Nesfatin-1 stimulates renal sympathetic nerve activity in rats.

Earlier examination reported that central injection of nesfatin-1 elevated blood pressure and suppressed food intake in conscious rats. In this study, we analyzed the effects of the intracerebroventricular injection of nesfatin-1 on the sympathetic nerve outflow to the kidney in urethane-anesthetized rats. An intracerebroventricular injection of nesfatin-1 significantly stimulated renal sympathetic nerve activity and blood pressure in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, we examined the role of the melanocortin system on the sympathoexcitation caused by the nesfatin-1 injection. Pretreatment with the melanocortin-3/4 receptor antagonist, SHU9119, abolished the increase in nerve activity and blood pressure induced by nesfatin-1. Thus, the stimulating effects of nesfatin-1 administration on the sympathetic nerve activity of the kidney may depend on the central melanocortin system.