Figure 4.

mRNA expression of neurogenic/neurodifferentiation markers and melacortin system-related genes in RD, HFD, and HFD + T rabbit hypothalamic samples, as evaluated by qRT-PCR. Data were calculated using the 2^−ΔΔCt comparative method, with the 18S ribosomal RNA subunit used as housekeeping gene for normalization, and they are reported as a percentage vs. RD as median ± interquartile range (n = 16 for RD, n = 15 for HFD, n = 14 for HFD + T). Statistical analysis between groups was performed with Kruskal–Wallis and post hoc Mann–Whitney nonparametric tests (* p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01 vs. RD; ° p < 0.05, °° p < 0.01, °°° p < 0.001 vs. HFD).