Lateral Hypothalamic Area Glutamatergic Neurons and Their Projections to the Lateral Habenula Modulate the Anesthetic Potency of Isoflurane in Mice

The lateral hypothalamic area(LHA)plays a pivotal role in regulating consciousness transition,in which orexinergic neurons,GABAergic neurons,and melanin-concentrating hormone neurons are involved.Glutamatergic neurons have a large population in the LHA,but their anesthesia-related effect has not been explored.Here,we found that genetic ablation of LHA glutamatergic neurons shortened the induction time and prolonged the recovery time of isoflurane anesthesia in mice.In contrast,chemogenetic activation of LHA glutamatergic neurons increased the time to anesthesia and decreased the time to recovery.Optogenetic activation of LHA glutamatergic neurons during the maintenance of anesthesia reduced the burst suppression pattern of the electroencephalogram(EEG)and shifted EEG features to an arousal pattern.Photostimulation of LHA glutamatergic projections to the lateral habenula(LHb)also facilitated the emergence from anesthesia and the transition of anesthesia depth to a lighter level.Collectively,LHA glutamatergic neurons and their projections to the LHb regulate anesthetic potency and EEG features.

Effect of Acupuncture on Monoamines and Adenosine Triphosphatase Activityin Lateral Hypothalamic Area of ObeseRats

Objective: To study the mechanism of acupuncture in treating simple obesity. Methods: Central nerve push-pull perfusion and biochemical technique were used to observe the effect of acupuncture on the obese parameters, changes of monoamine transmitters and activity of ATPase in the lateral hypothalamic area (LHA) of obese rats. Results: Noradrenaline (NA) level in LHA of obese rats was higher but serotonin (5-HT) level and ATPase activity were lower than those in normal rats. After acupuncture treatment, in the same time of reducing body weight, NA level in LHA of rats was reduced, and 5-HT level and ATPase activity in it were increased.(P<0.05 and P<0.01). Conclusion:The effective regulation on LHA of obese rats is possibly one of the key factors in anti-obesity effect of acupuncture.