AI Article Synopsis
Article Abstract
Purpose Of Review: Cachexia occurs in various inflammatory diseases and is characterized by weight loss and muscle wasting. Pro-inflammatory cytokines modulate the activity of neuropeptides and hormones that control energy homeostasis and/or illness behaviors. This review summarizes recent (published within the past 18 months) literature regarding neuropeptides and hormones that have been implicated in the pathophysiology of cachexia, and that are likely to have therapeutic potential for preventing or reversing cachexia in various disease states.
Recent Findings: Hypothalamic pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) and agouti-related protein (AgRP) neurons are downstream targets for pro-inflammatory cytokines. Genetic or pharmacological blockade of melanocortin receptor signaling preserves lean body mass and attenuates anorexia in experimental models of cachexia. Orally available melanocortin receptor antagonists have been developed and tested in cachectic animals with favorable results. Ghrelin and ghrelin mimetics increase appetite and preserve lean body mass in cachectic patients with diverse underlying diseases. Additional neuropeptide-expressing neurons in the hypothalamus (e.g., orexin neurons) might play a role in cachexia-associated lethargy.
Summary: Promising outcomes from recent preclinical studies and/or early clinical trials with melanocortin receptor antagonists and ghrelin mimetics raise hopes that safe and effective anti-cachexia drugs will soon become available for widespread clinical use.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3063098 | PMC |
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/SPC.0b013e32833e48e7 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Medial hypothalamic MC3R signalling regulates energy rheostasis in adult mice.
J Physiol
December 2024
Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA.
Although mammals resist both acute weight loss and weight gain, the neural circuitry mediating bi-directional defense against weight change is incompletely understood. Global constitutive deletion of the melanocortin-3-receptor (MC3R) impairs the behavioural response to both anorexic and orexigenic stimuli, with MC3R knockout mice demonstrating increased weight gain following anabolic challenges and increased weight loss following anorexic challenges (i.e.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe ameliorating effect of intermittent fasting on intestinal glucagon-like peptide 1 in rats fed a high-fat diet via the Farnesoid X receptor and the Melanocortin-4 receptor.
Life Sci
December 2024
Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Mansoura University, Egypt. Electronic address:
Obesity and its associated intestinal inflammatory responses represent a significant global challenge. (IF) is a dietary intervention demonstrating various health benefits, including weight loss, enhanced metabolic health, and increased longevity. However, its effect on the intestinal inflammation induced by high-fat diet (HFD) is still not fully comprehended.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMelanocortin 4 receptor mutation in obesity.
World J Exp Med
December 2024
Department of Internal Medicine, Gayatri Vidya Parishad Institute of Healthcare and Medical Technology, Visakhapatnam 530048, Andhra Pradesh, India.
Obesity is increasingly prevalent worldwide, with genetic factors contributing to its development. The hypothalamic leptin-melanocortin pathway is central to the regulation of appetite and weight; leptin activates the proopiomelanocortin neurons, leading to the production of melanocortin peptides; these in turn act on melanocortin 4 receptors (MC4R) which suppress appetite and increase energy expenditure. MC4R mutations are responsible for syndromic and non-syndromic obesity.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFComparison of melanocortin-4 reptor and α-melanoside stimulated hormone levels in healthy female volunteers and female patients with and without sexual functional disorders related to the use of selective serotonin reaptake inhibitors.
Sex Med
December 2024
Department of Biochemistry, Etlik City Hospital, Ankara, 06170, Turkey.
Background: Sexual dysfunction (SD) due to Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI) use is a common condition encountered by psychiatrists and its etiology has not been fully elucidated.
Aim: To determine the relationship between alpha Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone (α-MSH) and Melanocortin-4 receptor (MCR4) levels and sexual function levels of patients with and without SSRI related SD and control group and to examine whether α-MSH and MCR4 play a role in the etiology of SSRI related SD.
Methods: A total of 92 patients and 49 healthy volunteers who applied to psychiatry outpatient clinic were included in the study.
The expanding landscape of genetic causes of obesity.
Pediatr Res
December 2024
Division of Molecular Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.
Obesity and weight regulation disorders are determined by the combined effects of genetics and environment. Polygenic obesity results from the combination of common variants in several genes which predisposes the individual to obesity and its related complications. In contrast, monogenic obesity results from changes in single genes, especially those in leptin-melanocortin pathway, and presents with early onset severe obesity, with or without other syndromic features.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWant AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!