RESUMEN
AIM: Cerebellin1 (Cbln1) is highly expressed in the hypothalamus, a region of the brain involved in appetite regulation. However, the effects of Cbn1 on food intake are not known. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of Cbln1 on appetite regulation in rats. METHODS: We determined the effect of (i) intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection of Cbln1 on food intake, behaviour and plasma pituitary hormone levels in male Wistar rats; (ii) Cbln1 on the release of hypothalamic neuropeptides known to modulate food intake from hypothalamic explants and (iii) fasting on hypothalamic Cbln1 mRNA expression. RESULTS: (i) ICV administration of Cbln1 significantly increased food intake in rats and caused no adverse behaviours. ICV administration of Cbln1 significantly reduced plasma thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels 10 min postinjection in rats. (ii) Cbln1 significantly increased the release of neuropeptide Y (NPY) from hypothalamic explants. (iii) Cbln1 mRNA expression levels were increased in the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus in fasted rats. CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that Cbln1 is a novel orexigenic peptide, which may mediate its effects via hypothalamic NPY.