Untitled

Abstract

During the process of human evolution, an enormous variety of mechanisms were selected in order to maintain metabolic homeostasis. Neurally-mediated anticipatory responses, also named as cephalic phase responses (CPR), and microcirculatory regulation are examples of these mechanisms. Beyond the already known insulin´s metabolic effects, this hormone exerts clear hemodynamic effects in the entire vascular bed. One of the most studied aspects of the CPR is the one related to insulin´s action. The cephalic phase of insulin response (CPIR) is involved in glucoregulation and seems to positively influence glucose homeostasis. While receptor and mainly post-receptor defects on insulin action are factors already well-known that regulate glucose homeostasis, actually pre-receptor defects directly related to microcirculatory dysfunction may also influence glycemia. With this view, microcirculatory dysfunction could be both cause and consequence of insulin resistance and glucose homeostasis dysregulation. In this review, we aimed to discuss an interaction hypothesis between CPIR and an early activation of microcirculation in order to maintain glucose homeostasis, as well as the possible impairment promoted by obesity and insulin resistance in this association.