Andrea Zsombok
Professor, Physiology
Tulane University
“Sympathetic circuits regulating hepatic glucose metabolism”
The regulation of energy homeostasis including glucose metabolism, involves an exchange of information between the nervous systems and peripheral organs and tissues; therefore, altering central and/or peripheral neural pathways could be an alternative solution to modulate whole-body metabolism. Liver glucose production and storage are major mechanisms controlling glycemia, and the sympathetic nervous system plays an important role in the maintenance of hepatic glucose homeostasis. Pre-sympathetic neurons in the brainstem and hypothalamus govern the sympathetic output to the liver and change in neuronal activity is one of the underlying mechanisms of autonomic imbalance; therefore, modulation of the excitability of neurons involved in autonomic outflow governance has the potential to improve glycemic status. The talk will provide an overview of the brain – liver pathway and neuronal plasticity in diabetic and obese conditions.
Friday September 20, 2024, 11:00AM-12:00PM, LIB-110
University of North Texas Health Science Center
Fort Worth, Texas