CNR Neuroscience Institute, Pisa, Italy.
Neural Plast. 2013;2013:438072. doi: 10.1155/2013/438072. Epub 2013 Jul 18.
Regulation of feeding behavior has been a crucial step in the interplay between leptin and the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus (ARC). On one hand, the basic mechanisms regulating central and peripheral action of leptin are becoming increasingly clear. On the other hand, knowledge on how brain sensitivity to leptin can be modulated is only beginning to accumulate. This point is of paramount importance if one considers that pathologically obese subjects have high levels of plasmatic leptin. A possible strategy for exploring neural plasticity in the ARC is to act on environmental stimuli. This can be achieved with various protocols, namely, physical exercise, high-fat diet, caloric restriction, and environmental enrichment. Use of these protocols can, in turn, be exploited to isolate key molecules with translational potential. In the present review, we summarize present knowledge about the mechanisms of plasticity induced by the environment in the ARC. In addition, we also address the role of leptin in extrahypothalamic plasticity, in order to propose an integrated view of how a single diffusible factor can regulate diverse brain functions.
进食行为的调节一直是瘦素和下丘脑弓状核（ARC）相互作用的关键步骤。一方面，调节瘦素中枢和外周作用的基本机制变得越来越清晰。另一方面，关于大脑对瘦素敏感性如何调节的知识才刚刚开始积累。如果考虑到病态肥胖患者血浆瘦素水平高，这一点至关重要。探索 ARC 神经可塑性的一种可能策略是作用于环境刺激。这可以通过各种方案来实现，即体育锻炼、高脂肪饮食、热量限制和环境丰富。这些方案的使用反过来又可以用来分离具有转化潜力的关键分子。在本综述中，我们总结了目前关于环境诱导 ARC 可塑性的机制的知识。此外，我们还探讨了瘦素在脑外可塑性中的作用，以提出一个综合观点，说明单一可扩散因子如何调节不同的大脑功能。
