Glucose-sensing glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor neurons in the dorsomedial hypothalamus regulate glucose metabolism

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) regulates energy homeostasis via activation of the GLP-1 receptors (GLP-1Rs) in the central nervous system. However, the mechanism by which the central GLP-1 signal controls blood glucose levels, especially in different nutrient states, remains unclear. Here, we defined a population of glucose-sensing GLP-1R neurons in the dorsomedial hypothalamic nucleus (DMH), by which endogenous GLP-1 decreases glucose levels via the cross-talk between the hypothalamus and pancreas. Specifically, we illustrated the sufficiency and necessity of DMH GLP-1R in glucose regulation. The activation of the DMH GLP-1R neurons is mediated by a cAMP-PKA–dependent inhibition of a delayed rectifier potassium current. We also dissected a descending control of DMH GLP-1R –dorsal motor nucleus of the vagus nerve (DMV)–pancreas activity that can regulate glucose levels by increasing insulin release. Thus, our results illustrate how central GLP-1 action in the DMH can induce a nutrient state–dependent reduction in blood glucose level.