Autonomic nervous system and energy metabolism in humans

本项目的主要目的是研究自主神经系统在人体能量代谢调节中的作用及其在肥胖和2型糖尿病病理生理中的可能作用。我们使用微神经造影测量肌肉交感神经活动，血浆/尿液儿茶酚胺测量全球交感神经系统（SNS）活动。我们使用空腹和餐后胰多肽、瞳孔测量、心率/血压测试和胃排空率来评估副交感神经系统（PNS）的活动。在过去的一年里，我们已经确定皮马印第安人，特别是

This main aim of this project is to study the role of the autonomic nervous system in the regulation of energy metabolism in humans and its possible role in the pathophysiology of obesity and type 2 diabetes. We use microneurography to measure muscle sympathetic nerve activity and plasma/urine catecholamines to measure global sympathetic nervous system (SNS)activity. We use fasting and post-prandial pancreatic polypeptide, pupillometry, heart rate/blood pressure tests, and gastric emptying rate to assess parasympathetic nervous system (PNS) activity. In the past year we have established that Pima Indians, especially obese individuals, have a lower SNS and a higher PNS activity compared to Caucasians. As a result, we have 2 main ongoing studies to understand if: a)cortisol (a hormone that inhibits SNS) has a role in the low SNS activity in the Pimas. Preliminary results in 8 Pimas and 15 Caucasians suggest a minor role of cortisol; b)the increased PNS activity explains the hyperinsulinemia that characterizes Pima Indians. Atropine (a drug that blocks PNS) studies have been completed in 4 Caucasians and 5 Pimas.