The effect of diet interventions on hypothalamic nutrient sensing pathways in rodents

Merel Rijnsburger, Evita Belegri, Leslie Eggels, Unga A Unmehopa, Anita Boelen, Mireille J Serlie, Susanne E la Fleur

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articleAcademicpeer-review

6 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The hypothalamus plays a fundamental role in regulating homeostatic processes including regulation of food intake. Food intake is driven in part by energy balance, which is sensed by specific brain structures through signaling molecules such as nutrients and hormones. Both circulating glucose and fatty acids decrease food intake via a central mechanism involving the hypothalamus and brain stem. Besides playing a role in signaling energy status, glucose and fatty acids serve as fuel for neurons. This review focuses on the effects of glucose and fatty acids on hypothalamic pathways involved in regulation of energy metabolism as well as on the role of the family of peroxisome proliferator activated receptors (PPARs) which are implicated in regulation of central energy homeostasis. We further discuss the effects of different hypercaloric diets on these pathways.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)61-8
Number of pages8
JournalPhysiology and Behavior
Volume162
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Aug 2016

Keywords

  • Animals
  • Brain Stem/metabolism
  • Diet/methods
  • Eating
  • Energy Metabolism/physiology
  • Gene Expression Regulation/physiology
  • Homeostasis
  • Hypothalamus/metabolism
  • Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors/genetics
  • Rodentia
  • Signal Transduction/physiology

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