Selective inhibition of glucose-sensitive neurons in rat lateral hypothalamus by noxious stimuli and morphine.

On the basis of their responsiveness to electrophoretically applied glucose, neurons in the lateral hypothalamic area (LHA) have been characterized as either glucose sensitive or glucose nonsensitive. Glucose-sensitive neurons are important in feeding control (4, 36-38, 44, 54). The aim of this study was to increase understanding of the neurophysiological mechanisms involved in the disturbance of feeding by pain. Radiant heating of the scrotum, strong tail pinch, and immersion of the tail in hot water were used as noxious stimuli. In order to correlate the responses of LHA neurons to noxious inputs with possible local release of endogenous opiates, effects of electrophoretically applied morphine and naloxone were also tested. The effects of glucose, morphine, and noxious stimulation were studied in a total of 165 neurons recorded from 75 adult male urethane-chloralose-anesthetized rats. Of 52 neurons determined to be glucose sensitive, 36 (69%) were inhibited by both noxious stimulation and morphine. A majority of the glucose-nonsensitive neurons did not respond to either morphine or noxious stimulation (87/113, 74%). The relation of glucose sensitivity to inhibition by pain and/or morphine was statistically significant (Fisher's exact probability test, P less than 0.01). Naloxone attenuated the inhibitory effects of both pain and morphine, thus suggesting mediation of both by the same neuronal mechanism. From this evidence we conclude that LHA glucose-sensitive neurons are involved in the suppression of feeding by noxious stimulation.