title: Hypothalamic astrocytes in obesity.
abstract: Obesity is characterized by a chronic and low-grade inflammation in tissues including the hypothalamus. Hypothalamic inflammation is considered an early and determining factor for the onset of obesity, a factor that occurs even before body weight gain. Within the hypothalamus, microglia and astrocytes produce cytokines that drive inflammatory responses. Astrocytes are directly affected by nutrient excess and might play a unique role in promoting hypothalamic inflammatory responses in obesity. This article reviews evidence supporting the role of hypothalamic astrocytes in obesity, and suggests a new approach for neuroendocrine research designed to reveal pathogenesis and develop novel treatment strategies against obesity.
authors: Institute for Diabetes and Obesity, Helmholtz Centre Munich, 85748 Garching, Munich, Germany.
authors: Cristina
authors: C
authors: García-Cáceres
authors: Chun-Xia
authors: CX
authors: Yi
authors: Matthias H
authors: MH
authors: Tschöp
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001253:Astrocytes / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007031:Hypothalamus / Q000473:pathology*; D009765:Obesity / Q000473:pathology*