ERK1/2 in the brain mediates the effects of central resistin on reducing thermogenesis in brown adipose tissue

We investigated the role of ERK1/2 in the brain on the effects of centrally administered resistin on thermogenesis. Resistin (7 μg) into anaesthetized rats significantly decreased brown adipose tissue temperature by 1.0 ± 0.4 °C (P < 0.005). This response was significantly attenuated by over 60% when ERK1/2 was inhibited by U0126 (7 μg) (P < 0.05). Resistin reduced uncoupling protein-1 mRNA expression (0.11 ± 0.01 vs 1.24 ± 0.85 resistin vs control respectively) and the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma co-activator 1-α, but the effects were not statistically significant. The results suggest that ERK1/2 in the brain contributes to resistin's effects on thermogenesis.