Influence of microinjection of corticosterone into ventromedial hypothalamus on hepatic acetate metabolism in rabbits

Corticosterone was injected into the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH) of rabbits, and changes in hepatic acetate metabolism were studied. The microinjection of corticosterone with seasame oil into the VMH of intact rabbits increased the rates of 14C transfer from 14C-1-acetate into CO2, glucose, ketone bodies, triglyceride, free cholesterol, free fatty acids and phospholipids but decreased those of 14C transfer into cholesterol ester. However, corticosterone injected into the VMH of rabbits with VMH lesions or the parietal cortex of intact rabbits was without effect on the hepatic acetate metabolism. From these results it might be suggested that the VMH is an integral part of the corticosterone-sensitive brain regulator system in the hepatic acetate metabolism.