Under stressful conditions such as fasting or hypoglycemia, the brain can regulate glucose release, but this regulatory effect is rarely considered in daily life. According to the latest issue of the journal Molecular Metabolism, a new study from the University of Michigan in the United States shows that a specific type of neuron in the hypothalamus can help the brain maintain blood sugar levels in daily situations. Studies over the past 50 years have shown that abnormal nervous system function can lead to fluctuations in blood glucose levels, especially in patients with diabetes. Some neurons are located in the ventromedial nucleus (VMH) of the hypothalamus, which is responsible for controlling hunger, fear, thermoregulation, and sexual activity. This time, the research team focuses on VMHCckbr neurons, which contain cholecystokinin B receptor protein. They used a mouse model to inactivate these neurons. By monitoring blood glucose levels, the team found that VMHCckbr neurons play an important role in maintaining glucose levels during daily activities, including the fasting phase from after dinner to before waking up in the morning. Research shows that in the first 4 hours after falling asleep, these neurons burn fat through lipolysis, produce glycerol, and synthesize sugar to ensure that the body has enough glucose and avoid low blood sugar throughout the night. When the research team activated VMHCckbr neurons in mice, the levels of glycerol in the animals increased. These findings may explain the phenomenon of increased lipolysis at night in pre diabetes patients. In these patients, VMHCckbr neurons may be overactive, leading to elevated blood sugar levels. A new study suggests that glucose regulation is not "on and off", but rather fine tuned by different neurons working together. In emergency situations, it is fully activated, but in daily situations, it undergoes subtle regulation. (New Society)