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. 2002 Jan;8(1):75-9.
doi: 10.1038/nm0102-75.

Interleukin-6-deficient mice develop mature-onset obesity

Ville Wallenius  1 , Kristina Wallenius, Bo Ahrén, Mats Rudling, Hans Carlsten, Suzanne L Dickson, Claes Ohlsson, John-Olov Jansson
Affiliations

Interleukin-6-deficient mice develop mature-onset obesity

Ville Wallenius et al. Nat Med. 2002 Jan.

Abstract

The immune-modulating cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) is expressed both in adipose tissue and centrally in hypothalamic nuclei that regulate body composition. We investigated the impact of loss of IL-6 on body composition in mice lacking the gene encoding IL-6 (Il6-/- mice) and found that they developed mature-onset obesity that was partly reversed by IL-6 replacement. The obese Il6-/- mice had disturbed carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, increased leptin levels and decreased responsiveness to leptin treatment. To investigate the possible mechanism and site of action of the anti-obesity effect of IL-6, we injected rats centrally and peripherally with IL-6 at low doses. Intracerebroventricular, but not intraperitoneal IL-6 treatment increased energy expenditure. In conclusion, centrally acting IL-6 exerts anti-obesity effects in rodents.

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