Increased expression of leptin precedes abnormal gain of weight in Nscl-2 mutant mice.

<p>(A) Significant differences in the body weight of WT and Nscl-2 (−/−) mice occur only post-puberty after 12–15 weeks of age (lower two graphs). Nscl-2 (−/−)×ob/ob and ob/ob mutant mice show a similar increase of body weight during postnatal growth (upper two graphs). (B) Body weight of 6–8 month old Nscl-2 (−/−), Nscl-2 (−/−)×ob/ob, ob/ob, and wild type male mice (F = 53.33; dF = 3; p<10⁻⁴). (C) Serum leptin levels are massively elevated in Nscl-2 (−/−) mice at 2, 4 and 6 month (F = 11.91; dF = 7; p<0.001). Note that the increase of serum levels of leptin in Nscl-2 mutant mice precedes the abnormal gain of weight. (D) Serum adiponectin levels are elevated in Nscl-2 (−/−) mice at 2, and 4 month compared to wildtype control animals (F = 13.53; dF = 7; p<0.0001).