Brain signaling through glucagon-like peptide-1 receptors directly controls heat production in brown fat

Intracerebroventricular injection of proglucagon-derived peptides reduces body weight and increases interscapular brown adipose tissue (iBAT) thermogenesis.

• PGDP administration enhances the activity of sympathetic fibers that innervate brown adipose tissue.
• The thermogenic response requires activation of GLP-1 receptors for oxyntomodulin despite its role as a glucagon receptor agonist.
• Increased thermogenesis in wild-type mice is associated with higher expression of genes related to adrenergic signaling.
• GLP-1 receptor signaling is not necessary for normal thermogenic responses to cold exposure in GLP-1 receptor-deficient mice.
• The findings indicate that pharmacological activation of GLP-1 receptors may influence energy balance through enhanced BAT thermogenesis.

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