Figure 2: Nrg4 gene transfer prevented high fat diet-induced weight gain.

Eight-week-old C57BL/6 male mice were hydrodynamically injected via tail vein of 20 μg of pLIVE-NRG4 or pLIVE-SEAP control plasmid DNA (on days 1 and 28) and fed an HFD for 9 weeks. At the end of the experiment, total RNA was extracted from liver, EWAT, SubWAT, BAT, pancreatic tissues, and the relative mRNA levels of Nrg4 gene were determined by real-time or regular PCR. (a) Body weight-time curve; (b) Fat mass and lean mass at the end of 9-week feeding; (c) Representative images of mice at the end of the experiment; (d) Average food intake; (e) Detection of Nrg4 gene in the liver by regular PCR; and (f) Nrg4 mRNA level in different tissues determined by real time PCR. Each data point represents the mean ± SD of 5 animals. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01 compared to control animals injected with pLIVE-SEAP plasmid DNA.