Brain Glucose-Sensing Mechanism and Energy Homeostasis
Mol Neurobiol. 2018-05-24; 56(2): 769-796
DOI: 10.1007/s12035-018-1099-4
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López-Gambero AJ(1)(2), Martínez F(1), Salazar K(1), Cifuentes M(3), Nualart F(4)(5).
Author information:
(1)Laboratory of Neurobiology and Stem Cells NeuroCellT, Department of Cellular
Biology, Center for Advanced Microscopy CMA BIO BIO, Faculty of Biological
Sciences, University of Concepcion, Concepcion, Chile.
(2)Department of Cell Biology, Genetics and Physiology, University of Malaga,
IBIMA, BIONAND, Andalusian Center for Nanomedicine and Biotechnology and
Networking Research Center on Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine,
Málaga, Spain.
(3)Department of Cell Biology, Genetics and Physiology, University of Malaga,
IBIMA, BIONAND, Andalusian Center for Nanomedicine and Biotechnology and
Networking Research Center on Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine,
Málaga, Spain. .
(4)Laboratory of Neurobiology and Stem Cells NeuroCellT, Department of Cellular
Biology, Center for Advanced Microscopy CMA BIO BIO, Faculty of Biological
Sciences, University of Concepcion, Concepcion, Chile. .
(5)Departamento de Biología Celular, Facultad de Ciencias Biológicas,
Universidad de Concepción, Casilla 160-C, Concepción, Chile. .
The metabolic and energy state of the organism depends largely on the
availability of substrates, such as glucose for ATP production, necessary for
maintaining physiological functions. Deregulation in glucose levels leads to the
appearance of pathological signs that result in failures in the cardiovascular
system and various diseases, such as diabetes, obesity, nephropathy, and
neuropathy. Particularly, the brain relies on glucose as fuel for the normal
development of neuronal activity. Regions adjacent to the cerebral ventricles,
such as the hypothalamus and brainstem, exercise central control in energy
homeostasis. These centers house nuclei of neurons whose excitatory activity is
sensitive to changes in glucose levels. Determining the different detection
mechanisms, the phenotype of neurosecretion, and neural connections involving
glucose-sensitive neurons is essential to understanding the response to
hypoglycemia through modulation of food intake, thermogenesis, and activation of
sympathetic and parasympathetic branches, inducing glucagon and epinephrine
secretion and other hypothalamic-pituitary axis-dependent counterregulatory
hormones, such as glucocorticoids and growth hormone. The aim of this review
focuses on integrating the current understanding of various glucose-sensing
mechanisms described in the brain, thereby establishing a relationship between
neuroanatomy and control of physiological processes involved in both metabolic
and energy balance. This will advance the understanding of increasingly
prevalent diseases in the modern world, especially diabetes, and emphasize
patterns that regulate and stimulate intake, thermogenesis, and the overall
synergistic effect of the neuroendocrine system.
DOI: 10.1007/s12035-018-1099-4
PMID: 29796992 [Indexed for MEDLINE]