Expression data from hypothalamic samples of WT mice fed normal diet vs high fat diet

The consumption of a 60% high fat diet leads to increased body weight and the development of the metabolic syndrome. We analyzed hypothalamic samples of WT mice as it has been previously shown that the hypothalamus plays a crucial role in the regulation of energy homeostasis. We used microarrays to detail the global programme of gene expression affected by the consumption of a high fat diet specifically in the hypothalamus of WT mice. Young adult WT mice fed either normal chow or a high fat diet were sacrificed and hypothalamic samples were isolated. RNA extraction and hybridization on Affymetrix microarrays was performed. We sought to compare the effects of the consumption of a high fat diet versus normal chow on the hypothalamus. We decided to compare either a short exposure to high fat diet (4 wks) or long exposure (8 wks) to mice fed a normal chow.