New Peptides as Potential Players in the Crosstalk Between the Brain and Obesity, Metabolic and Cardiovascular Diseases

Abstract

According to the World Health Organization report published in 2016, 650 million people worldwide suffer from obesity, almost three times more than in 1975. Obesity is defined as excessive fat accumulation which may impair health with non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases (hypertension, coronary artery disease, stroke), and some cancers. Despite medical advances, cardiovascular complications are still the leading causes of death arising from obesity. Excessive fat accumulation is caused by the imbalance between energy intake and expenditure. The pathogenesis of this process is complex and not fully understood, but current research is focused on the role of the complex crosstalk between the central nervous system (CNS), neuroendocrine and immune system including the autonomic nervous system, adipose tissue, digestive and cardiovascular systems. Additionally, special attention has been paid to newly discovered substances: neuropeptide 26RFa, preptin, and adropin. It was shown that the above peptides are synthesized both in numerous structures of the CNS and in many peripheral organs and tissues, such as the heart, adipose tissue, and the gastrointestinal tract. Recently, particular attention has been paid to the role of the presented peptides in the pathogenesis of obesity, metabolic and cardiovascular system diseases. This review summarizes the role of newly investigated peptides in the crosstalk between brain and peripheral organs in the pathogenesis of obesity, metabolic, and cardiovascular diseases.

Potentials of Neuropeptides as Therapeutic Agents for Neurological Diseases

“…Regulate insulin and glucose homeostasis and cardiovascular function in the periphery [133,[191][192][193][194]. Reported in the maintenance of neuronal homeostasis during aging [195,196].…”

“…Interestingly, CGRP also exerts cardioprotective effects against hypertension in the peripheral system [ 132 ]. Adropin and 26RFa are alternate neuropeptides implicated in cardiovascular function and have consequently been suggested to act as mediators between neural and peripheral function [ 133 ], although the precise interactions between these neuropeptides and CGRP in the control of cardiac function are unknown. The prominent role of CGRP and substance P in the pain response has been reviewed by Carr and Frings [ 134 ], and their actions have also been associated with other peripheral sensory processes, including olfaction [ 135 ], gustation [ 136 ], retinal function [ 137 ], and the amplification of sound-evoked activity in cochlear nerves [ 138 ].…”

Functional stapled fragments of human preptin of minimised length

“…4 Preptin levels positively correlate with diabetes type II, polycystic ovary syndrome, and gestational diabetes. 3,5–7 In contrast, they negatively correlate with bone mineral density and osteoporosis. 8…”

“…4 Preptin levels positively correlate with diabetes type II, polycystic ovary syndrome, and gestational diabetes. 3,[5][6][7] In contrast, they negatively correlate with bone mineral density and osteoporosis. 8 The mechanism of preptin action and even the knowledge of the preptin receptor are still unknown, but it is assumed that preptin acts through mobilisation of intracellular calcium ions (Ca 2+ ).…”

Review of Novel Potential Insulin Resistance Biomarkers in PCOS Patients—The Debate Is Still Open

“…Due to the increasing worldwide prevalence of obesity and its undeniable relationship with decreased insulin sensitivity of the peripheral cells, there has been a growing interest in the study of proteins/peptides that may regulate metabolic homeostasis [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]. To date, most research has been devoted to factors deriving directly from the white adipose tissue (WAT)—also known as adipokines—including adiponectin, resistin, leptin, visfatin, apelin, retinol-binding protein 4, and chemerin, to name but a few [ 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 ].…”