Implications of Hypothalamic Neural Stem Cells on Aging and Obesity-Associated Cardiovascular Diseases

The hypothalamus, one of the major regulatory centers in the brain, controls various homeostatic processes, and hypothalamic neural stem cells (htNSCs) have been observed to interfere with hypothalamic mechanisms regulating aging. NSCs play a pivotal role in the repair and regeneration of brain cells during neurodegenerative diseases and rejuvenate the brain tissue microenvironment. The hypothalamus was recently observed to be involved in neuroinflammation mediated by cellular senescence. Cellular senescence, or systemic aging, is characterized by a progressive irreversible state of cell cycle arrest that causes physiological dysregulation in the body and it is evident in many neuroinflammatory conditions, including obesity. Upregulation of neuroinflammation and oxidative stress due to senescence has the potential to alter the functioning of NSCs. Various studies have substantiated the chances of obesity inducing accelerated aging. Therefore, it is essential to explore the potential effects of htNSC dysregulation in obesity and underlying pathways to develop strategies to address obesity-induced comorbidities associated with brain aging. This review will summarize hypothalamic neurogenesis associated with obesity and prospective NSC-based regenerative therapy for the treatment of obesity-induced cardiovascular conditions.

Automated summary

The hypothalamus, a major regulatory center in the brain, is involved in the regulation of aging through hypothalamic neural stem cells (htNSCs). Neural stem cells are important for repairing and regenerating brain cells and rejuvenating the brain tissue microenvironment. Cellular senescence, a state of irreversible cell cycle arrest, is associated with neuroinflammation, which can be upregulated by obesity. Obesity has been shown to accelerate aging, highlighting the need to study the dysregulation of htNSCs in obesity and develop strategies to address obesity-induced comorbidities associated with brain aging. This review will summarize hypothalamic neurogenesis in obesity and explore the potential of NSC-based regenerative therapy for obesity-induced cardiovascular conditions.