Association of increased plasma lipid levels with brain stimulation

Abstract

Twenty-four fasting animals were given a total meal of 1 ml. of cream by intubation and stimulated in the hypothalamic region. Pre- and post-stimulation blood specimens were analyzed for triglycerides, cholesterol and phospholipids. An equal number of control animals were sham operated, fed and identically treated except for stimulation. In the stimulated animals significant increases were observed in plasma levels of triglyceride, cholesterol and phospholipids within seventy-five minutes after the test meal was administered and 15 minutes following stimulation. The experiment was repeated with an equal number of animals treated identically except for omission of the test meal. No significant differences were observed between stimulated and nonstimulated animals in any of the variables examined, except triglycerides, when feeding was omitted. Gastric Motility was not altered by hypothalamic stimulation. The association between rapid increases in plasma lipid levels, especially in the cholesterol and phospholipid moieties, and hypothalamic stimulation after lipid feeding, is discussed in terms of a possible neural influence on liver function.