The central integration of peripheral neural signals is one mechanism by which systemic energy homeostasis is regulated. Previously, increased acute food intake following the chemical reduction of hepatic
fatty acid oxidation and
ATP levels was prevented by common hepatic branch
vagotomy (HBV). However, possible offsite actions of the chemical compounds confound the precise role of liver energy metabolism. Herein, we used a hepatocyte PGC1a heterozygous (LPGC1a) mouse model, with associated reductions in mitochondrial
fatty acid oxidation and respiratory capacity, to assess the role of liver energy metabolism in systemic energy homeostasis. LPGC1a male, but not female, mice had a 70% greater high-fat/high-
sucrose (HFHS) diet-induced
weight gain compared to wildtype (WT) mice (p < 0.05). The greater
weight gain was associated with altered feeding behavior and lower activity energy expenditure during the HFHS diet in LPGC1a males. WT and LPGC1a mice underwent
sham surgery or HBV to assess whether vagal signaling was involved in the HFHS-induced
weight gain of male LPGC1a mice. HBV increased HFHS-induced
weight gain (85%, p < 0.05) in male WT mice, but not LPGC1a mice. These data demonstrate a sex-specific role of reduced liver energy metabolism in acute diet-induced
weight gain, and the need for a more nuanced assessment of the role of vagal signaling in short-term diet-induced
weight gain.