Fig. 1.

Inhibition of DNMTs by 5-aza-dC attenuates the preference for an HFD through augmentation of D2Rs in the striatum of HFD-fed mice. DNA methylation levels in the promoter region of D2R in the striatum (n = 3) (a) and hypothalamus (n = 3) (f). Levels of mRNA for Drd2 (b, g), Drd1 (c, h), Th (d, i) and Slc6a3 (DAT) (e, j) in the striatum (n = 8) (b–e) and hypothalamus (n = 8) (g–j) of 5-aza-dC (Aza)-treated HFD-fed mice. Levels were normalised to those of Rn18s. Protein levels of D2R (k,l) and TH (k,m) in the hypothalamus (Hypo) and striatum (St) of 5-aza-dC-treated HFD-fed mice (n = 8); insets show values for hypothalamus plotted on a different scale. Protein levels were determined by western blotting. Values were normalised to those of β-actin. HFD preference (n) and body weight (o) in 5-aza-dC-treated mice during chow vs HFD choice tests (n = 4 cages; three mice per cage). Black circles, vehicle (Veh); grey circles, 5-aza-dC. Data are expressed as mean ± SEM. *p < 0.05, vs chow-fed mice; ^† p < 0.05, ^†† p < 0.01 vs vehicle-treated HFD-fed mice