Abstract
Purpose of review: The neurohypophysial endocrine system is identified here as a potential target for therapeutic interventions toward improving obesity-related metabolic dysfunction, given its coinciding pleiotropic effects on psychological, neurological and metabolic systems that are disrupted in obesity.
Recent findings: Copeptin, the C-terminal portion of the precursor of arginine-vasopressin, is positively associated with body mass index and risk of type 2 diabetes. Plasma oxytocin is decreased in obesity and several other conditions of abnormal glucose homeostasis. Recent data also show non-classical tissues, such as myocytes, hepatocytes and β-cells, exhibit responses to oxytocin and vasopressin receptor binding that may contribute to alterations in metabolic function.
Summary: The modulation of anorexigenic and orexigenic pathways appears to be the dominant mechanism underlying the effects of oxytocin and vasopressin on body weight regulation; however, there are apparent limitations associated with their use in direct pharmacological applications. A clearer picture of their wider physiological effects is needed before either system can be considered for therapeutic use.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | Current Obesity Reports |
| Volume | 8 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| Pages (from-to) | 301-316 |
| Number of pages | 16 |
| ISSN | 2162-4968 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 15 Sept 2019 |
Keywords
- Faculty of Science
- Insulin resistance
- Beta-cell function
- Energy exoenditure
- Neurohypophysis
- Substrate metabolism
- Vasopressin
