Ventromedial hypothalamic nitric oxide production is necessary for hypoglycemia detection and counterregulation.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

The response of ventromedial hypothalamic (VMH) glucose-inhibited neurons to decreased glucose is impaired under conditions where the counterregulatory response (CRR) to hypoglycemia is impaired (e.g., recurrent hypoglycemia). This suggests a role for glucose-inhibited neurons in the CRR. We recently showed that decreased glucose increases nitric oxide (NO) production in cultured VMH glucose-inhibited neurons. These in vitro data led us to hypothesize that NO release from VMH glucose-inhibited neurons is critical for the CRR.

Research design and methods

The CRR was evaluated in rats and mice in response to acute insulin-induced hypoglycemia and hypoglycemic clamps after modulation of brain NO signaling. The glucose sensitivity of ventromedial nucleus glucose-inhibi

SUBMITTER: Fioramonti X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2809968 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature