Peripheral neural targets in obesity

Amanda Page, Erin Symonds, Madusha Peiris, Ashley Blackshaw, Richard Young

    Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

    36 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Interest in pharmacological treatments for obesity that act in the brain to reduce appetite has increased exponentially over recent years, but failures of clinical trials and withdrawals due to adverse effects have so far precluded any success. Treatments that do not act within the brain are, in contrast, a neglected area of research and development. This is despite the fact that a vast wealth of molecular mechanisms exists within the gut epithelium and vagal afferent system that could be manipulated to increase satiety. Here we discuss mechano- and chemosensory pathways from the gut involved in appetite suppression, and distinguish between gastric and intestinal vagal afferent pathways in terms of their basic physiology and activation by enteroendocrine factors. Gastric bypass surgery makes use of this system by exposing areas of the intestine to greater nutrient loads resulting in greater satiety hormone release and reduced food intake. A non-surgical approach to this system is preferable for many reasons. This review details where the opportunities may lie for such approaches by describing nutrient-sensing mechanisms throughout the gastrointestinal tract.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)1537-1558
    Number of pages22
    JournalBritish Journal of Pharmacology
    Volume166
    Issue number5
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Jul 2012

    Keywords

    • enteroendocrine cell
    • nutrient sensing
    • obesity
    • vagus nerve

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