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Bowels control brain: gut hormones and obesity
Benjamin C T Field1, Owais B Chaudhri, Stephen R Bloom
1Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Campus, Du Cane Road, London W12 0NN, UK.
Nature Reviews. Endocrinology
|June 30, 2010
Summary
The brain regulates food intake and energy using signals from gut hormones. This review explores peptide YY, glucagon-like peptide 1, and ghrelin for potential obesity treatments.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Endocrinology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- The brain's homeostatic regulation of food intake and energy expenditure integrates hormonal, neuronal, and metabolic signals.
- The gastrointestinal tract releases crucial signaling hormones from enteroendocrine cells, influencing appetite and energy balance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the physiological roles of key gastrointestinal hormones.
- To discuss the therapeutic potential of these hormones for obesity treatment.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of physiological roles of specific gut hormones.
- Analysis of potential therapeutic targets for obesity.
Main Results:
- Hormones such as peptide YY, pancreatic polypeptide, islet amyloid polypeptide, glucagon-like peptide 1, glucagon, oxyntomodulin, cholecystokinin, and ghrelin play significant roles in appetite regulation.
- These hormones represent promising targets for novel obesity interventions.
Conclusions:
- Understanding the complex interplay of gut hormones is crucial for developing effective obesity treatments.
- Targeting specific gut hormones offers a potential strategy for managing obesity and metabolic disorders.
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