Leptin interacts with glucagon-like peptide-1 neurons to reduce food intake and body weight in rodents

The adipose tissue hormone, leptin, and the neuropeptide glucagon-like peptide-1 (7-36) amide (GLP-1) both reduce food intake and body weight in rodents. Using dual in situ hybridization, long Isoform leptin receptor (OB-Rb) was localized to GLP-1 neurons originating in the nucleus of the solitary tract. ICV injection of the specific GLP-1 receptor antagonist, exendin(9-39), at the onset of dark phase, did not affect feeding in saline pre-treated controls, but blocked the reduction in food intake and body weight of leptin pre-treated rats. These findings suggest that GLP-1 neurons are a potential target for leptin in its control of feeding. (C) 1997 Federation of European Biochemical Societies.