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
-
Renin-angiotensin System Blockers and Modulation of Radiation-Induced Brain Injury
Current Drug Targets Solid Lipid Nanoparticles (SLNs) as a Rising Tool in Drug Delivery Science: One Step Up in Nanotechnology
Current Nanoscience Angiogenesis Inhibitors and Vascular Disrupting Agents in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Current Medicinal Chemistry Aldo-Keto Reductase Family 1 Member B10 Inhibitors: Potential Drugs for Cancer Treatment
Recent Patents on Anti-Cancer Drug Discovery Cerebrovascular and Blood-Brain Barrier Morphology in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats: Effect of Treatment with Choline Alphoscerate
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Anti-VEGF Strategies – from Antibodies to Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors: Background and Clinical Development in Human Cancer
Current Pharmaceutical Design Meet Our Editorial Board Member
Current Drug Targets Role of Sulfur Containing Amino Acids as an Adjuvant Therapy in the Prevention of Diabetes and its Associated Complications
Current Diabetes Reviews Optical Image-Guided Cancer Therapy
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Nutrition and Bone Health: Its Relationship to Osteoporosis
Current Nutrition & Food Science Small Molecule Inhibitors of Stat3 Signaling Pathway
Current Cancer Drug Targets An Overview of Pathogenesis and Pathophysiology in Endometriosis
Current Women`s Health Reviews Targeting TNF-Alpha to Elucidate and Ameliorate Neuroinflammation in Neurodegenerative Diseases
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets Prophylaxis of Cancer
Current Cancer Therapy Reviews Therapeutical Potential of CB<sub>2</sub> Receptors in Immune-Related Diseases
Current Molecular Pharmacology Xenobiotic Metabolising Enzymes: Impact on Pathologic Conditions, Drug Interactions and Drug Design
Current Topics in Medicinal Chemistry Visfatin: Structure, Function and Relation to Diabetes Mellitus and Other Dysfunctions
Current Medicinal Chemistry Targeting Gene Therapy for Prostate Cancer
Current Pharmaceutical Design Vitamin D Receptor is a Novel Drug Target for Ovarian Cancer Treatment
Current Cancer Drug Targets Depression has a Strong Relationship to Alterations in the Immune, Endocrine and Neural System
Current Psychiatry Reviews