Light modulates glucose and lipid homeostasis via the sympathetic nervous system.

ABSTRACT: Light is an important environmental factor for vision and for diverse physiological and psychological functions. Light can also modulate glucose metabolism. Here, we show that in mice, light is critical for glucose and lipid homeostasis by regulating the sympathetic nervous system, independent of circadian disruption. Light deprivation from birth elicits insulin hypersecretion, glucagon hyposecretion, lower gluconeogenesis, and reduced lipolysis by 6 to 8 weeks in male, but not female, mice. These metabolic defects are consistent with blunted sympathetic activity, and indeed, sympathetic responses to a cold stimulus are substantially attenuated in dark-reared mice. Further, long-term dark rearing leads to body weight gain, insulin resistance, and glucose intolerance. Notably, metabolic dys

SUBMITTER: Chen X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11633741 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature