Vol 61, No 2 (2010)
Review paper
Submitted: 2013-02-15
Published online: 2010-05-12
Neuroendocrine body weight regulation: integration between fat tissue, gastrointestinal tract, and the brain
César Luiz Boguszewski, Gilberto Paz-Filho, Licio A. Velloso
Endokrynol Pol 2010;61(2):194-206.
Vol 61, No 2 (2010)
Review Article
Submitted: 2013-02-15
Published online: 2010-05-12
Abstract
Human body weight is maintained at a fairly stable level regardless of changes in energy intake and energy expenditure. Compensatory
mechanisms within the central nervous system (CNS), which regulate food intake and energy expenditure, are triggered by other central
and peripheral signals. Peripherally, the main sources of those signals are the adipose tissue, gastrointestinal tract, and pancreas. The main
signal originating from the adipose tissue is leptin, which promotes the activation of anorexigenic pathways in the CNS. Similarly, the
central action of insulin also reduces food intake and stimulates catabolic pathways. The gastrointestinal tract contributes with several
peptides that influence food intake, such as ghrelin, glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), peptide YY (PYY), oxyntomodulin (OXM), and
cholecystokinin (CCK). Other substances secreted by the pancreas, such as pancreatic polypeptide (PP) and amylin, a hormone co-secreted
with insulin, also affect energy balance. More recently, the endocannabinoid system has also been identified as a contributor in the
maintenance of energy balance. Better understanding of these mechanistic systems involved in the regulation of energy metabolism will
hopefully lead to the development of new therapeutic approaches against obesity, metabolic syndrome, and other nutritional disorders.
(Pol J Endocrinol 2010; 61 (2): 194-206)
Abstract
Human body weight is maintained at a fairly stable level regardless of changes in energy intake and energy expenditure. Compensatory
mechanisms within the central nervous system (CNS), which regulate food intake and energy expenditure, are triggered by other central
and peripheral signals. Peripherally, the main sources of those signals are the adipose tissue, gastrointestinal tract, and pancreas. The main
signal originating from the adipose tissue is leptin, which promotes the activation of anorexigenic pathways in the CNS. Similarly, the
central action of insulin also reduces food intake and stimulates catabolic pathways. The gastrointestinal tract contributes with several
peptides that influence food intake, such as ghrelin, glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), peptide YY (PYY), oxyntomodulin (OXM), and
cholecystokinin (CCK). Other substances secreted by the pancreas, such as pancreatic polypeptide (PP) and amylin, a hormone co-secreted
with insulin, also affect energy balance. More recently, the endocannabinoid system has also been identified as a contributor in the
maintenance of energy balance. Better understanding of these mechanistic systems involved in the regulation of energy metabolism will
hopefully lead to the development of new therapeutic approaches against obesity, metabolic syndrome, and other nutritional disorders.
(Pol J Endocrinol 2010; 61 (2): 194-206)
Keywords
central nerwous system; obesity; pancreas
Title
Neuroendocrine body weight regulation: integration between fat tissue, gastrointestinal tract, and the brain
Journal
Endokrynologia Polska
Issue
Vol 61, No 2 (2010)
Article type
Review paper
Pages
194-206
Published online
2010-05-12
Page views
1128
Article views/downloads
2403
Bibliographic record
Endokrynol Pol 2010;61(2):194-206.
Keywords
central nerwous system
obesity
pancreas
Authors
César Luiz Boguszewski
Gilberto Paz-Filho
Licio A. Velloso
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