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Insulin activates ATP-sensitive K+ channels in hypothalamic neurons of lean, but not obese rats
D Spanswick1, M A Smith, S Mirshamsi
1Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen Centre for Energy Regulation and Obesity, Institute of Medical Sciences, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK.
Nature Neuroscience
|July 21, 2000
Abstract:
Insulin and leptin receptors are present in hypothalamic regions that control energy homeostasis, and these hormones reduce food intake and body weight in lean, but not obese, Zucker rats. Here we demonstrate that insulin, like leptin, hyperpolarizes lean rat hypothalamic glucose-responsive (GR) neurons by opening KATP channels. These findings suggest hypothalamic K ATP channel function is crucial to physiological regulation of food intake and body weight.