Sensing the fat: Fatty acid metabolism in the hypothalamus and the melanocortin system

Recent evidence has demonstrated that circulating long chain fatty acids act as nutrient abundance signals in the hypothalamus. Moreover, pharmacological inhibition of fatty acid synthase (FAS) results in profound decrease in food intake and body weight in rodents. These anorectic actions are mediated by the modulation of hypothalamic neuropeptide systems, such as melanocortins. In this review, we summarize what is known about lipid sensing and fatty acid metabolism in the hypothalamus. Understanding these molecular mechanisms could provide new pharmacological targets for the treatment of obesity and appetite disorders, as well as novel concepts in the nutritional design.