Protective effects of central leptin on whole-body energy homeostasis upon acute olanzapine exposure

Second-generation antipsychotic use is associated with severe metabolic side effects such as obesity and type 2 diabetes. Leptin is a hormone that is secreted by adipose tissue, and it acts on the brain to decrease body weight by reducing food intake and stimulating energy expenditure. Leptin also improves glucose and lipid metabolism. We examined the short-term impact of olanzapine, a commonly used second-generation antipsychotic, on the central leptin-mediated regulation of energy balance, lipid metabolism, and hypothalamic kinase activity. Male Sprague Dawley rats were given an acute intracerebroventricular (ICV, 3rd ventricle) injection of either leptin or vehicle, combined with subcutaneous olanzapine or vehicle. As expected, ICV leptin decreased food intake and importantly, olanzapine did not block this effect. Administration of leptin, olanzapine, or their combination reduced the average respiratory exchange ratio (RER) during the light cycle, which indicates that fat oxidation was increased. In the dark cycle, leptin decreased the average RER regardless of olanzapine administration, and in the presence of leptin, olanzapine did not affect the average RER. Leptin did not alter the olanzapine-induced increase in serum triglyceride concentrations. Olanzapine and central leptin treatment differentially activated hypothalamic kinases. In conclusion, regulation of food intake and fuel preference by central leptin is intact following acute olanzapine administration.