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Research and prospect of peptides for use in obesity treatment (Review)
Yao Gao1, Xuewen Yuan1, Ziyang Zhu1
1Department of Endocrinology, Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210008, P.R. China.
Abstract:
Obesity and its related diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular disease, are steadily increasing worldwide. Over the past few decades, numerous studies have focused on the differentiation and function of brown and beige fat, providing evidence for their therapeutic potential in treating obesity. However, no specific novel drug has been developed to treat obesity in this way. Peptides are a class of chemically active substances, which are linked together by amino acids using peptide bonds. They have specific physiological activities, including browning of white fat. As signal molecules regulated by the neuroendocrine system, the role of polypeptides, such as neuropeptide Y, brain-gut peptide and glucagon-like peptide in obesity and its related complications has been revealed. Notably, with the rapid development of peptidomics, peptide drugs have been widely used in the prevention and treatment of metabolic diseases, due to their short half-life, small apparent distribution volume, low toxicity and low side effects. The present review summarizes the progress and the new trend of peptide research, which may provide novel targets for the prevention and treatment of obesity.
Insights
Peptide research shows promise for treating obesity by targeting brown fat. These molecules offer a new therapeutic avenue for metabolic diseases due to their favorable drug properties.
Area of Science:
- Metabolic research
- Endocrinology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Rising global prevalence of obesity and associated conditions like type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease.
- Extensive research into brown and beige fat highlights their therapeutic potential for obesity treatment.
- Lack of novel drugs specifically targeting obesity through fat browning mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current progress and emerging trends in peptide research for obesity treatment.
- To explore the potential of peptides as therapeutic agents for metabolic diseases.
- To identify novel targets for obesity prevention and management.
Main Methods:
- Review of scientific literature on peptide function, peptidomics, and their role in metabolic regulation.
- Analysis of studies investigating peptide signaling in obesity and related complications.
- Examination of the pharmacological properties of peptide drugs.
Main Results:
- Peptides exhibit physiological activities, including the browning of white fat, a key mechanism in obesity treatment.
- Specific polypeptides like neuropeptide Y and glucagon-like peptide are implicated in obesity.
- Peptide drugs demonstrate advantages such as short half-life, low toxicity, and minimal side effects.
Conclusions:
- Peptide research offers a promising frontier for developing novel obesity treatments.
- The unique properties of peptides make them suitable candidates for managing metabolic diseases.
- Further investigation into peptide targets could lead to effective obesity prevention and therapeutic strategies.
