Central insulin may up-regulate thyroid activity by suppressing neuropeptide Y release in the paraventricular nucleus
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Updated: Nov 6, 2026

A RAPID Method for Blood Processing to Increase the Yield of Plasma Peptide Levels in Human Blood
Published on: April 28, 2016
1Nutrition 21, San Diego, CA 92109, USA.
Abstract:
Down-regulation of thyroid activity during underfeeding or diabetes - and upregulation during overfeeding - have not been adequately explained. Experimental findings suggest that hypothalamic secretion of thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) is modulated by feeding status; neuropeptide Y may be a key mediator of this modulation. I propose that insulin, acting centrally as a signal of carbohydrate availability, promotes TRH secretion by inhibiting release of neuropeptide Y in the paraventricular nucleus. This mechanism may contribute to the weight loss reported during administration of certain insulin-sensitizing agents, and observed during low-fat diets.
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