Circadian regulation of feeding in rats: suprachiasmatic versus ventromedial hypothalamic nuclei.
The role of the suprachiasmatic nuclei as a major component of a specific circadian system controlling feeding periodicity is reviewed. Evidence is presented supporting the assumption that the ventromedial hypothalamus and the suprachiasmatic nucleus may act as a constant (tonic) regulator and a circadian modulator respectively of feeding in rats. It is concluded that a specific circadian system differing from the metabolic control mechanism superimposes the circadian periodicity of feeding. A model is put forward for the possible functional relationships between circadian and metabolic (homeostatic) control mechanisms of feeding in rats.
Stoynev
A G
AG
Department of Physiology, Medical Academy, Sofia, Bulgaria.
Ikonomov
O C
OC
D000818:Animals; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D004435:Eating; D008066:Lipolysis; D008954:Models, Biological; D051381:Rats; D012016:Reference Values; D013493:Suprachiasmatic Nucleus / Q000502:physiology*; D014697:Ventromedial Hypothalamic Nucleus / Q000502:physiology*