Emerging role of the brain in the homeostatic regulation of energy and glucose metabolism

Accumulated evidence from genetic animal models suggests that the brain, particularly the hypothalamus, has a key role in the homeostatic regulation of energy and glucose metabolism. The brain integrates multiple metabolic inputs from the periphery through nutrients, gut-derived satiety signals and adiposity-related hormones. The brain modulates various aspects of metabolism, such as food intake, energy expenditure, insulin secretion, hepatic glucose production and glucose/fatty acid metabolism in adipose tissue and skeletal muscle. Highly coordinated interactions between the brain and peripheral metabolic organs are critical for the maintenance of energy and glucose homeostasis. Defective crosstalk between the brain and peripheral organs contributes to the development of obesity and type 2 diabetes. Here we comprehensively review the above topics, discussing the main findings related to the role of the brain in the homeostatic regulation of energy and glucose metabolism. Highly coordinated interactions between the brain and other organs of the body are critical for controlling the supply of energy from food. Min-Seon Kim and colleagues at the University of Ulsan in South Korea review these interactions, particularly the role of hypothalamus, a part of brain. They focus on the processes that keep energy supply and glucose metabolism within appropriate limits. The brain monitors energy intake by sensing gut hormones released when we eat, and by detecting nutrients in the blood. The brain also receives signals reporting the amounts of fatty or “adipose” tissue in the body. In response to these and other signals the brain controls food intake and metabolism. Understanding the systems that control glucose and energy balance will help to develop new drugs to combat obesity and diabetes.