Roles for melanocortins and leptin in adipose tissue apoptosis and fat deposition.

Abstract

Leptin has a wide range of effects on physiological functions related to the regulation of body energy balance. Many of leptin's effects are mediated through neuropeptide-containing neurons and neuropeptide receptors in the hypothalamus. The melanocortin system includes both agonist (alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone, alphaMSH) and antagonist peptides (agouti related peptide, AGRP). Increased melanocortin receptor stimulation following leptin administration plays an important role in leptin-induced hypophagia and increased sympathetic nervous system activity and is partly responsible for leptin-induced weight loss. However, melanocortins do not appear to mediate some of the more striking centrally-mediated effects of leptin on adipose tissue, including adipose tissue apoptosis, that lead to the extensive depletion of fat.

• Authors: Mary Anne Della-Fera, Clifton A Baile
• Journal: Peptides (Peptides) Vol. 26 Issue 10 Pg. 1782-7 (Oct 2005) ISSN: 0196-9781 [Print] United States
• PMID: 16002187 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Review)

Chemical References

• Leptin
• alpha-MSH

Topics

• Adipose Tissue (cytology, metabolism, physiology)
• Animals
• Apoptosis (physiology)
• Central Nervous System (cytology, metabolism, physiology)
• Humans
• Leptin (physiology)
• alpha-MSH (physiology)