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Updated: Jun 22, 2026

A Fluorescence-based Assay for Characterization and Quantification of Lipid Droplet Formation in Human Intestinal Organoids
Published on: October 13, 2019
Upper intestinal lipids regulate energy and glucose homeostasis
Grace W C Cheung1, Andrea Kokorovic, Tony K T Lam
1Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
Dietary lipids activate upper intestinal gut-brain and gut-brain-liver axes. This review explores the mechanisms by which lipids trigger these neuronal pathways to regulate energy and glucose homeostasis.
Area of Science:
- Physiology
- Neuroendocrinology
- Metabolism
Background:
- Nutrient sensing in the small intestine is crucial for metabolic adaptation.
- An upper intestinal lipid-induced gut-brain axis regulates energy homeostasis.
- A newly discovered gut-brain-liver axis is involved in glucose homeostasis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the mechanisms of upper intestinal lipid sensing.
- To elucidate the activation pathways of lipid-induced neuronal axes.
- To understand the regulation of energy and glucose homeostasis by upper intestinal lipids.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of current research on nutrient sensing.
- Analysis of studies investigating gut-brain and gut-brain-liver communication.
- Focus on lipid sensing mechanisms in the upper intestine.
Main Results:
- Upper intestinal lipids activate specific nutrient-sensing mechanisms.
- These mechanisms initiate signaling cascades leading to gut-brain and gut-brain-liver axis activation.
- Lipid sensing plays a key role in coordinating metabolic responses.
Conclusions:
- Upper intestinal lipids are potent regulators of energy and glucose balance.
- Understanding these neuronal axes provides insights into metabolic disease.
- Further research into lipid sensing mechanisms is warranted.
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