Calorie restriction and glucose regulation.
Ketogenic diets (KDs) are effective treatments for epilepsy. The mechanisms of action are poorly understood. In some experimental seizure models, calorie restriction and hypoglycemia may augment the antiseizure effects of KDs. In addition, inhibiting glycolysis or diverting glucose from the glycolytic pathway inhibits seizures and possibly epileptogenesis, suggesting an interaction between energy regulation and the anticonvulsant actions of these interventions. Children on KDs frequently exhibit poor weight gain and have lower blood glucose levels compared to children on standard, balanced diets. Young rodents on a KD also exhibit slow weight gain, lower blood glucose and insulin levels, and elevated leptin levels. This review considers the possibility that calorie restriction, low serum glucose, and KDs share common cell signaling pathways to alter brain excitability. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is an attractive candidate signaling protein that could link energy balance to gene expression in such a way so as to reduce brain excitability.
Yamada
Kelvin A
KA
Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, USA. yamadak@wustl.edu
D000091162:AMP-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases; D000818:Animals; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D001921:Brain / Q000378:metabolism*; D031204:Caloric Restriction; D002648:Child; D055423:Diet, Ketogenic; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000097:blood / Q000178:diet therapy*; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D011494:Protein Kinases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology
D001786:Blood Glucose; D011494:Protein Kinases; D000091162:AMP-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases