Since concentrations of blood glucose represent an important aspect of systemic energy homeostasis, we postulate that fluctuation of glycemia must not be only detected by pancreatic β-cells, and central neuron system (CNS) could monitor and regulate the plasma glucose levels in some stilled undefined mechanisms. In this review, we will summarize recent progress focused in the identification and characterization of actions of central glucose in the regulation of systematic energy homeostasis and glucose homeostasis, which may provide new insights into the prevention and treatment of diabetes.La concentration plasmatique en glucose est un élément important de l’homéostasie énergétique systémique. Cette revue a pour postulat que les fluctuations de glycémie pourraient ne pas être détectées seulement par les cellules bêta du pancréas, et que le système nerveux central (SNC) pourrait détecter et réguler le niveau de glucose plasmatique selon des mécanismes encore non définis. La revue résume les progrès récents concernant l’identification et la caractérisation des actions du glucose au niveau central dans la régulation de l’homéostasie énergétique systémique et de l’homéostasie du glucose, ce qui pourrait fournir de nouvelles perspectives dans la prévention et le traitement du diabète.

Emerging evidence suggests that consumption or supplementation of foods rich in isoflavones may has a beneficial effect on obesity and glucose levels in animals and humans. It has been demonstrated that genistein, the main component of isoflavones, could significantly reduce body weight and fat pad size. However, there is no evidence as to whether daidzein, which is also a main component of isoflavones, has the same effect. We hypothesize that LRXH609 (Dzd; a daidzein derivative) also has an antiobesity effect. In this study, we investigate the effects of Dzd on body weight, adipose tissue, blood, and liver lipid levels in obese mice fed a high-fat diet. Activities of pancreatic lipase and lipoprotein lipase, as well as lipolysis, were verified to clarify the potential mechanism of the daidzein. The results indicate that Dzd can significantly reduce body and fat pad weight and ameliorate the high-fat diet–induced hyperlipoidemia. We also found that Dzd inhibits the activity of pancreatic lipase and lipoprotein lipase in a dose-dependent manner, inhibits the differentiation of rat preadipocytes, and stimulates lipolysis by activating hormone-sensitive lipase.