The role of the sympathetic nervous system in the regulation of leptin synthesis in C57BL/6 mice

The objectives of this study were to determine whether leptin synthesis is regulated by the sympathetic nervous system and if so whether β-adrenergic receptors mediate this effect. We show that sympathetic blockade by reserpine increases leptin mRNA levels in brown but not white adipose tissue, while acute cold-exposure decreases leptin expression 10-fold in brown adipose tissue and 2-fold in white adipose tissue. The cold-induced reduction in leptin mRNA can be prevented by a combination of propranolol and SR 59230A but not by either antagonist alone, indicating that β₃-adrenergic receptors and classical β₁/β₂-adrenergic receptors both mediate responses to sympathetic stimulation. Circulating leptin levels reflect synthesis in white adipose tissue but not in brown adipose tissue. Copyright (C) 1999 Federation of European Biochemical Societies.