orexigenic peptides Flashcards
orexigenic peptides
Peptides having an orexigenic effect – stimulating the appetite or
increasing food intake
Orexigenic peptides Most originally identified in the
– esp as GI
hormones
Orexigenic peptides Many function as both
peptide hormones and as
neuromodulators in the CNS
Many function as both peptide hormones and as
neuromodulators in the CNS (3)
- Neuropeptide Y
- Ghrelin
- Orexins
- Gut-brain axis is responsible for
control
of energy homeostasis
GUT TO THE BRAIN
Microbial-derived signalling molecules
Immune mediators
(cytokines)
Gut hormones
Vagal afferents
Spinal afferents
brain to gut
Sympathetic efferents
Parasympathetic efferents
Neuroendocrine
- Adrenal cortex
- Adrenal
medulla
Leptin
NOT a neuropeptide
Leptin Obese mice (ob
/ob) carried a
recessive mutation leading to
spontaneous hyperphagy and weight
gain
* Later identified as a
mutation in the
leptin gene
Leptin is
orexilytic
orexilytic
increases apetite
Leptin is a 16 kDa (167 amino acids) protein hormone released from
adipose tissue to attenuate appetite
Leptin Release signals from site of energy storage to
decrease caloric
intake
Leptin receptors are found in the
arcuate nucleus of the
hypothalamus (main site of action)
Inability to signal satiety in ob/ob mice leads to
constant hunger
Neuropeptide Y
(NPY) Expressed from the NPY gene as
preproNPY
NPY expression is highest in the
arcuate nucleus of the
hypothalamus
Orexigenic effects of NPY
IV administration of NPY increases food intake in rodents
Agonists of NPY increase
food intake
- IV administration of NPY increases food intake in rodents Hypothalamus has increased permeability of the BBB for
monitoring of
blood-borne hormones and release of hypothalamic hormones
Antagonists of NPY receptors
decrease food intake
Antagonists of NPY receptors decrease food intake 5 types of NPY GPCRs
NPYR 1,5 are orexigenic
* NPYR 2,4 are autoreceptors (selective agonists decrease food intake)
NPY and obesity
Genetically obese mice tend to have high levels of
NPY in the hypothalamus
NPY interacts with
environmental stress
NPY interacts with environmental stress Monkeys subject to chronic stress show
increased NPY
levels
Chronic stress and a high calorie diet lead to increased
abdominal adipose deposits (trunk obesity)
Therapeutic potential of NPY
NPY, as with other neuropeptides, has poor pharmacokinetics
NPY, as with other neuropeptides, has poor pharmacokinetics * Short
half-life in circulation
- NPY, as with other neuropeptides, has poor pharmacokinetics IV administration
required (peptides are both highly hydrophilic and
sensitive to acid hydrolysis)
NPY receptor antagonism leads to
transient effects on NPY
signalling
NPY receptor antagonism leads to transient effects on NPY
signalling Short-term
efficacy only – NPY levels readily compensate for changes
NPY receptor antagonism leads to transient effects on NPY
signalling Pharmacodynamic
tolerance
Ghrelin (GHRL)
GHRL gene expresses preproghrelin and obestatin (which may not have
much to do with obesity)
GHRL functions as a classic
gastrointestinal hormone and is released from
the GI to stimulate hunger
- GHRL is released constitutively but is inhibited by
a mechanosensitive process
when the stomach is stretched
GHRL release
stimulates hunger (orexigenic) and inhibition attenuates hunger
Ghrelin acts at the growth hormone
secretagogue type 1A receptor
(GHSR)
GHSR is expressed widely in the
periphery (esp. vagus nerve) and in
the CNS on NPY secreting cells of the
arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus.
GHSR activation leads to
secretion of
NPY
Orexigenic effects of ghrelin
- Systemic administration of ghrelin
increases food intake
Gastric bypass surgery
decreases
ghrelin levels in obese patients
Ghrelin also interacts with
numerous aspects of mood, stress,
and diet to affect food intake
Ghrelin increases
hedonic aspects
of food intake
GHSR expression in the CNS in addition to the hypothalamus, GHSR is expressed in
the ventral tegmental area, substantia nigra, raphe
nuclei, hippocampus (dentate gyrus)
Ghrelin has pronounced effects on the
e mesolimbic
cholinergic-dopaminergic reward network
Ghrelin has pronounced effects on the mesolimbic
cholinergic-dopaminergic reward network
- Natural role for ghrelin in signalling reinforcing aspects of
food reward