The hypothalamic AMPK-BAT axis: a key modulator of energy balance

old_uid12611
titleThe hypothalamic AMPK-BAT axis: a key modulator of energy balance
start_date2013/06/14
schedule11h30
onlineno
summaryDr. Lopez works on the neuroendocrinology of energy balance regulation and has critically contributed to the field by determining the mechanisms engaged by Thyroid hormones in the regulation of energy balance and feeding behavior. His original findings have been published in HF journals including Nat Med, Cell Metab and Diabetes. The “classical” hypothalamic neuropeptide view of energy balance has been extensively reviewed and revised during the last few years. Accumulating evidence indicate that modulation of lipogenesis de novo in the hypothalamus,throughselectivepharmacologic and genetic manipulation ofacetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1 (CPT1), fatty acid synthase (FAS) and malonyl-CoA decarboxylase (MCD) enzymes, has a severe impact on body weight homeostasis. Our current investigations have revealed that hypothalamic AMPK function in the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus (VMH) is as an important physiological mediator of brown adipose tissue (BAT) thermogenesis of relevance for the understanding and treatment of obesity.
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