Cited by 159Regulation of Appetite and ObesityNeuroscience of respiration and sleepPeroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors

Characteristics and mechanisms of hypothalamic neuronal fatty acid sensing

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Le Foll, Christelle, Irani, Boman G., Magnan, Christophe, Dunn-Meynell, Ambrose A., Levin, Barry E.·2009·American Journal of Physiology-Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology

Abstract

We assessed the mechanisms by which specialized hypothalamic ventromedial nucleus (VMN) neurons utilize both glucose and long-chain fatty acids as signaling molecules to alter their activity as a potential means of regulating energy homeostasis. Fura-2 calcium (Ca 2+) and membrane potential dye imaging, together with pharmacological agents, were used to assess the mechanisms by which oleic acid (OA) alters the activity of dissociated VMN neurons from 3- to 4-wk-old rats. OA excited up to 43% and inhibited up to 29% of all VMN neurons independently of glucose concentrations. In those neurons excited by both 2.5 mM glucose and OA, OA had a concentration-dependent effective excitatory concentration (EC 50) of 13.1 nM. Neurons inhibited by both 2.5 mM glucose and OA had an effective inhibitory concentration (IC 50) of 93 nM. At 0.5 mM glucose, OA had markedly different effects on these same neurons. Inhibition of carnitine palmitoyltransferase, reactive oxygen species formation, long-chain acetyl-CoA synthetase and ATP-sensitive K+channel activity or activation of uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) accounted for only ∼20% of OA's excitatory effects and ∼40% of its inhibitory effects. Inhibition of CD36, a fatty acid transporter that can alter cell function independently of intracellular fatty acid metabolism, reduced the effects of OA by up to 45%. Thus OA affects VMN neuronal activity through multiple pathways. In glucosensing neurons, its effects are glucose dependent. This glucose-OA interaction provides a potential mechanism whereby such “metabolic sensing” neurons can respond to differences in the metabolic states associated with fasting and feeding.

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Crossref · 10.1152/ajpregu.00223.2009

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  • Basal levels of fatty acid oxidation enzymes and fatty acid transport proteins (such as FATP-1, FATP-4, and FAT/CD36) are expressed in hypothalamic neurons.

    “However, basal levels of FAO enzymes and FA transport proteins (such as FATP-1, FATP-4, and FAT/CD36) are expressed in hypothalamic neurons ([93](#B93), [95](#B95)).”

    From Mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation in obesity (2013) · cites this paper as [95]

  • Hypothalamic neurons have the capacity to sense glucose and free fatty acids simultaneously and to integrate other nutritional and hormonal inputs.

    “and the capacity of hypothalamic neurons to sense glucose and FFA simultaneously and to integrate other nutritional and hormonal inputs ([95](#B95), [99](#B99))”

    From Mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation in obesity (2013) · cites this paper as [95]

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Authors
Le Foll, C., Irani, B. G., Magnan, C., Dunn-Meynell, A. A., & Levin, B. E.
Venue
American Journal of Physiology-Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology
Published
2009-09
Volume
297
Issue
3
Pages
R655-R664
ISSN
  • 0363-6119 (ISSN-L)
  • 1522-1490
OpenAlex
W2067285665
Cited by
159
References
57
Citations by year
2026: 4 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 7 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 7 · 2020: 6 · 2019: 6 · 2018: 3 · 2017: 15 · 2016: 13 · 2015: 15 · 2014: 18 · 2013: 17 · 2012: 9
FWCI
4.79
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • American Journal of Physiology-Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (DK 53181, R01DK053181)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Endocrine and Autonomic Systems › Regulation of Appetite and Obesity
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Endocrine and Autonomic Systems › Neuroscience of respiration and sleep
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptors
Keywords
ventromedial hypothalamus, oleic acid, fatty acid sensing, glucose detection, energy homeostasis, neuronal excitation and inhibition, CD36, fatty acid transporters, carnitine palmitoyltransferase, reactive oxygen species, ATP-sensitive potassium channels, UCP2, fasting and feeding
MeSH terms
Uncoupling Protein 2, Animals, Carnitine O-Palmitoyltransferase, Coenzyme A Ligases, Energy Metabolism, Enzyme Inhibitors, Glucose, Homeostasis, Ion Channels, Male, Membrane Potentials, Microscopy, Fluorescence, Neural Inhibition, Neurons, Time Factors, Ventromedial Hypothalamic Nucleus, Free Radical Scavengers, Rats, Sprague-Dawley, Reactive Oxygen Species, CD36 Antigens, Oleic Acid, Calcium Signaling, Mitochondrial Proteins, Potassium Channel Blockers, Rats, KATP Channels

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