Glucoprivation increases expression of neuropeptide Y mRNA in hindbrain neurons that innervate the hypothalamus

Subcutaneous administration of 2-deoxy-d-glucose (2DG, 250 mg/kg) significantly increased NPY mRNA expression in specific hindbrain cell groups.

• Hindbrain neurons that produce NPY and coexpress norepinephrine or epinephrine are involved in regulating feeding related to glucose levels.
• After 2DG treatment, significant increases in NPY mRNA expression were observed in catecholamine cell groups A1, A1/C1, and C2.
• In cell groups C1 and C3, which had low baseline NPY mRNA levels, 2DG also led to a significant increase in expression.
• No NPY mRNA expression was detected in cell groups A2, A5, A6, and A7, either at baseline or after 2DG administration.
• Destruction of hindbrain catecholamine/NPY neurons by a specific immunotoxin eliminated both baseline and stimulated NPY expression, indicating their crucial role in response to glucose deficit.

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