INDUCTION OF FOS-IMMUNOREACTIVITY IN PROLACTIN-LIKE CONTAINING NEURONS OF THE RAT LATERAL HYPOTHALAMUS AFTER INSULIN-TREATMENT

The role of the lateral hypothalamus (LHT) in the regulation of feeding behavior has long been established. The major contribution of LHT glucose-sensitive neurons, activated by low glucose concentration, is well accepted. Two peptidergic neuron populations, whose perikarya are exclusively located within this area, have been recently described. They respectively produce peptides derived from the melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) precursor and prolactin-like immunoreactive peptide (PLI). In the present study, hypoglycemia-induced neuron stimulation was assessed in the rat LHT, by using Fos immunocytochemistry 1 to 5 h after a single insulin injection. In control animals, very scarce Fos-like immunoreactivity (FLI)-containing nuclei were observed in LHT. Insulin treatment induced an important and progressive increase in the number and staining intensity of neuron nuclei detected by Fos antiserum. Five hours after injection, few MCH neurons exhibited FLI, but about 80% of PLI-containing neurons expressed FLI and more than 50% of the FLI-containing nuclei belonged to PLI neurons. It was thus concluded that PLI-expressing neurons, which dramatically responded to insulin treatment, might correspond to a subpopulation of the glucose-sensitive LHT neurons.