Fig. 8

Schematic representation summarizing the results of this manuscript. Our results suggest that the potential exchange of lactate between tanycytes and neurons in the arcuate nucleus may serve as a source of metabolic energy as well as a signaling mechanism. A reduction in MCT2 expression correlates with increased food intake and significant weight gain in rats. Impaired lactate uptake in POMC and NPY neurons could affect POMC activation and reduce NPY inhibition, suggesting that lactate plays a role in regulating feeding behavior and energy balance, with potential implications for the treatment of metabolic disorders.