Neurotransmitters in Type 2 Diabetes and the Control of Systemic and Central Energy Balance

Abstract

Efficient signal transduction is important in maintaining the function of the nervous system across tissues. An intact neurotransmission process can regulate energy balance through proper communication between neurons and peripheral organs. This ensures that the right neural circuits are activated in the brain to modulate cellular energy homeostasis and systemic metabolic function. Alterations in neurotransmitters secretion can lead to imbalances in appetite, glucose metabolism, sleep, and thermogenesis. Dysregulation in dietary intake is also associated with disruption in neurotransmission and can trigger the onset of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and obesity. In this review, we highlight the various roles of neurotransmitters in regulating energy balance at the systemic level and in the central nervous system. We also address the link between neurotransmission imbalance and the development of T2D as well as perspectives across the fields of neuroscience and metabolism research.

Effects of a Diabetic Microenvironment on Neurodegeneration: Special Focus on Neurological Cells

“…In the human body, the brain is undoubtedly the most expensive organ in terms of its strict glucose dependency on energy expenditure to carry out essential routine activities. Neurons in the brain demand a constant supply of glucose, which depends on its extracellular concentration [ 54 , 112 ]. The brain is highly vulnerable to oxidative insults because of its high oxygen and glucose consumption rates, abundant lipid content, and relative paucity of antioxidant enzymes compared with other tissues [ 113 ].…”

Weight Loss Supplements

“…Some supplements can promote antiobesogenic effects, interacting with the central nervous system and determining the release of hormones, such as the neuropeptide Y (that can delay satiety and promote food intake), norepinephrine (that can increase lipolysis), the POMC/CART (that can regulate food consumption) [ 82 ], the melanocortins and α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (that can regulate the appetite and are affected by leptin and insulin) [ 83 ], and serotonin (that can regulate food intake) ( Table 1 ). The plant secondary metabolites that can interact with the hormones released by the central nervous system are ephedrine (that acts as a sympathomimetic agent) [ 84 ], the red ginseng’s saponins (protopanaxadiol and protopanaxatriol type that act by downregulating leptin and neuropeptide Y) [ 85 , 86 ], the garcinia’s hydroxy citric acids (that control the glucose and uptake of serotonin level) [ 87 , 88 ], the amines in citrus with aromatic rings (that improve serotonin levels) [ 89 ], and fucoxanthin isolated from brown seaweed (that impacts insulin levels) [ 90 ].…”