The Role of Ventromedial Hypothalamus Receptors in the Central Regulation of Food Intake

Abstract

Hypothalamus is the most critical center in the brain for regulation of food intake. Hypothalamus performs this function through special nuclei. The most important of these nuclei is PVN, because in addition to receiving input from special hypothalamic nuclei, it also receives input from other regions of the brain, as well circulation. Inputs received from other areas of the brain via special receptors including: MCR, GABA, IR, LepR, CBR, OXR, HR, NPY, D, CRF, and GHSR. Due to the presence of several receptors on VMH, different neurotransmitters and neuromodulators related to central food intake regulation effect on this nucleus. These neurotransmitters include two categories: orexigenic and anorexigenic. Orexigenic neuropeptides such as: NPY, orexin, endocannabinoids, glutamate, urocortin, and ghrelin. Anorexigenic neuropeptides included: MSH, CRF, leptin, insulin, BDNF, histamine, and dopamine. Then, VMH integrates these inputs from the bind of these neurotransmitters to their receptors, and sends the final feedback to other brain regions. The VMH is the first satiety center in the brain, and it receives various inputs from different regions of the brain and circulation via multiple receptors, as well as integrating these inputs and sending the appropriate output to other areas of the brain, VMH plays an important role in central control of food intake. Therefore, throughout this review article would discuss the function of this nucleus on central regulation of food intake via various neuropeptides and receptors. Legend: ARC: Arcuate nucleus. PVN: Paraventricular nucleus. VMH: Ventromedial hypothalamus. SF1: Serotonergic factor 1. BDNF: Brain-derived neurotropic factor. POMC: pro-opiomelanocortin. AgRP/NPY: Agouti related protein/ Neuropeptide Y. VTA: Ventral tegmental area. CB: Endocannabinoidergic neuron. OX: Orexin neuron. TB: Tuberommillary nucleus. H: Histaminergic neuron. D: Dopaminergic neuron. G: Glutamatergic neuron.: Stimulatory projection.: Inhibitory projection.