Insulin and leptin acutely modulate the energy metabolism of primary hypothalamic and cortical astrocytes

Astrocytes constitute a heterogeneous cell population within the brain, contributing crucially to brain homeostasis and playing an important role in overall brain function. Their function and metabolism are not only regulated by local signals, for example, from nearby neurons, but also by long-range signals such as hormones. Thus, two prominent hormones primarily known for regulating the energy balance of the whole organism, insulin, and leptin, have been reported to also impact astrocytes within the brain. In this study, we investigated the acute regulation of astrocytic metabolism by these hormones in cultured astrocytes prepared from the mouse cortex and hypothalamus, a pivotal region in the context of nutritional regulation. Utilizing genetically encoded, fluorescent nanosensors, the cytosolic concentrations of glucose, lactate, and ATP, along with glycolytic rate and the NADH/NAD