Abstract
Over the last decade, understanding of the circuits and molecules involved in the regulation of energy balance has expanded dramatically. A complex system has evolved which allows the brain to read, interpret and integrate a wide range of signals and to elicit appropriate changes in food intake and energy expenditure as a result of the information. A series of shortterm signals derived from the gastrointestinal tract, such as cholecystokinin, govern meal size. Other hormones e.g. insulin and leptin, and circulating nutrients offer long-term regulation. These signals act at a variety of central nervous system sites, but the majority of pathways converge on the hypothalamus, which itself contains numerous peptides and neurotransmitters that influence feeding and energy expenditure. Mutations in key components of these circuits underlie some of the syndromes of genetic obesity in rodents, but are responsible for only a small percentage of human obesity - which is largely attributed to an adverse lifestyle. However, various abnormalities have been identified in dietary-obese rodents, which is the closest model to common human obesity. The relevance of these to energy homeostasis in humans remains uncertain, but some are likely to emerge as therapeutic targets for the treatment of both obesity and eating disorders.
Keywords: gastrointestinal, dietary-obese, cholecystokinin
Current Drug Targets
Title: Hypothalamic Control of Energy Balance
Volume: 5 Issue: 3
Author(s): Joanne A. Harrold
Affiliation:
Keywords: gastrointestinal, dietary-obese, cholecystokinin
Abstract: Over the last decade, understanding of the circuits and molecules involved in the regulation of energy balance has expanded dramatically. A complex system has evolved which allows the brain to read, interpret and integrate a wide range of signals and to elicit appropriate changes in food intake and energy expenditure as a result of the information. A series of shortterm signals derived from the gastrointestinal tract, such as cholecystokinin, govern meal size. Other hormones e.g. insulin and leptin, and circulating nutrients offer long-term regulation. These signals act at a variety of central nervous system sites, but the majority of pathways converge on the hypothalamus, which itself contains numerous peptides and neurotransmitters that influence feeding and energy expenditure. Mutations in key components of these circuits underlie some of the syndromes of genetic obesity in rodents, but are responsible for only a small percentage of human obesity - which is largely attributed to an adverse lifestyle. However, various abnormalities have been identified in dietary-obese rodents, which is the closest model to common human obesity. The relevance of these to energy homeostasis in humans remains uncertain, but some are likely to emerge as therapeutic targets for the treatment of both obesity and eating disorders.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Harrold A. Joanne, Hypothalamic Control of Energy Balance, Current Drug Targets 2004; 5 (3) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1389450043490460
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1389450043490460 |
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
-
Protein Kinase C Isozymes as Potential Targets for Anticancer Therapy
Current Cancer Drug Targets Neuro-Psychiatric Alterations in Patients with Diabetic Foot Syndrome
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Genetic Alterations in Differentiated Thyroid Cancers
Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Disorders - Drug Targets “Self-Antigenic Universe” and Tuberculosis Vaccine Development
Current Pharmacogenomics and Personalized Medicine Stem Cell-Based Therapies: A New Ray of Hope for Diabetic Patients
Current Stem Cell Research & Therapy In Vitro Inhibition of Key Enzymes Related to Diabetes by the Aqueous Extracts of Some Fruits of West Bengal, India
Current Nutrition & Food Science Coronary Artery Disease in Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease: A Clinical Update
Current Cardiology Reviews Modeling and Analyzing the Effects of Crosstalk in a Biochemical Pathway: A Study on Human mTOR Signaling Pathway
Current Bioinformatics Cannabinoid Receptor G Protein-Coupling and Inverse Agonism
Current Neuropharmacology Onychomycosis and its Chemotherapy
Current Medicinal Chemistry Human Umbilical Cord Blood as an Emerging Stem Cell Therapy for Diabetes Mellitus
Current Stem Cell Research & Therapy Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Bipolar Disorder - Almost Forgotten Therapeutic Drug Targets in the Unfolded Protein Response Pathway Revisited
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets The Toxicogenetics of Antirretroviral Therapy: The Evil Inside
Current Medicinal Chemistry Effect of Fetal and Neonatal Hypothyroidism on Glucose Tolerance in Middle- Aged Female Rats
Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Disorders - Drug Targets Ureas: Applications in Drug Design
Current Medicinal Chemistry Methods for Evaluating Sensory, Affective and Cognitive Disorders in Neuropathic Rodents
Current Neuropharmacology The Association of Folic Acid Deficiency and Diabetic Nephropathy in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Disorders - Drug Targets The Involvement of Growth Hormone (GH), Insulin-Like Growth Factors (IGFs) and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) in Diabetic Kidney Disease
Current Pharmaceutical Design Germ Cell Apoptosis: Relevance to Infertility and Contraception
Immunology, Endocrine & Metabolic Agents in Medicinal Chemistry (Discontinued) Calcium Related Genes in Dogs as Potential Cardiac Biomarkers for the Detection of Chronic Mitral Valve Disease
Recent Patents on Biomarkers