Hypoglycaemic stimulation of macrophage cytokine release is suppressed by AMP-activated protein kinase activation.

Aims: Acute hypoglycaemia promotes pro-inflammatory cytokine production, increasing the risk for cardiovascular events in diabetes. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is regulated by and influences the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. We sought to examine the mechanistic role of AMPK in low glucose-induced changes in the pro-inflammatory cytokine macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), which is elevated in people with diabetes.

Validation of a refined protocol for mouse oral glucose tolerance testing without gavage.

A glucose tolerance test (GTT) is routinely used to assess glucose homeostasis in clinical settings and in preclinical research studies using rodent models. The procedure assesses the ability of the body to clear glucose from the blood in a defined time after a bolus dose. In the human clinical setting, glucose is ingested via voluntary consumption of a glucose-sweetened drink.

Regulation of astrocyte metabolism by mitochondrial translocator protein 18 kDa.

The mitochondrial translocator protein 18 kDa (TSPO) has been linked to functions from steroidogenesis to regulation of cellular metabolism and is an attractive therapeutic target for chronic CNS inflammation. Studies in Leydig cells and microglia indicate that TSPO function may vary between cells depending on their specialized roles. Astrocytes are critical for providing trophic and metabolic support in the brain.

Regulation of astrocyte metabolism by mitochondrial translocator protein 18kDa.

The mitochondrial translocator protein 18kDa (TSPO) has been linked to a variety of functions from steroidogenesis to regulation of cellular metabolism and is an attractive therapeutic target for chronic CNS inflammation. Studies in the periphery using Leydig cells and hepatocytes, as well as work in microglia, indicate that the function of TSPO may vary between cells depending on their specialised roles. Astrocytes are critical for providing trophic and metabolic support in the brain as part of their role in maintaining brain homeostasis.

Impact of chemogenetic activation of dorsal vagal complex astrocytes in mice on adaptive glucoregulatory responses.

The dorsal vagal complex (DVC) regulates diverse aspects of physiology including food intake and blood glucose homeostasis. Astrocytes play an active role in regulating DVC function and, by extension, physiological parameters. DVC astrocytes in ex vivo slices respond to low tissue glucose.