Abstract
Orexin A (OXA) and orexin B (OXB) are recently discovered neuropeptides that appear to play a role in various distinct functions such as arousal and the sleep-wake cycle as well as on appetite and regulation of feeding and energy homeostasis. Orexins were first described as neuropeptides expressed by a specific population of neurons in the lateral hypothalamic area, a region classically implicated in feeding behaviour. Orexin neurons project to numerous brain regions, where orexin receptors have been shown to be widely distributed: both OXA and OXB act through two subtypes of receptors (OX1R and OX2R) that belong to the G protein-coupled superfamily of receptors. Growing evidence indicates that orexins act in the central nervous system also to regulate gastrointestinal functions: animal studies have indeed demonstrated that centrally-injected orexins or endogenously released orexins in the brain stimulates gastric secretion and influence gastrointestinal motility. The subsequent identification of orexins and their receptors in the enteric nervous system (including the myenteric and the submucosal plexuses) as well as in mucosa and smooth muscles has suggested that these neuropeptides may also play a local action. In this view, emerging studies indicate that orexins also exert region-specific contractile or relaxant effects on isolated gut preparations. The aim of the proposed review is to summarize both centrallyand peripherally-mediated actions of orexins on gastrointestinal functions and to discuss the related physiological role on the basis of the most recent findings.
Keywords: Orexin, gastrointestinal
Current Protein & Peptide Science
Title: Orexins and Gastrointestinal Functions
Volume: 11 Issue: 2
Author(s): M. C. Baccari
Affiliation:
Keywords: Orexin, gastrointestinal
Abstract: Orexin A (OXA) and orexin B (OXB) are recently discovered neuropeptides that appear to play a role in various distinct functions such as arousal and the sleep-wake cycle as well as on appetite and regulation of feeding and energy homeostasis. Orexins were first described as neuropeptides expressed by a specific population of neurons in the lateral hypothalamic area, a region classically implicated in feeding behaviour. Orexin neurons project to numerous brain regions, where orexin receptors have been shown to be widely distributed: both OXA and OXB act through two subtypes of receptors (OX1R and OX2R) that belong to the G protein-coupled superfamily of receptors. Growing evidence indicates that orexins act in the central nervous system also to regulate gastrointestinal functions: animal studies have indeed demonstrated that centrally-injected orexins or endogenously released orexins in the brain stimulates gastric secretion and influence gastrointestinal motility. The subsequent identification of orexins and their receptors in the enteric nervous system (including the myenteric and the submucosal plexuses) as well as in mucosa and smooth muscles has suggested that these neuropeptides may also play a local action. In this view, emerging studies indicate that orexins also exert region-specific contractile or relaxant effects on isolated gut preparations. The aim of the proposed review is to summarize both centrallyand peripherally-mediated actions of orexins on gastrointestinal functions and to discuss the related physiological role on the basis of the most recent findings.
Export Options
About this article
Cite this article as:
Baccari C. M., Orexins and Gastrointestinal Functions, Current Protein & Peptide Science 2010; 11 (2) . https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138920310790848377
DOI https://dx.doi.org/10.2174/138920310790848377 |
Print ISSN 1389-2037 |
Publisher Name Bentham Science Publisher |
Online ISSN 1875-5550 |
Call for Papers in Thematic Issues
Advancements in Proteomic and Peptidomic Approaches in Cancer Immunotherapy: Unveiling the Immune Microenvironment
The scope of this thematic issue centers on the integration of proteomic and peptidomic technologies into the field of cancer immunotherapy, with a particular emphasis on exploring the tumor immune microenvironment. This issue aims to gather contributions that illustrate the application of these advanced methodologies in unveiling the complex interplay ...read more
Artificial Intelligence for Protein Research
Protein research, essential for understanding biological processes and creating therapeutics, faces challenges due to the intricate nature of protein structures and functions. Traditional methods are limited in exploring the vast protein sequence space efficiently. Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) offer promising solutions by improving predictions and speeding up ...read more
Nutrition and Metabolism in Musculoskeletal Diseases
The musculoskeletal system consists mainly of cartilage, bone, muscles, tendons, connective tissue and ligaments. Balanced metabolism is of vital importance for the homeostasis of the musculoskeletal system. A series of musculoskeletal diseases (for example, sarcopenia, osteoporosis) are resulted from the dysregulated metabolism of the musculoskeletal system. Furthermore, metabolic diseases (such ...read more
Protein Folding, Aggregation and Liquid-Liquid Phase Separation
Protein folding, misfolding and aggregation remain one of the main problems of interdisciplinary science not only because many questions are still open, but also because they are important from the point of view of practical application. Protein aggregation and formation of fibrillar structures, for example, is a hallmark of a ...read more
Related Journals
- 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
-
Design and Synthesis of Some Novel Estrogen Receptor Modulators as Anti-Breast Cancer Agents: In Vitro & In Vivo Screening, Docking Analysis
Anti-Cancer Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Design, Synthesis and Pharmacological Evaluation of HIV-1 Reverse Transcriptase Inhibition of New Indolin-2-Ones
Medicinal Chemistry Insights into the Structural Features Essential for JAK2 Inhibition and Selectivity
Current Medicinal Chemistry Editorial [ Hot topic: Aquaporins and Nervous System: from Bench to Bedside (Guest Editors: Rita Rezzani and Luigi F. Rodella) ]
Current Neuropharmacology Parkinson's Disease: A Role for the Immune System
Current Molecular Pharmacology High Throughput Sonication: Evaluation for Compound Solubilization
Combinatorial Chemistry & High Throughput Screening Sequential Comorbidity of Anxiety and Depression in Youth: Present Knowledge and Future Directions
Current Psychiatry Reviews Management of Inflammatory Bowel Disease Using Stem Cell Therapy
Current Stem Cell Research & Therapy Dipeptidyl Peptidase IV Inhibitors: The Next Generation of New Promising Therapies for the Management of Type 2 Diabetes
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry The Crystal Structures of <i>Thermomyces (Humicola) Lanuginosa</i> Lipase in Complex with Enzymatic Reactants
Current Enzyme Inhibition Aquaporins and Glia
Current Neuropharmacology Current Trends in Using Internet and Mobile Technology to Support the Treatment of Substance Use Disorders
Current Drug Abuse Reviews Genes of Human Longevity: An Endless Quest?
Current Vascular Pharmacology Epigenetics: Relations to Disease and Laboratory Findings
Current Medicinal Chemistry An Ion Channel Chip for Diagnosis and Prognosis of Autoimmune Neurological Disorders
Recent Patents on CNS Drug Discovery (Discontinued) Pharmacology of CCKRs and SAR Studies of Peptidic Analog Ligands
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Melatonin Attenuates Methamphetamine-Induced Neurotoxicity
Current Pharmaceutical Design Opioid Receptor Ligands Derived from Food Proteins
Current Pharmaceutical Design P2X7 Receptor-Associated Programmed Cell Death in the Pathophysiology of Hemorrhagic Stroke
Current Neuropharmacology Opioid Use and Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia
Current Respiratory Medicine Reviews