Neuroendocrine mechanisms involved in regulation of body weight, food intake and metabolism

Body weight regulation is the result of food intake and energy expenditure. The central nervous system (CNS), and in particular, the hypothalamus, controls food intake as well as metabolism, the latter mainly by autonomic effects on the islet of Langerhans, hepatocytes and adipocytes. Body weight, more precisely body fat content, is probably controlled by a feedback mechanism in which insulin, released from the B cell of the islet of Langerhans, plays a key role. The islet of Langerhans is an intricate neuroendocrine unit in which the release of glucagon, insulin, and somatostatin from A, B, and D cells, respectively, is controlled by the CNS via a rich autonomic innervation. In addition, the endocrine cells of the pancreas influence each other by paracrine actions. The CNS control of the islets shapes the plasma insulin and blood glucose profiles during the circadian cycle and thereby regulates the nutrient flow to the different tissues in the body. Thus, the CNS structures involved in regulation of body weight and food intake control also metabolism. The mechanisms contributing to match food intake and the needs of metabolism are discussed.