Communication between the periphery and the brain is key for maintaining energy homeostasis. To do so, peripheral signals from the circulation reach the brain via the circumventricular organs (CVOs), which are characterized by fenestrated vessels lacking the protective blood–brain barrier (BBB). Glial cells, by virtue of their plasticity and their ideal location at the interface of blood vessels and neurons, participate in the integration and transmission of peripheral information to neuronal networks in the brain for the neuroendocrine control of whole-body metabolism. Metabolic diseases, such as obesity and type 2 diabetes, can disrupt the brain-to-periphery communication mediated by glial cells, highlighting the relevance of these cell types in the pathophysiology of such complications. An improved understanding of how glial cells integrate and respond to metabolic and humoral signals has become a priority for the discovery of promising therapeutic strategies to treat metabolic disorders. This Review highlights the role of glial cells in the exchange of metabolic signals between the periphery and the brain that are relevant for the regulation of whole-body energy homeostasis.

外周和大脑之间的交流是维持能量稳态的关键。为此，来自循环的外周信号通过脑室周围器官 (CVO) 到达大脑，其特征是有孔的血管缺乏保护性血脑屏障 (BBB)。神经胶质细胞凭借其可塑性及其理想位置在血管和神经元的交界处，参与将外周信息整合和传递至脑内神经元网络，实现全身代谢的神经内分泌控制。代谢性疾病，如肥胖症和 2 型糖尿病，可以破坏神经胶质细胞介导的大脑与外周通信，突出显示这些细胞类型在此类并发症的病理生理学中的相关性。更好地了解神经胶质细胞如何整合和响应代谢和体液信号已成为发现治疗代谢紊乱的有前途的治疗策略的优先事项。这篇综述强调了神经胶质细胞在外周和大脑之间交换与全身能量稳态调节相关的代谢信号中的作用。