Can neuropeptides treat obesity? A review of neuropeptides and their potential role in the treatment of obesity.

Abstract

UNLABELLED:

Obesity is a major worldwide public health issue. The physiological systems that regulate body weight are thus of great interest as targets for anti-obesity agents. Peptidergic systems are critical to the regulation of energy homeostasis by key regions in the hypothalamus and brainstem. A number of neuropeptide systems have therefore been investigated as potential treatments for obesity. Blocking orexigenic peptide signals such as neuropeptide Y, melanin-concentrating hormone, orexins, relaxin-3 and galanin-like peptide or stimulating anorectic signalling pathways used by peptides such as the melanocortins, ciliary neurotrophic factor and brain-derived neurotrophic factor, are approaches that have shown some promise, but which have also highlighted possible concerns. Manipulation of central peptidergic systems poses a number of therapeutic problems, including brain access and side effects. Given that the homeostatic defence of body weight may limit the effectiveness of any single-target therapy developed, a combination therapy approach may offer the best hope for the effective prevention and treatment of obesity.

LINKED ARTICLES:

This article is part of a themed section on Neuropeptides. To view the other articles in this section visit http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/bph.2013.170.issue-7.

• Authors: C K Boughton, K G Murphy
• Journal: British journal of pharmacology (Br J Pharmacol) Vol. 170 Issue 7 Pg. 1333-48 (Dec 2013) ISSN: 1476-5381 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 23121386 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Review)
• Copyright: © 2012 The Authors. British Journal of Pharmacology © 2012 The British Pharmacological Society.

Chemical References

• Anti-Obesity Agents
• Neuropeptides

Topics

• Animals
• Anti-Obesity Agents (therapeutic use)
• Appetite Regulation (drug effects)
• Body Weight (drug effects)
• Brain (drug effects, metabolism, physiopathology)
• Drug Therapy, Combination
• Feeding Behavior (drug effects)
• Humans
• Neuropeptides (metabolism, therapeutic use)
• Obesity (drug therapy, metabolism, physiopathology)
• Signal Transduction (drug effects)