| First Author | Worth AA | Year | 2024 |
| Journal | Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) | Volume | 15 |
| Pages | 1449326 | PubMed ID | 39286269 |
| Mgi Jnum | J:354291 | Mgi Id | MGI:7731477 |
| Doi | 10.3389/fendo.2024.1449326 | Citation | Worth AA, et al. (2024) Paraventricular oxytocin neurons impact energy intake and expenditure: projections to the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis reduce sucrose consumption. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 15:1449326 |
| abstractText | BACKGROUND: The part played by oxytocin and oxytocin neurons in the regulation of food intake is controversial. There is much pharmacological data to support a role for oxytocin notably in regulating sugar consumption, however, several recent experiments have questioned the importance of oxytocin neurons themselves. METHODS: Here we use a combination of histological and chemogenetic techniques to investigate the selective activation or inhibition of oxytocin neurons in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (Oxt(PVH)). We then identify a pathway from Oxt(PVH) neurons to the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis using the cell-selective expression of channel rhodopsin. RESULTS: Oxt(PVH) neurons increase their expression of cFos after both physiological (fast-induced re-feeding or oral lipid) and pharmacological (systemic administration of cholecystokinin or lithium chloride) anorectic signals. Chemogenetic activation of Oxt(PVH) neurons is sufficient to decrease free-feeding in Oxt (Cre:hM3Dq) mice, while inhibition in Oxt (Cre:hM4Di) mice attenuates the response to administration of cholecystokinin. Activation of Oxt(PVH) neurons also increases energy expenditure and core-body temperature, without a significant effect on locomotor activity. Finally, the selective, optogenetic stimulation of a pathway from Oxt(PVH) neurons to the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis reduces the consumption of sucrose. CONCLUSION: Our results support a role for oxytocin neurons in the regulation of whole-body metabolism, including a modulatory action on food intake and energy expenditure. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the pathway from Oxt(PVH) neurons to the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis can regulate sugar consumption. |
