A combination of dietary fat intake and nicotine exposure enhances CB1 endocannabinoid receptor expression in hypothalamic nuclei in male mice.

Background: Cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1R) is a GPCR expressed widely in the brain as well as in peripheral metabolic organs. Although pharmacological blockade of CB1R has been effective for the treatment of obesity and tobacco addiction, precise distribution of CB1R within the brain and potential changes by obesity or nicotine exposure have not been thoroughly addressed.

Methods: To examine CB1R distribution within the central energy center, we performed immunostaining and qPCR analysis of micro-dissected hypothalamic nuclei from male C57BL/6 mice.

Evidence for organic cation transporter-mediated metformin transport and 5'-adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase activation in rat skeletal muscles.

Objective: 5'-Adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a key molecule of metabolic enhancement in skeletal muscle. We investigated whether metformin (MET) acts directly on skeletal muscle, is transported into skeletal muscle via organic cation transporters (OCTs), and activates AMPK.

Materials/methods: Isolated rat epitrochlearis and soleus muscles were incubated in vitro either in the absence or in the presence of MET.