Leptin-deficient Ob/Ob mice are hypometabolic and have reduced fat cell expression of beta-3 adrenoceptors (ARs). To determine whether leptin repletion restores beta-3 AR number, C57BL/6J Ob/Ob mice were given exogenous leptin (5 mg/kg IP daily) for 21 days. Leptin administration reduced body weight from 43.1 ±3.7 to 34.1 ±3.7 g in Ob/Ob animals but had no effect on weight in wildtype animals. Body weight increased by 12% in Ob/Ob mice receiving saline. Beta-3 AR mRNA concentrations were markedly reduced in Ob/Ob animals at baseline. Leptin increased beta-3 AR mRNA to control levels in Ob/Ob mice, but had no effect in wildtype animals. Adipocyte leptin mRNA was increased by 400% in Ob/Ob mice and did not suppress with exogenous leptin administration, suggesting no direct feedback regulation of leptin synthesis. We speculate that restoration of beta-3 AR expression by repleting leptin may be important in correcting hypometabolism in Ob/Ob animals.
