Metabotrophic potential of neurotrophins:implication in obesity and related diseases?

Abstract

In addition to their stimulatory action on neuronal differentiation and survival, the neurotrophins nerve growth factor (NGF) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) improve glucose and lipid metabolism and control energy balance and feeding behavior. These latter activities are referred to here as the metabotrophic potential of neurotrophins. We recently reported that circulating NGF and BDNF levels are reduced in the metabolic syndrome and in acute coronary syndromes, and that the tissue content of NGF is reduced in atherosclerotic coronary arteries. Thus we hypothesize that a metabotrophic deficit due to reduction of neurotrophin availability may be implicated in the pathogenesis of obesity and related metabolic diseases, such as metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes, and atherosclerosis. The metabotrophic deficit hypothesis also considers metabolism-related beneficial effects exerted by other neurotrophic factors, particularly ciliary neurotrophic factor, leukemia inhibitory factor, and bone morphogenetic proteins.

• Authors: George N Chaldakov, Marco Fiore, Mariana G Hristova, Luigi Aloe
• Journal: Medical science monitor : international medical journal of experimental and clinical research (Med Sci Monit) Vol. 9 Issue 10 Pg. HY19-21 (Oct 2003) ISSN: 1234-1010 [Print] United States
• PMID: 14523335 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Review)

Chemical References

• Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor
• Nerve Growth Factors
• Nerve Growth Factor
• Glucose

Topics

• Arteriosclerosis (metabolism)
• Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (blood)
• Diabetes Mellitus (metabolism)
• Glucose (metabolism)
• Humans
• Lipid Metabolism
• Nerve Growth Factor (blood)
• Nerve Growth Factors (metabolism)
• Obesity (etiology, metabolism)