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
-
Nose-to-brain Delivery of Natural Compounds for the Treatment of Central Nervous System Disorders
Current Pharmaceutical Design New Analytical Tools for Studying Autoimmune Diseases
Current Pharmaceutical Design Functions of Fukutin, a Gene Responsible for Fukuyama Type Congenital Muscular Dystrophy, in Neuromuscular System and Other Somatic Organs
Central Nervous System Agents in Medicinal Chemistry Erratum
CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets The Assessment of Some Metabolic Markers by Combination of Ursolic Acid Supplementation and Resistance Training in Young Older Obese Women
Endocrine, Metabolic & Immune Disorders - Drug Targets Muscular Gene Transfer Using Nonviral Vectors
Current Gene Therapy Rectifying Attenuated Store-Operated Calcium Entry as a Therapeutic Approach for Alzheimer’s Disease
Current Alzheimer Research N-Myristoyltransferase: A Novel Target
Mini-Reviews in Medicinal Chemistry Cancer Pharmacogenomics: Germline DNA, Tumor DNA, or Both?
Current Pharmacogenomics Autophagy to the Rescue
Current Neurovascular Research The Role of Food Addiction in Clinical Research
Current Pharmaceutical Design Drug Resistance and Methylation in Myelodysplastic Syndrome
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology Relationship Between Gyrification and Functional Connectivity of the Prefrontal Cortex in Subjects at High Genetic Risk of Schizophrenia
Current Pharmaceutical Design A New “Era” for the α7-nAChR
Current Drug Targets Epidural Analgesia in the Post-Anaesthesia Care Unit
Current Drug Targets Fit to Practice: Augmenting Modular Cognitive Behavioral Procedures with Case Conceptualization
Current Psychiatry Reviews Meet Our Editorial Board Member
Current Neuropharmacology Tumor Targeted Therapies: Strategies for Killing Cancer but not Normal Cells
Current Cancer Therapy Reviews Cancer Kinases and its Novel Inhibitors: Past, Present and Future Challenges
Current Drug Targets Generation of Alzheimer’s Disease Transgenic Zebrafish Expressing Human APP Mutation Under Control of Zebrafish appb Promotor
Current Alzheimer Research