Institute of Biomedical & Clinical Sciences, University of Exeter Medical School, Level 4, RILD, Barrack Rd, Exeter EX2 5DW, UK.
Institute of Biomedical & Clinical Sciences, University of Exeter Medical School, Level 4, RILD, Barrack Rd, Exeter EX2 5DW, UK.
Physiol Behav. 2020 Sep 1;223:112982. doi: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2020.112982. Epub 2020 Jun 11.
The nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS) is the primary brainstem centre for the integration of physiological information from the periphery transmitted via the vagus nerve. In turn, the NTS feeds into downstream circuits regulating physiological parameters. Astrocytes are glial cells which have key roles in maintaining CNS tissue homeostasis and regulating neuronal communication. Recently an increasing number of studies have implicated astrocytes in the regulation of synaptic transmission and physiology. This review aims to highlight evidence for a role for astrocytes in the functions of the NTS. Astrocytes maintain and modulate NTS synaptic transmission contributing to the control of diverse physiological systems namely cardiovascular, respiratory, glucoregulatory, and gastrointestinal. In addition, it appears these cells may have a role in central control of feeding behaviour. As such these cells are a key component of signal processing and physiological control by the NTS.
孤束核（NTS）是整合通过迷走神经从外周传入的生理信息的主要脑干中枢。反过来，NTS 又将信息传递到下游回路，以调节生理参数。星形胶质细胞是神经胶质细胞，在维持中枢神经系统组织内稳态和调节神经元通讯方面发挥着关键作用。最近越来越多的研究表明星形胶质细胞在调节突触传递和生理学方面发挥着作用。本综述旨在强调星形胶质细胞在 NTS 功能中的作用。星形胶质细胞维持和调节 NTS 的突触传递，有助于控制多种生理系统，包括心血管、呼吸、糖调节和胃肠道。此外，这些细胞似乎在中枢控制进食行为方面也发挥着作用。因此，这些细胞是 NTS 进行信号处理和生理控制的关键组成部分。
