Leptin activates oxytocin neurons of the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus in both control and diet-induced obese rodents.

Perello M, Raingo J

PloS one18 Mar 2013Cited by 79 (Europe PMC)

PMID23527232PMCIDPMC3601091DOI10.1371/journal.pone.0059625PepBankPUB-23527232

Summary

The adipocyte-derived hormone leptin acts in the brain to reduce body weight and fat mass. Recent studies suggest that parvocellular oxytocin (OXT) neurons of the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) can mediate body weight reduction through inhibition of food intake and increased energy expenditure. However, the role of OXT neurons of the PVN as a primary target of leptin has not been investigated. Here, we studied the potential role of OXT neurons of the PVN in leptin-mediated effects on body weight regulation in fasted rats. We demonstrated that intracerebroventricular (ICV) leptin activates STAT3 phosphorylation in OXT neurons of the PVN, showed that this occurs in a subpopulation of OXT neurons that innervate the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS), and provided further evidence suggesting a role of OXT to mediate leptin's actions on body weight. In addition, our results indicated that OXT neurons are responsive to ICV leptin and mediate leptin effects on body weight in diet induced obese (DIO) rats, which are resistant to the anorectic effects of the hormone. Thus, we conclude that leptin targets a specific subpopulation of parvocellular OXT neurons of the PVN, and that this action may be important for leptin's ability to reduce body weight in both control and obese rats.

CC BYText from Europe PMC. Highlighted sentences are the source of results.

Results from this study3

No result from this study comes from a test of the peptide.

Studies that did not test the peptide alone3

In this study, Oxytocin was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. These results are not evidence about taking Oxytocin.

01AnimalNot a test of Oxytocin aloneAnimal study (in vivo)Mechanism
In fasted rats, intracerebroventricular leptin activated STAT3 phosphorylation in oxytocin neurons of the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus.
In plain wordsIn rats, leptin given into the brain switched on a signalling step in oxytocin-producing brain cells. Leptin was the treatment, not oxytocin.
Peptide
Oxytocin
Outcome
IncreaseSTAT3 phosphorylation in PVN oxytocin neurons after ICV leptin
Study
ratn: not reported in source
Fasted rats; diet-induced obese rats
Outcome group
Receptor activity and mechanism · Metabolic and weight
Source sentences
Summary
We demonstrated that intracerebroventricular (ICV) leptin activates STAT3 phosphorylation in OXT neurons of the PVN, showed that this occurs in a subpopulation of OXT neurons that innervate the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS), and provided further evidence suggesting a role of OXT to mediate leptin's actions on body weight.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Here, we studied the potential role of OXT neurons of the PVN in leptin-mediated effects on body weight regulation in fasted rats.
In this study, Oxytocin was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking Oxytocin.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2352723201
02AnimalNot a test of Oxytocin aloneAnimal study (in vivo)Mechanism
In rats, leptin-induced STAT3 activation occurred in a subpopulation of paraventricular oxytocin neurons that innervate the nucleus of the solitary tract.
In plain wordsIn rats, leptin acted on a subset of oxytocin brain cells that connect to the brainstem. Leptin was the treatment.
Peptide
Oxytocin
Outcome
Not applicableLeptin-responsive PVN oxytocin neurons projecting to the NTS
Study
ratn: not reported in source
Fasted rats; diet-induced obese rats
Outcome group
Receptor activity and mechanism · Metabolic and weight
Source sentences
Summary
showed that this occurs in a subpopulation of OXT neurons that innervate the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS), and provided further evidence suggesting a role of OXT to mediate leptin's actions on body weight.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Here, we studied the potential role of OXT neurons of the PVN in leptin-mediated effects on body weight regulation in fasted rats.
In this study, Oxytocin was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking Oxytocin.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2352723202
03AnimalNot a test of Oxytocin aloneAnimal study (in vivo)Mechanism
In diet-induced obese rats, which resist the anorectic effects of leptin, oxytocin neurons responded to intracerebroventricular leptin and were reported to mediate its effects on body weight.
In plain wordsIn obese rats, oxytocin brain cells responded to leptin and appeared to help carry leptin's body weight effect. Leptin was the treatment.
Peptide
Oxytocin
Outcome
IncreaseOxytocin neuron responsiveness to leptin in diet-induced obese rats
Study
ratn: not reported in source
Fasted rats; diet-induced obese rats
Outcome group
Body weight · Metabolic and weight
Source sentences
Summary
In addition, our results indicated that OXT neurons are responsive to ICV leptin and mediate leptin effects on body weight in diet induced obese (DIO) rats, which are resistant to the anorectic effects of the hormone.
1 context sentence(design, population, supporting numbers)
Summary · context
Here, we studied the potential role of OXT neurons of the PVN in leptin-mediated effects on body weight regulation in fasted rats.
In this study, Oxytocin was a lab tool or a carrier, part of a mix, or the subject of a lab method. This result is not evidence about taking Oxytocin.
Show in the study text Report a problemFND-2352723203

AI wrote and checked these results. AI can make mistakes, so check important results against the source.

Version history

PepBank keeps every version of the data on this study. Status changes from Retraction Watch, Europe PMC and Crossref are listed with their source.

Version 2Current
11 Oct 2026, 01:30 UTC
Study results updated
Version 1
9 Oct 2026, 02:50 UTC
First added · source update from Europe PMC

Subjects

Terms as the source lists them.

PepBank is a research reference. Talk to a doctor before you use any peptide.