CC by 37%, compared to DIO rats at rest and the i.c.v. pretreatment with anti-IL6 antibody before the exercise protocol, reversed the suppressive effects of leptin on AMPK/ACC pathway in the hypothalamus of exercised DIO rats. The AMPK and ACC protein levels did not differ between the groups. In addition, p70S6K and 4EBP1 phosphorylation in the hypothalamus of DIO rats after i.c.v. leptin infusion was reduced by about 46% and 45%, HA-130 respectively, when compared to the control group. In exercised DIO animals, leptin increased the phosphorylation of p70S6K by 62% and 4EBP1 by 59%, compared to DIO rats at rest. I.c.v. pretreatment with anti-IL6 antibody before the exercise protocol blocked these effects in the hypothalamus of exercised DIO rats. The p70S6K and 4EBP1 protein levels were not different between the groups. phosphorylation, although at this dose, AICAR was not sufficient to induce significant an increase in food intake in exercised animals. Comparing exercised animals, i.c.v. administration of leptin to rats pretreated with AICAR increased both AMPK and ACC phosphorylation levels in the hypothalamus. The i.c.v. administration of leptin to exercised rats pretreated with vehicle induced p70S6K and 4EBP1 phosphorylation in the hypothalamus of 60% and 70%, respectively, compared with the control group. Comparing exercised animals, i.c.v. administration of leptin to rats pretreated with AICAR reduced both p70S6K and 4EBP1 phosphorylation levels in the hypothalamus. Exercised animals pretreated with Rapamycin also reduced hypothalamic p70S6K and 4EBP1 phosphorylation. The aAMPK, ACC, p70S6K and 4EBP1 protein levels were not different between the groups. Discussion During the last decade, a substantial number of studies have investigated the role of physical activity in the control of energy intake in rodents and in humans. However, the molecular mechanisms by which exercise controls food intake are still unsolved. Several experimental studies have demonstrated that neither acute nor chronic exercise per se change food intake, on the other hand, accumulating evidence shows that both acute and chronic exercise potentiate the anorexigenic effects of leptin in the hypothalamus. Our data indicate that IL-6 signaling through AMPK and mTOR 10980276 reduces food intake in a dosedependent manner. Leptin, as well as a-LA infusion, reduced food intake in exercised rats to a greater extent than that observed in control animals. Conversely, AICAR, 2-DG and fasting increased food intake in exercised rats to a lower extent than that observed in control animals. Exercise was associated with the effects of leptin on the AMPK/mTOR pathway activity in the hypothalamus. In addition, we investigated the regulatory role of IL-6 in mediating the increase in leptin responsiveness in the hypothalamus. Treatment with leptin markedly reduced food intake, AMPK activity and increased mTOR activity in exercised rats that were pretreated with vehicle, although no increase in response to leptininduced anorexia and modulation of AMPK/mTOR pathway were detected after i.c.v. pretreatment with anti-IL-6 antibody. Taken together, these results suggest that IL-6 is a major component of the effects of exercise on 15771452 the control of 
food intake. Increasing evidence shows that leptin and IL-6 activates AMPK in the peripheral tissues, such as skeletal muscle and adipose tissue, increasing fatty acid oxidation and glucose uptake in these tissues, however, leptin has an opposing effect in hyp
