Mechanisms Mediating the Actions of Fatty Acids in the Hypothalamus

• Published in: Neuroscience 2020-11, Vol.447, p.15-27
• Main Authors: Dragano, Nathalia R., Monfort-Pires, Milena, Velloso, Licio A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Energy Metabolism; Fatty Acids; G-protein-coupled receptors; Homeostasis; Humans; Hypothalamus; lipid; neuron; nutrient; Obesity
• ISSN: 0306-4522; 1873-7544
• DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2019.10.012

•Fatty acids control hypothalamic neurons involved in whole body energy homeostasis.•Fatty acids act through distinct mechanism to regulate hypothalamic neurons.•These mechanisms include subtracted metabolism membrane and nuclear receptors.•Fatty acid receptors are potential targets for drug therapy in metabolic conditions. Selected neurons of the hypothalamus are equipped with molecules specialized in sensing the energy status of the organism. Upon activation or inhibition by central and systemic factors, such as neurotransmitters, hormones, cytokines, and nutrients, these molecules play important roles in the regulation of neuronal responses that control whole-body energy homeostasis. Dietary fats can control hypothalamic function by acting upon distinct energy sensing systems. They can be metabolized inside neurons, producing signals that control the expression of neurotransmitters involved in energy homeostasis; moreover, excessive amounts of certain fatty acids can activate inflammatory signaling in microglia, astrocytes, and neurons, leading to functional abnormalities and, eventually, neuronal apoptosis. In addition, recent studies have identified lipid-sensing G-protein-coupled receptors in the hypothalamus, revealing their involvement in the regulation of caloric intake and energy expenditure, as well as in the hypothalamic inflammatory response that occurs in obesity. Because of advances in the generation of synthetic ligands for this class of receptors, it is expected that pharmacological modulation of selected lipid-sensing G-protein-coupled receptors in the central nervous system could provide therapeutic advances in obesity and other metabolic diseases. Here we review seminal work in this field.