Endocrine Abstracts

The central nervous system (CNS) is crucial in the regulation of energy homeostasis. Apart from endocrine signaling and nutrient sensing, there is an important neuronal network that connects the CNS with peripheral metabolic processes. Many neuroanatomical studies have shown that the white adipose tissue (WAT) and the liver are innervated by the autonomic nervous system. For instance, there is evidence that, as the levels of various peripheral signals change, specific neuronal circuits within the CNS respond by adjusting ongoing autonomic nervous system activity to a wide spectrum of organs.

During the last years, several reports have demonstrated that signals from the CNS directly control the amount of fat by modulating the storage or oxidation of fatty acids in WAT and liver. Importantly, some CNS pathways regulate these processes independent of food intake, suggesting that those signals possess alternative mechanisms to regulate energy homeostasis. Different neuronal circuits within the hypothalamus, such as leptin- ghrelin- insulin- GLP1- and resistin-responsive neurons, as well as melanocortins, neuropeptide Y exert their direct actions on lipid metabolism in peripheral tissues such as WAT or liver. Contrary, other signals including the cannabinoid system, seem to play more important functions at peripheral level. Dissecting the complicated interactions between peripheral signals and neuronal circuits regulating lipid metabolism might open new avenues for the development of new therapies preventing and treating obesity and its associated disorders.