Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42455406›Full record

ArticleEndocrine2026

AgRP reflects glucocorticoid action: integrated experimental and clinical evidence.

Natsuki Aoyama, Mitsuru Nishiyama, Yasumasa Iwasaki, Shuichi Nakayama, Mizuho Okazaki, Takafumi Taguchi, Masayuki Tsuda, Koshi Hashimoto, Shinya Makino, Shimpei Fujimoto

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Endocrine, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Natsuki AoyamaDepartment of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Nephrology, Kochi Medical School, Kochi University, 1-185, Kohasu, Oko-cho, Nankoku, 783-8505, Kochi, Japan.
Mitsuru NishiyamaDepartment of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Nephrology, Kochi Medical School, Kochi University, 1-185, Kohasu, Oko-cho, Nankoku, 783-8505, Kochi, Japan. 326nishiyama@gmail.com.ORCID 0000-0003-4417-7476
Yasumasa IwasakiDepartment of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Nephrology, Kochi Medical School, Kochi University, 1-185, Kohasu, Oko-cho, Nankoku, 783-8505, Kochi, Japan.
Shuichi NakayamaDepartment of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Nephrology, Kochi Medical School, Kochi University, 1-185, Kohasu, Oko-cho, Nankoku, 783-8505, Kochi, Japan.
Mizuho OkazakiDepartment of Clinical Laboratory, Kochi Medical School, Kochi University, 1- 185, Kohasu, Oko-cho, Nankoku, 783-8505, Kochi, Japan.
Takafumi TaguchiDepartment of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Nephrology, Kochi Medical School, Kochi University, 1-185, Kohasu, Oko-cho, Nankoku, 783-8505, Kochi, Japan.
Masayuki TsudaDepartment of Laboratory Animal Science, Kochi Medical School, Kochi University, 1-185, Kohasu, Oko-cho, Nankoku, 783-8505, Kochi, Japan.
Koshi HashimotoDepartment of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Hematology, Dokkyo Medical University Saitama Medical Center, 2-1-50 Minami-Koshigaya, Koshigaya, 343-8555, Saitama, Japan.
Shinya MakinoDepartment of Internal Medicine, Osaka Gyomeikan hospital, 5-4-8, Nishikujo, Konohana-ku, Osaka, 554-0012, Osaka, Japan.
Shimpei FujimotoDepartment of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Nephrology, Kochi Medical School, Kochi University, 1-185, Kohasu, Oko-cho, Nankoku, 783-8505, Kochi, Japan.

Funding

Japan Society for the Promotion of Science 17K09884
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeGlucocorticoids (GCs) are key regulators of energy homeostasis. Clinically, patients with Cushing's syndrome exhibit obesity, whereas adrenal insufficiency is associated with weight loss. However, circulating biomarkers reflecting GC action have not been established. Agouti-related protein (AgRP), an orexigenic neuropeptide, is upregulated by GC in the rodent hypothalamus. Here, we investigated whether AgRP is a surrogate marker of GC action through in vitro and in vivo experiments as well as a clinical study.

methodsThe GC-dependent transcriptional regulation of AgRP was examined using reporter assays in neuronal BE(2)C cells. In animal experiments, the effects of GC on hypothalamic AgRP mRNA expression in C57BL/6J mice were examined. Circulating AgRP levels were also analyzed in nine patients with adrenal Cushing's syndrome before and after surgery.

resultsTwo functional glucocorticoid-responsive elements (GREs) were identified in the human AgRP gene promoter, through which GC enhanced AgRP transcriptional activity. In mice, corticosterone (CORT) administration induced hyperphagia and increased hypothalamic AgRP mRNA levels, which positively correlated with plasma CORT levels. In patients with adrenal Cushing's syndrome, circulating AgRP levels significantly decreased after surgery (118.7 ± 40.3 vs. 37.7 ± 9.5 pg/mL, p < 0.01) and positively correlated with serum cortisol levels (r = 0.79, p < 0.01).

conclusionThese findings demonstrate that GC positively regulates AgRP across molecular, animal, and clinical settings, supporting the hypothesis that circulating AgRP may serve as a surrogate indicator of GC action. Further studies are warranted to establish its clinical applicability.

Indexed as

Agouti-Related ProteinCushing SyndromeGlucocorticoidsHypothalamusAdultAnimalsCorticosteroneFemaleHumansMaleMiceMice, Inbred C57BLMiddle AgedPromoter Regions, GeneticResponse ElementsRNA, MessengerAgouti-Related ProteinAGRP protein, humanCorticosteroneGlucocorticoidsRNA, MessengerAdrenal insufficiencyAgouti-related protein (AgRP)Cushing’s syndromeGlucocorticoid (GC)Glucocorticoid receptor (GR)

Identifiers

PMID42455406
PMCPMC13372879

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.