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Horm Metab Res 1995; 27(8): 363-366
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-979979
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© Georg Thieme Verlag Stuttgart · New York

Fasting Increases the Expression of Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF-2) Messenger Ribonucleic Acid in Rat Hypothalamus

K. Yoshimura1 , H. Kaji2 , S. Kamidono1 , K. Chihara2
  • 1Department of Urology and Department of Medicine, Kobe University School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
  • 2Third Division, Department of Medicine, Kobe University School of Medicine, Kobe, Japan
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Publication History

1994

1995

Publication Date:
23 April 2007 (online)

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Abstract

Basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2) has been isolated from the brain, but the regulation of FGF-2 synthesis in the brain is not yet fully understood. Since exogenously administered FGF-2 has been reported to suppress food intake as well as the secretion of gastric acid and pepsin in rats, we examined the effect of fasting on FGF-2 mRNA levels in the hypothalamus and the cerebral cortex of male rats, using RNase protection assay. Fasting for 72 h resulted in an approximately 2-fold increase in FGF-2 mRNA level in the hypothalamus but did not affect FGF-2 mRNA level in the cerebral cortex significantly. These findings support the hypothesis that FGF-2 plays a significant role in regulation of hypothalamic function.

Key words

Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor - mRNA - Hypothalamus - Cerebral Cortex - Fasting