Comparison of the effect of lesions of ventromedial hypothalamus and posterodorsal amygdala on body weight and immunological parameters in albino Wistar rats

  • Venugopal Lalitha Department of Physiology, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Puducherry, India
  • Gopal Krushna Pal Department of Physiology, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Puducherry, India
  • Pravati Pal Department of Physiology, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Puducherry, India
Keywords: Body weight, Food intake, Hypothalamus, Immunity, Posterodorsal amygdala, Ventromedial

Abstract

Background and Aim: Although hypothalamic and extrahypothalamic areas are known to influence food intake (FI), body weight (BW) and immunity, the exact nature and magnitude of alteration following lesion of these areas have not adequately studied. Therefore, the present study was aimed at comparing the effect of lesions of ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH) and posterodorsal amygdala (PDA) on FI, BW gain and immunological parameters in albino Wistar rats. Methods: A total of 48 albino Wistar rats were taken for the study and were divided equally into VMH group and PDA group with 12 control and 12 experimental rats in each. Bilateral electrolytic lesion of the respective nuclei was performed by stereotaxy. The pre‑ and post‑lesion parameters of both groups were compared. Results: The percentage increase in FI and BW gain was significantly less (P < 0.001) in the experimental rats of PDA group. There was a significant difference in the percentage change in cluster of differentiation 4 (CD4) and CD8 concentration (P < 0.001) in experimental rats of PDA group compared with the experimental rats of VMH group. The percentage decrease in albumin and globulin (P < 0.001) levels and the percentage increase in albumin‑globulin ratio (P < 0.001) was significantly less in experimental rats of PDA group. Conclusion: The above‑mentioned findings suggest that the role of VMH on feeding is more pronounced than PDA, indicating that VMH has a stronger regulation of adiposity than PDA. Though VMH and PDA are involved in the regulation of immune functions, VMH has a stronger control over immune functions than PDA. Hence, VMH has greater control over adiposity, feeding behavior, and immune functions than PDA.

Published
2016-01-29
How to Cite
Lalitha, V., Pal, G. K., & Pal, P. (2016). Comparison of the effect of lesions of ventromedial hypothalamus and posterodorsal amygdala on body weight and immunological parameters in albino Wistar rats. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Physiology, 3(1), 28-33. Retrieved from https://ijcep.org/index.php/ijcep/article/view/270

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