Fig. 5From: Nociceptin/orphanin FQ modulates energy homeostasis through inhibition of neurotransmission at VMN SF-1/ARC POMC synapses in a sex- and diet-dependent mannerLong-term HFD exposure accentuates the N/OFQ-induced reduction in glutamatergic input at VMN SF-1/ARC POMC synapses in NR5A1-Cre mice. The membrane current traces on the left represent baseline leEPSCs before N/OFQ application, while the ones on the right were obtained in the presence of N/OFQ. The dietary modification of the N/OFQ-induced decrease in leEPSC amplitude can be seen in slices taken from a normal chow intact male (a; n = 8) and a HFD-fed intact male (b; n = 14), where the degree of the N/OFQ-induced decrease in leEPSC amplitude is significantly greater. The composite bar graph in c further illustrates the alterations of the N/OFQ-induced decrease in excitatory neurotransmission emanating from the dorsomedial VMN onto ARC POMC neurons caused by the HFD. Bars represent means, and vertical lines 1 SEM. *p < 0.05; Mann-Whitney U testBack to article page