GLP-1 increases preingestive satiation via hypothalamic circuits in mice and humans

Science. 2024 Jul 26;385(6707):438-446. doi: 10.1126/science.adj2537. Epub 2024 Jun 27.

Abstract

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) are effective antiobesity drugs. However, the precise central mechanisms of GLP-1RAs remain elusive. We administered GLP-1RAs to patients with obesity and observed a heightened sense of preingestive satiation. Analysis of human and mouse brain samples pinpointed GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R) neurons in the dorsomedial hypothalamus (DMH) as candidates for encoding preingestive satiation. Optogenetic manipulation of DMHGLP-1R neurons caused satiation. Calcium imaging demonstrated that these neurons are actively involved in encoding preingestive satiation. GLP-1RA administration increased the activity of DMHGLP-1R neurons selectively during eating behavior. We further identified that an intricate interplay between DMHGLP-1R neurons and neuropeptide Y/agouti-related peptide neurons of the arcuate nucleus (ARCNPY/AgRP neurons) occurs to regulate food intake. Our findings reveal a hypothalamic mechanism through which GLP-1RAs control preingestive satiation, offering previously unexplored neural targets for obesity and metabolic diseases.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Agouti-Related Protein / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Arcuate Nucleus of Hypothalamus* / drug effects
  • Arcuate Nucleus of Hypothalamus* / metabolism
  • Dorsomedial Hypothalamic Nucleus* / drug effects
  • Dorsomedial Hypothalamic Nucleus* / metabolism
  • Eating / drug effects
  • Feeding Behavior / drug effects
  • Female
  • Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor / genetics
  • Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor / metabolism
  • Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists* / administration & dosage
  • Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists* / pharmacology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Neurons / drug effects
  • Neurons / physiology
  • Neuropeptide Y / metabolism
  • Obesity* / drug therapy
  • Obesity* / psychology
  • Optogenetics
  • Satiation* / drug effects

Substances

  • Agouti-Related Protein
  • Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor
  • Neuropeptide Y
  • Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists