Intracerebroventricular injection of leptin increases thermogenesis and mobilizes fat metabolism in ob/ob mice.

Genetically obese (ob/ob) mice display a number of metabolic alterations, including decreased thermogenesis, hyperphagia, hyperglycemia and increased body fat. A single intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection of these mice with leptin (0.01 to 1 microg) lowered food intake and body weight within 24 h. In addition, i.c.v. administration of leptin increased 22 h energy expenditure while reducing the respiratory quotient (RQ) in a dose-dependent manner. The leptin-induced decrease in RQ suggests a reduction in the fraction of total energy derived from carbohydrate oxidation and a corresponding increase in energy derived from fat oxidation. Our data suggest that leptin controls energy homeostasis through activation of receptor(s) in the central nervous system (CNS) that regulate both food intake and energy metabolism.