| Theme |
The Gastrointestinal Tract and Appetite Control : Essential Clinical Knowledge |
| Title |
Central Regulation of Feeding Behavior and Gut Peptides |
| Author |
Hiroaki Ueno |
Neurology, Respirology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki |
| Author |
Masamitsu Nakazato |
Neurology, Respirology, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Miyazaki |
| [ Summary ] |
The appetite is regulated complicatedly and artfully by the central nervous system including the hypothalamus and peripheral organs such as the adipose tissue and the gastrointestinal tract. Furthermore, higher centers such as the limbic system and the cerebral neocortex regulate the appetite, particularly in humans, which may develop some food intake disorders, dysregulating their energy balance. Several anorexigenic and orexigenic peptides existing in the central nervous system and the peripheral organs interact through the vagus nerve, bloodstream, and neural networks. Antiobesity drugs based on feeding regulatory mechanisms have been investigated, and some of them are currently being used. In this review, we provide an overview of appetite regulatory mechanisms, mainly linked to the central nervous system, and highlight the functional role of gastrointestinal peptides. |