Feeding enhances extracellular lactate of local origin in the rostromedial hypothalamus but not in the cerebellum

Abstract

The use of brain microdialysis together with chronic vascular catheterization allowed us to assay extracellular fluid lactate (ECFL) in both the ventromedial-paraventricular (VMH-PVN) area of the hypothalamus and the cerebellum, in parallel with measures of plasma levels, and in relation to food intake. A 45 min scheduled meal increased VMH-PVN ECFL by 28%. This increase was not observed in the cerebellum. The prandial increase in plasma glucose (43%, from 4.74 to 6.77 mM) and lactate (84%, from 0.83 to 1.53 mM) showed a different temporal pattern and lasted longer than that of the ECFL. Glucose delivery by reverse dialysis for 45 min into the VMH-PVN area increased ECFL by 49%. When local glucose utilization was prevented by reverse dialysis-delivered 2-deoxy-d-glucose (2-DG), not only did VMH-PVN ECFL drop, but the feed-related increase in ECFL was blocked without affecting the normal rise in plasma glucose and in lactate. These results indicate that meal-related ECFL production and variations are independent of circulating lactate, but may depend on substrate availability in these hypothalamic structures.