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Targeting lipid sensing in the central nervous system: new therapy against the development of obesity and type 2

Hervé Le Stunff1, Nicolas Coant, Stéphanie Migrenne

  • 1Unité Biologie Fonctionnelle et Adaptative - EAC CNRS 4413, Équipe Homéostasie Energétique et RéGulation nerveuse et Endocrine (HERGE), Université PARIS DIDEROT (7) , Bâtiment BUFFON - 5ème étage - pièce 504A, 4, rue Marie-Andrée Lagroua Weill-Halle, 75205 Paris Cedex 13 , France. herve.le-stunff@univ-paris-diderot.fr

Expert Opinion on Therapeutic Targets
|February 6, 2013
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Hypothalamic lipid sensing regulates energy balance. Disrupted lipid sensing can cause hypothalamic lipotoxicity, contributing to obesity and type 2 diabetes, suggesting it as a therapeutic target.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroendocrinology
  • Metabolic diseases

Background:

  • The hypothalamus regulates energy balance by sensing circulating lipids.
  • Disrupted hypothalamic lipid sensing can lead to lipotoxicity, contributing to obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Review the physiological role of lipid sensing in energy homeostasis.
  • Describe how altered hypothalamic systems during overnutrition contribute to obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of hypothalamic lipid sensing mechanisms.
  • Analysis of evidence linking overnutrition to hypothalamic dysfunction and metabolic disease.

Main Results:

  • Hypothalamic malonyl-CoA, PKCθ, and autophagy signal nutrient abundance.
  • Overnutrition induces hypothalamic lipotoxicity via inflammation.

Conclusions:

  • Lipid toxicity can initiate central energy balance disruptions, promoting obesity and type 2 diabetes.
  • Hypothalamic lipid sensing presents a potential target for anti-obesity and anti-diabetic strategies.

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