Brain apoA-IV Mediates Estrogenic Reduction of Dietary Obesity in Female Rats

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DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): There is a fundamental gap in understanding the mechanism(s) by which estrogens potently inhibit food intake and reduce body weight in many species, including humans. This gap represents an important problem because unless it is closed, it is unlikely that estrogenic intermediaries and pathways can be targeted as a means of obesity prevention and treatment in women with impaired estrogen signaling. Compelling evidence suggests that E2 exerts its anorexigenic action through an indirect mechanism; i.e., that E2 increases the strength of other physiological signals that reduce meal size. Apolipoprotein A-IV (apoA-IV), an important satiation factor, is a compelling candidate in this regard. The objective of this proposal is to identify the mechanisms through which E2 stimulates apoA-IV gene expression in the NTS and to determine how this effect becomes impaired in female rats by chronic high-fat diet (HFD) consumption. The central hypothesis is that E2 normally stimulates apoA-IV gene expression in the NTS and that this effect is impaired by chronic consumption of a HFD, leading to increased food intake and the development of dietary obesity. This hypothesis is based on our preliminary data in HFD-induced obese ovariectomized (OVX) rats. The rationale for the proposed research is that once the particular mechanisms as to how E2 stimulates apoA-IV gene expression and how such effect of E2 is altered by chronic consumption of a HFD are understood, the key component(s) of estrogen signaling could be manipulated pharmacologically, leading to innovative targets to the prevention and treatment of dietary obesity in women. Guided by strong preliminary data, we propose testing this hypothesis by pursuing three specific aims. First, to identify estrogen receptor and DNA response elements that mediate E2's effect on apoA-IV gene expression. Second, to determine whether E2's reduced effect on apoA-IV gene expression contributes to the development of dietary obesity, and whether this can be circumvented by administration of apoA-IV. Third, to determine the mechanism of impaired estrogen signaling in HFD-induced obese female rats. The proposed research is innovative because it translates basic research discovery to a pre-clinical model designed to identify novel treatment targets. This approach represents a substantial departure from the status quo, and is expected to result in an efficacious therapy of obesity in women. This application is significant because it is expected to advance the understanding of how estrogens regulate energy homeostasis in normal female rats, and how such effect is impaired when the animals are fed a HF diet. Ultimately, such knowledge will facilitate the development of preventive and therapeutic interventions to address the epidemic of obesity and, consequently, to improve quality of life for many afflicted individuals and to decrease health care costs in the United States.