not shown) (8,18). Overexpression of AMPKα-CA in the VMH was accompanied by increased body weight (Fig. 6B) and food intake (Fig. 6C) in nicotine-treated rats. AMPKα-CA administration also restored expression levels of AgRP, NPY, and POMC in the ARC (Fig. 6D and E) and mRNA expression of BAT thermogenic markers (Fig. 6F). These results are in agreement with the initial observation that nicotine impairs the function of AMPK and that this is associated with decreased orexigenic signaling (AgRP and NPY) and increased anorexigenic signaling (POMC) in the hypothalamus and reduced activation of the thermogenic program in BAT.
