Methods of reducing food intake and glucose production in a mammal, or restoring hepatic autoregulation are provided. The methods involve increasing long-chain fatty acyl-Co-A (LC-CoA) levels in the hypothalamus, or stimulating efferent fibers in the hepatic branch of the vagus nerve. Also provided are methods of increasing food intake and glucose production in a mammal. The methods involve decreasing long-chain fatty acyl-Co-A (LC-CoA) levels in the hypothalamus of the mammal.