title: Insulin activates ATP-sensitive K+ channels in hypothalamic neurons of lean, but not obese rats.
abstract: Insulin 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen Centre for Energy Regulation and Obesity, Institute of Medical Sciences, Foresterhill, Aberdeen AB25 2ZD, UK.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Spanswick
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mirshamsi
authors.forename: V H
authors.initials: VH
authors.lastname: Routh
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Ashford
mesh_terms: D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D001111:Arcuate Nucleus of Hypothalamus / Q000502:physiology; D005947:Glucose / Q000494:pharmacology; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000502:physiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007328:Insulin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D020738:Leptin / Q000494:pharmacology; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*; D009765:Obesity / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology*; D018408:Patch-Clamp Techniques; D019869:Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats; D011924:Rats, Zucker; D013851:Thinness; D014044:Tolbutamide / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D007328:Insulin; D020738:Leptin; D015221:Potassium Channels; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate; D014044:Tolbutamide; D019869:Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases; D005947:Glucose