Infusion of fluoxetine, a serotonin reuptake inhibitor, in the shell region of the nucleus accumbens increases blood glucose concentrations in rats. (10th January 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Diepenbroek, C.; Rijnsburger, M.; Eggels, L.; van Megen, K.M.; Ackermans, M.T.; Fliers, E.; Kalsbeek, A.; Serlie, M.J.; la Fleur, S.E.
• Is Part Of: Neuroscience letters. Volume 637(2017)
• Page Start: 85
• Page End: 90
• Publication Date: 2017-01-10
• Subjects: ACh Acetylcholine -- cNAc core region of the nucleus accumbens -- DBS deep brain stimulation -- EGP endogenous glucose production -- NAc nucleus accumbens -- LH lateral hypothalamic area -- SSRI shell region of the nucleus accumbens -- sNAc shell region of the nucleus accumbens -- T2DM type 2 diabetes mellitus -- WAT white adipose tissue; Nucleus accumbens shell -- Glucose -- Glucagon -- Insulin -- Endogenous glucose production; Neurology -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; Research -- Periodicals; Neurologie -- Périodiques; Neuroanatomie -- Périodiques; Neuropharmacologie -- Périodiques; Neurophysiologie -- Périodiques; Neurology; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 617.48
• DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2016.11.045
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0304-3940

Abstract

Highlights: Fluoxetine infused in the nucleus accumbens shell (sNAc), increases blood glucose. Fluoxetine's effects were partly explained by increased glucose production. Effect of fluoxetine in sNAc is independent of glucoregulatory hormones changes. We show first support for a role of the cortico-limbic system in glucose metabolism. Abstract: The brain is well known to regulate blood glucose, and the hypothalamus and hindbrain, in particular, have been studied extensively to understand the underlying mechanisms. Nuclei in these regions respond to alterations in blood glucose concentrations and can alter glucose liver output or glucose tissue uptake to maintain blood glucose concentrations within strict boundaries. Interestingly, several cortico-limbic regions also respond to alterations in glucose concentrations and have been shown to project to hypothalamic nuclei and glucoregulatory organs. For instance, electrical stimulation of the shell of the nucleus accumbens (sNAc) results in increased circulating concentrations of glucose and glucagon and activation of the lateral hypothalamus (LH). Whether this is caused by the simultaneous increase in serotonin release in the sNAc remains to be determined. To study the effect of sNAc serotonin on systemic glucose metabolism, we implanted bilateral microdialysis probes in the sNAc of male Wistar rats and infused fluoxetine, a serotonin reuptake inhibitor, or vehicle after which blood glucose, endogenous glucose production (EGP) and glucoregulatory hormones were measured. Fluoxetine in the sNAc for 1 h significantly increased blood glucose concentrations without an effect on glucoregulatory hormones. This increase was accompanied by a higher EGP in the fluoxetine infused rats compared to the controls. These data provide further evidence for a role of sNAc-serotonin in the regulation of glucose metabolism.