Détecteurs de glucose et régulation de la prise alimentaire

Based on the glucostactic and lipostastic theories, it has been proposed that two dependent phenomena could be involved in the control of food intake. At short term, the regulation of food intake is part of the of the glucoregulatory mechanism, i.e. to the mechanism of use and replenishment of the glucose stores. This mechanism which is mainly involved in meal initiation is modulated by a second mechanism linked to the use and storage of lipids i.e. fat mass. Some molecules have been proposed to play the role of signal informing some brain structures of the metabolic status of the individual, among them leptin, insulin and glucose seems to play a major role. New insights into the cellular and molecular mechanism that support the fact that the electrical activity of some neurones depends on the glucose and/or insulin concentration, have been gained recently. Making the analogy with the beta cell of the islet of Langerhans, it has been proposed that proteins such as glucose transporter 2, glucokinase and the ATP-dependent potassium channel, could assure this sensing. Alteration in this sensing system could be at the origin of some alterations in feeding behavior.