Analysis of transgenic mice overexpressing kinin B1 receptor in neurons and its role in obesity and metabolism

Abstract

Obesity is characterized as a major problem of public health in the world. According to the World Health Organization, nearly 2 billion adults are overweight and of these, over 600 million are considered obese. Since obesity is related to the development of chronic diseases, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease, the study of factors associated with metabolism is essential. Recent results demonstrate the involvement of the kallikrein-kinin system in endocrine modulation and its importance in metabolic control through the activation of kinin B1 receptor. Studies using B1 receptor knockout mice indicated protection against obesity and glucose intolerance in treatment with high-fat diet. In models of insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome, overexpression of the B1 receptor in rat brain due to oxidative stress was demonstrated. Moreover, in others genetic models were observed the importance of insulin on the central nervous system and its role in obesity. Therefore, understanding the function of this receptor is an important tool for deepening the knowledge related to metabolic control. Thus, this work has as main objective the analysis of the kinin B1 receptor role in obesity and metabolism, using as an experimental model transgenic mice NSE-B1, which overexpress B1 receptor in brain. (AU)