberg, Loschgestrasse 15, 91054 Erlangen, Germany. E-mail: udo.meissner{at}kinder.imed.uni-erlangen.de.

Leptin is a circulating hormone that is secreted primarily by adipose tissue. However, recent studies have demonstrated leptin production by other tissues, including placenta, stomach, kidney, liver, and lung, a process not only activated by stimuli such as insulin or corticosteroids, but also by hypoxia, which is mediated by the hypoxia inducible factor-1. In contrast to this fact, smokers have lower plasma leptin levels. The purpose of this study was to determine whether tissue hypoxygenation [induced by lack of oxygen] or inhalation of carbon monoxide (CO) are sufficient to up-regulate leptin in fat cells as well as in peripheral organs such as lung, liver, and kidney of rats. In hypoxic rats, leptin expression was unchanged or even reduced in adipose tissue. In contrast, in liver, kidney, and lung we observed an increase in leptin expression compared with normoxic controls, whereas plasma levels were unchanged. When animals were exposed to CO, generating a functional anemia known to activate the HIF-1-dependent transcription, a significant decrease in leptin gene expression in adipose tissue and in all organs tested was observed. Plasma leptin concentrations after CO exposure were significantly diminished compared with those in control animals. These findings suggest that tissue hypoxygenation up-regulates leptin expression in nonadipose tissue. However, this is not sufficient to raise plasma leptin levels in rats. Inhalation of CO leads to a significant decrease in leptin mRNA and protein concentration in the plasma of the animals, suggesting a negative effect of CO on leptin transcription.

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