Dirty dealing: hepatic vagal afferents reshuffle fat distribution.

Schwartz, Gary J · Cell Metab · 2006

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

To evaluate the role of hepatic peroxisome-proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) gamma 2 in the control of energy balance, Uno and colleagues examined the metabolic effects of overexpression of PPAR gamma 2 selectively in mouse and rat liver. Mice demonstrated a surprising degree of hepatic steatosis accompanied by significant reductions in peripheral adiposity. This crosstalk between liver and adipose tissue appears to be mediated by both the sensory component of the hepatic vagus nerve and sympathetic efferents. These data suggest a novel hepatic-adipose neuraxis that regulates the distribution of stored fat.

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