Pinealectomy increases thermogenesis and decreases lipogenesis

This study was designed to determine the effects of pineal gland-derived melatonin on obesity by employing rat pinealectomy (Pnx) model. After 10 weeks of high-fat diet (HFD) feeding, rats received sham or Pnx surgery followed by 10 weeks normal chow diet (NCD) feeding. Pnx decreased expressions of melatonin receptors, MTNR1A and MTNR1B, in brown (BAT) and white adipose tissues (WAT). Pnx rats showed increased insulin sensitivity compared with those that received sham surgery. Leptin levels were significantly decreased in the serum of Pnx group. In addition, Pnx stimulated thermogenic genes in BAT whereas attenuated lipogenic genes in WAT and the liver. Histologic analyses revealed marked decreased in the size of lipid droplets and increased expressions of UCP1 in BAT and attenuated lipid droplets in the sized and the number in the liver of Pnx group. In conclusion, these results in the current study suggest that Pnx increases thermogenesis in BAT and decreases lipogenesis in WAT and the liver.