Nature Neuroscience
3, 757 - 758 (2000)
doi:10.1038/77660
Insulin activates ATP-sensitive K+ channels in hypothalamic
neurons of lean, but not obese ratsD. Spanswick1, M. A. Smith1, S. Mirshamsi1, V. H. Routh1, 2
& M. L. J. Ashford11
Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Aberdeen,
Aberdeen Centre for Energy Regulation and Obesity, Institute of Medical Sciences, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD,
UK
2
Present address: Department of Pharmacology and Physiology,
New Jersey Medical School, 185 South Orange Avenue, University
Heights, Newark, New Jersey 07103-2714,
USA
Correspondence should be addressed to M. L. J. Ashford mike.ashford@abdn.ac.ukInsulin and leptin receptors are present in hypothalamic regions that control
energy homeostasis, and these hormones reduce food intake and body weight
in lean, but not obese, Zucker rats. Here we demonstrate that insulin, like
leptin, hyperpolarizes lean rat hypothalamic glucose-responsive (GR) neurons
by opening KATP channels. These findings suggest hypothalamic K
ATP channel function is crucial to physiological regulation of food
intake and body weight.
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