Abstract
Obesity, a condition already at epidemic proportions in the developed world, is largely attributable to an indulgent lifestyle. Biologically we feel hunger more acutely than feeling ;full-up; (satiety). The discovery over a decade ago of leptin, an adiposity signal, revolutionised our understanding of hypothalamic mechanisms underpinning the central control of ingestive behaviour. The structure and function of many hypothalamic peptides (Neuropeptide Y (NPY), Melanocortins, Agouti related peptide (AGRP), Cocaine and amphetamine regulated transcript (CART), Melanin concentrating hormone (MCH), Orexins and endocannabinoids) have been characterised in rodent models. The pharmacological potential of several endogenous peripheral peptides released prior to, during and/or after feeding are being explored. Short-term signal hormones including Cholecystokinin (CCK), Ghrelin, Peptide YY (PYY3-36) and Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) control meal size via pathways converging on the hypothalamus. Long-term regulation is provided by the main circulating hormones leptin and insulin. These systems among others, implicated in hypothalamic appetite regulation all provide potential “drugable” targets by which to treat obesity.
Keywords: food intake, obesity, energy homeostasis, hypothalamus
Current Drug Targets
Title: The Hypothalamus and Obesity
Volume: 6 Issue: 2
Author(s): Peter J. King
Affiliation:
Keywords: food intake, obesity, energy homeostasis, hypothalamus
Abstract: Obesity, a condition already at epidemic proportions in the developed world, is largely attributable to an indulgent lifestyle. Biologically we feel hunger more acutely than feeling ;full-up; (satiety). The discovery over a decade ago of leptin, an adiposity signal, revolutionised our understanding of hypothalamic mechanisms underpinning the central control of ingestive behaviour. The structure and function of many hypothalamic peptides (Neuropeptide Y (NPY), Melanocortins, Agouti related peptide (AGRP), Cocaine and amphetamine regulated transcript (CART), Melanin concentrating hormone (MCH), Orexins and endocannabinoids) have been characterised in rodent models. The pharmacological potential of several endogenous peripheral peptides released prior to, during and/or after feeding are being explored. Short-term signal hormones including Cholecystokinin (CCK), Ghrelin, Peptide YY (PYY3-36) and Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) control meal size via pathways converging on the hypothalamus. Long-term regulation is provided by the main circulating hormones leptin and insulin. These systems among others, implicated in hypothalamic appetite regulation all provide potential “drugable” targets by which to treat obesity.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
King J. Peter, The Hypothalamus and Obesity, Current Drug Targets 2005; 6 (2) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1389450053174587
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1389450053174587 |
Print ISSN 1389-4501 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1873-5592 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
New drug therapy for eye diseases
Eyesight is one of the most critical senses, accounting for over 80% of our perceptions. Our quality of life might be significantly affected by eye disease, including glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, dry eye, etc. Although the development of microinvasive ocular surgery reduces surgical complications and improves overall outcomes, medication therapy is ...read more
- Author Guidelines
- Graphical Abstracts
- Fabricating and Stating False Information
- Research Misconduct
- Post Publication Discussions and Corrections
- Publishing Ethics and Rectitude
- Increase Visibility of Your Article
- Archiving Policies
- Peer Review Workflow
- Order Your Article Before Print
- Promote Your Article
- Manuscript Transfer Facility
- Editorial Policies
- Allegations from Whistleblowers
Related Articles
-
Pulmonary Embolism and Pregnancy
Current Women`s Health Reviews Endocannabinoids and Their Receptors: Physiology, Pathology and Pharmacology
Immunology, Endocrine & Metabolic Agents in Medicinal Chemistry (Discontinued) A Novel Method for Screening of Anti-Cancer Drugs: Availability of Screening in Acidic Medium
Recent Patents on Biomedical Engineering (Discontinued) Administration of Exogenous Surfactant and Cytosolic Phospholipase A2α Inhibitors may Help COVID-19 Infected Patients with Chronic Diseases
Coronaviruses Bio-Distribution, Imaging Protocols and Diagnostic Accuracy of PET with Tracers of Lipogenesis in Imaging Prostate Cancer: a Comparison between 11C-Choline, 18FFluoroethylcholine and 18F-Methylcholine
Current Pharmaceutical Design Bryostatin-1 Synergizes with Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors to Reactivate HIV-1 from Latency
Current HIV Research lncRNA HOTAIR, HOXC11 and HOXC12 Gene Expressions are Upregulated in CaCo2 Cells Treated with P31-43 Toxic Peptide
Current Signal Transduction Therapy Approaches to Gastrointestinal Cytoprotection: From Isolated Cells, Via Animal Experiments to Healthy Human Subjects and Patients with Different Gastrointestinal Disorders
Current Pharmaceutical Design Colon as Target for Drug Delivery
Current Drug Therapy Targeting Gene Therapy for Prostate Cancer
Current Pharmaceutical Design Potential Targets for Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Allergic Activities of Marine Algae: An Overview
Inflammation & Allergy - Drug Targets (Discontinued) α-Secretase in Alzheimers Disease and Beyond: Mechanistic, Regulation and Function in the Shedding of Membrane Proteins
Current Alzheimer Research Polyphenols Beyond Barriers: A Glimpse into the Brain
Current Neuropharmacology BDNF/NF-κB Signaling in the Neurobiology of Depression
Current Pharmaceutical Design Optical Image-Guided Cancer Therapy
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Inhibitors of the Sphingosine Kinase Pathway as Potential Therapeutics
Current Cancer Drug Targets Therapeutic Strategies in Autoimmune Diseases by Interfering with Leukocyte Endothelium Interaction
Current Pharmaceutical Design Melatonin Therapy of Pediatric Sleep Disorders: Recent Advances, Why it Works, Who are the Candidates and How to Treat
Current Pediatric Reviews Impact of COX-2 Inhibitors in Common Clinical Practice a Gastroenterologists Perspective
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Novel Anti-inflammatory Interleukin-35 as an Emerging Target for Antiatherosclerotic Therapy
Current Pharmaceutical Design