Astrocytes are the most abundant glial cell in the central nervous system and are involved in multiple processes including metabolic homeostasis, blood brain barrier regulation and neuronal crosstalk. Astrocytes are the main storage point of glycogen in the brain and it is well established that astrocyte uptake of glutamate and release of lactate prevents neuronal excitability and supports neuronal metabolic function. However, the role of lipid metabolism in astrocytes in relation to neuronal support has been until recently, unclear. Lipids play a fundamental role in astrocyte function, including energy generation, membrane fluidity and cell to cell signaling. There is now emerging evidence that astrocyte storage of lipids in droplets has a crucial physiological and protective role in the central nervous system. This pathway links β-oxidation in astrocytes to inflammation, signalling, oxidative stress and mitochondrial energy generation in neurons. Disruption in lipid metabolism, structure and signalling in astrocytes can lead to pathogenic mechanisms associated with a range of neurological disorders.

星形胶质细胞是中枢神经系统中最丰富的神经胶质细胞，参与多种过程，包括代谢稳态、血脑屏障调节和神经元串扰。星形胶质细胞是大脑中糖原的主要储存点，众所周知，星形胶质细胞摄取谷氨酸和释放乳酸可防止神经元兴奋并支持神经元代谢功能。然而，直到最近，星形胶质细胞中脂质代谢与神经元支持相关的作用还不清楚。脂质在星形胶质细胞功能中发挥着重要作用，包括能量产生、膜流动性和细胞间信号传导。现在有新的证据表明，星形胶质细胞在液滴中储存脂质在中枢神经系统中具有重要的生理和保护作用。该通路将星形胶质细胞中的 β-氧化与神经元中的炎症、信号传导、氧化应激和线粒体能量产生联系起来。星形胶质细胞中脂质代谢、结构和信号传导的破坏可导致与一系列神经系统疾病相关的致病机制。