Hypothalamic cholinergic and noradrenergic neurons in hyperglycemia induced by 2-deoxyglucose.

To investigate the contribution of the hypothalamic cholinergic and noradrenergic neurons in 2-deoxyglucose (2-DG) induced hyperglycemia, we after microwave irradiation analyzed the contents of the neurotransmitters and the metabolites in the microdissected hypothalamic nucleus, ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus (VMH), paraventricular nucleus (PVN) and lateral hypothalamus (LH). A dose dependent decrease in the acetylcholine (ACh) content and a corresponding increase in the choline content was observed in those hypothalamic nuclei 20 min after intravenous administration of 250 or 500 mg/kg 2-DG. The norepinephrine content decreased in 500 mg/kg 2-DG group but did not change significantly in the 250 mg/kg group. These results suggest the involvement and importance of the hypothalamic cholinergic system in 2-DG induced hyperglycemia and, furthermore, that the hyperglycemic response can not be solely attributed to the noradrenergic system.