Catecholamine neurons in Obesity

Anti-DBH-SAP, Cat. #IT-03
[Dopamine Beta Hydroxylase antibody conjugated to Saporin]

Objective: To investigate the role of hindbrain catecholamine neuron pathways and their contribution to long-term energy homeostasis by controlling obesogenic sensitivity to a high-fat, high sucrose choice diet.

Summary: The authors show that catecholamine neurons (primarily in the VLM and NTS) convey essential feedback signals to enable long-term adaptive control of energy metabolism when animals consume a predominantly carbohydrate diet. This is the first report specifically associating this projection system with the long-term control of adiposity.

Methods: (Cat. #KIT-03; Anti-DBH-SAP and IT-18; Mouse IgG-SAP)

Catecholaminergic projections to the PVH and related parts of the forebrain were lesioned with bilateral injections each consisting of 42 ng/200 nL of Anti-DBH-SAP or equimolar amounts of control Mouse IgG-SAP.)

Lee SJ, Jokiaho AJ, Sanchez-Watts G, & Watts AG. Catecholaminergic Projections into an Interconnected Forebrain Network Control the Sensitivity of Male Rats to Diet-Induced Obesity. (2018). American Journal of Physiology-Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology

Also See: Patrone LGA, Biancardi V, Marques DA, Bicego KC, & Gargaglioni LHA-Ohoo. Brainstem Catecholaminergic Neurones and Breathing Control During Postnatal Development in Male and Female Rats. Accepted Article; doi: 10.1113/JP275731 (2018).


Anti-DBH-SAP (Cat. #KIT-03) specifically targets cells that express DBH. This vesicular enzyme is exposed to the exterior milieu upon release of noradrenaline and thus allows these cells to be targeted with saporin. The specificity of Anti-DBH-SAP correlates well with uptake of the antibody when injected intraventricularly. After systemic administration, animals have a massive reduction in plasma norepinephrine levels, indicating efficient targeting and sympathectomy. Unlike other lesioning methods, this molecular lesioning agent assures definitive ablation of the target neurons expressing rat DBH. Permanent and selective removal of cerebral noradrenergic innervation makes an important animal model for the study of drug effects (anti-hypertensives, opiates, stimulants, etc.), behavior (fear, depression, food intake), plasticity of other systems in response to loss, and primary autonomic failure.

This kit includes Anti-DBH-SAP (Cat. #IT-03) plus Mouse IgG-SAP (Cat. #IT-18).

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