Research articleThe effects of intracerebroventricular infusion of irisin on feeding behaviour in rats

•Irisin infusion increased food intake in rats.•After the irisin infusion, the body weight of rats did not change.•Irisin infusion decreased the serum leptin level, but the ghrelin level increased.•Irisin could affects the nutrition behavior and energy metabolism.

Irisin, a novel exercise-induced myokine, has attracted attention with its effects on energy metabolism. This study was conducted to determine the possible effects of irisin on nutritional behaviour.In this study, 40 male Wistar Albino rats were separated into 4 groups (n = 10 for each group). Osmotic mini-pumps were connected to metal cannulas implanted to lateral ventricle; and artificial cerebrospinal fluid (vehicle), and 10 and 100 nM of irisin was infused for 7 days. The daily food and water consumptions and body weights of rats were followed up. After the infusion, the animals were killed, and the hypothalamus and blood samples were collected. NPY, POMC, and UCP2 mRNA levels in the hypothalamus were examined by RT-PCR. In serum, leptin and ghrelin levels as well as the levels of metabolic parameters were measured by using ELISA.It was determined that irisin administration increased the daily food consumption (p < 0.05), without causing significant changes in water consumption and body weight. Irisin also caused increases in ghrelin level in circulation and NPY and UCP2 mRNA levels in the hypothalamus, whereas it decreased the leptin level in circulation and POMC mRNA levels in the hypothalamus (p < 0.05). Otherwise, irisin caused decrease in LDL, triglycerides and cholesterol levels, while increasing HDL and glucose levels (p < 0.05).Results indicates that long-term irisin treatment increases food intake without increasing body weight associated with increased ghrelin, NPY and UCP2 mRNAs, and decreased leptin and POMC mRNA in the hypothalamus.