This finding may be consistent with reports from rat studies where increased hypothalamic glucocorticoid was associated with decreased POMC mRNA expression (39, 40) and also obesity (41), whereas increased hypothalamic POMC mRNA expression following adrenalectomy in the rat led to increased hypophagic response to endotoxemia (42). The gene discussed is POMC; the disease is obesity due to melanocortin 4 receptor deficiency.