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Hoyos Sanchez MC, Bayat T, Gee RRF, Fon Tacer K. Hormonal Imbalances in Prader-Willi and Schaaf-Yang Syndromes Imply the Evolution of Specific Regulation of Hypothalamic Neuroendocrine Function in Mammals. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:13109. [PMID: 37685915 PMCID: PMC10487939 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241713109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The hypothalamus regulates fundamental aspects of physiological homeostasis and behavior, including stress response, reproduction, growth, sleep, and feeding, several of which are affected in patients with Prader-Willi (PWS) and Schaaf-Yang syndrome (SYS). PWS is caused by paternal deletion, maternal uniparental disomy, or imprinting defects that lead to loss of expression of a maternally imprinted region of chromosome 15 encompassing non-coding RNAs and five protein-coding genes; SYS patients have a mutation in one of them, MAGEL2. Throughout life, PWS and SYS patients suffer from musculoskeletal deficiencies, intellectual disabilities, and hormonal abnormalities, which lead to compulsive behaviors like hyperphagia and temper outbursts. Management of PWS and SYS is mostly symptomatic and cures for these debilitating disorders do not exist, highlighting a clear, unmet medical need. Research over several decades into the molecular and cellular roles of PWS genes has uncovered that several impinge on the neuroendocrine system. In this review, we will discuss the expression and molecular functions of PWS genes, connecting them with hormonal imbalances in patients and animal models. Besides the observed hormonal imbalances, we will describe the recent findings about how the loss of individual genes, particularly MAGEL2, affects the molecular mechanisms of hormone secretion. These results suggest that MAGEL2 evolved as a mammalian-specific regulator of hypothalamic neuroendocrine function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Camila Hoyos Sanchez
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Texas Tech University, 7671 Evans Dr., Amarillo, TX 79106, USA
- Texas Center for Comparative Cancer Research (TC3R), Amarillo, TX 79106, USA
| | - Tara Bayat
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Texas Tech University, 7671 Evans Dr., Amarillo, TX 79106, USA
- Texas Center for Comparative Cancer Research (TC3R), Amarillo, TX 79106, USA
| | - Rebecca R. Florke Gee
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Texas Tech University, 7671 Evans Dr., Amarillo, TX 79106, USA
- Texas Center for Comparative Cancer Research (TC3R), Amarillo, TX 79106, USA
| | - Klementina Fon Tacer
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Texas Tech University, 7671 Evans Dr., Amarillo, TX 79106, USA
- Texas Center for Comparative Cancer Research (TC3R), Amarillo, TX 79106, USA
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2
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Calcaterra V, Magenes VC, Destro F, Baldassarre P, Silvestro GS, Tricella C, Visioli A, Verduci E, Pelizzo G, Zuccotti G. Prader–Willi Syndrome and Weight Gain Control: From Prevention to Surgery—A Narrative Review. CHILDREN 2023; 10:children10030564. [PMID: 36980122 PMCID: PMC10047227 DOI: 10.3390/children10030564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023]
Abstract
Severe obesity remains one of the most important symptoms of Prader–Willi Syndrome (PWS), and controlling weight represents a crucial point in the therapeutical approach to the syndrome. We present an overview of different progressive patterns of growth that involve controlling weight in PWS. Mechanisms involved in the development of obesity and in preventive and therapeutic strategies to control weight gain are discussed. Early diagnosis, a controlled diet regimen, regular physical activity, follow-up by multidisciplinary teams, and hormonal treatment improved the management of excessive weight gain. In selected cases, a surgical approach can be also considered. Controlling weight in PWS remains a challenge for pediatricians. The importance of consulting different healthcare specialists, starting from the neonatal and pediatric age, is also considered as a crucial approach to controlling weight, as well as to limiting and preventing the onset of obesity and its complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Calcaterra
- Pediatrics and Adolescentology Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy
- Pediatric Department, “Vittore Buzzi” Children’s Hospital, 20154 Milan, Italy
- Correspondence:
| | | | - Francesca Destro
- Pediatric Surgery Department, “Vittore Buzzi” Children’s Hospital, 20154 Milan, Italy
| | - Paola Baldassarre
- Pediatric Department, “Vittore Buzzi” Children’s Hospital, 20154 Milan, Italy
| | | | - Chiara Tricella
- Pediatric Department, “Vittore Buzzi” Children’s Hospital, 20154 Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandro Visioli
- Pediatric Department, “Vittore Buzzi” Children’s Hospital, 20154 Milan, Italy
| | - Elvira Verduci
- Pediatric Department, “Vittore Buzzi” Children’s Hospital, 20154 Milan, Italy
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Milan, 20142 Milan, Italy
| | - Gloria Pelizzo
- Pediatric Surgery Department, “Vittore Buzzi” Children’s Hospital, 20154 Milan, Italy
- Department of Biomedical and Clinical Science, University of Milan, 20157 Milan, Italy
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3
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Brown SSG, Manning KE, Fletcher P, Holland A. In vivo neuroimaging evidence of hypothalamic alteration in Prader–Willi syndrome. Brain Commun 2022; 4:fcac229. [PMID: 36147452 PMCID: PMC9487704 DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcac229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Revised: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Prader–Willi syndrome is a genetic neurodevelopmental disorder with an early phenotype characterized by neonatal hypotonia, failure to thrive, and immature genitalia. The onset of hyperphagia in childhood and developmental, physical and neuropsychiatric characteristics indicate atypical brain development and specifically hypothalamic dysfunction. Whether the latter is a consequence of disruption of hypothalamic pathways for genetic reasons or due to a failure of hypothalamic development remains uncertain. Twenty participants with Prader–Willi syndrome, 40 age-matched controls and 42 obese participants underwent structural MRI scanning. The whole hypothalamus and its subnuclei were segmented from structural acquisitions. The Food-Related Problem Questionnaire was used to provide information relating to eating behaviour. All hypothalamic nuclei were significantly smaller in the Prader–Willi group, compared with age and gender matched controls (P < 0.01) with the exception of the right anterior–inferior nucleus (P = 0.07). Lower whole hypothalamus volume was significantly associated with higher body mass index in Prader–Willi syndrome (P < 0.05). Increased preoccupation with food was associated with lower volumes of the bilateral posterior nuclei and left tubular superior nucleus. The whole hypothalamus and all constituent nuclei were also smaller in Prader–Willi syndrome compared with obese participants (P < 0.001). Connectivity profiles of the hypothalamus revealed that fractional anisotropy was associated with impaired satiety in Prader–Willi syndrome (P < 0.05). We establish that hypothalamic structure is significantly altered in Prader–Willi syndrome, demonstrating that hypothalamic dysfunction linked to eating behaviour is likely neurodevelopmental in nature and furthermore, distinctive compared with obesity in the general population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie S G Brown
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge , Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge CB2 0QQ , UK
| | - Katherine E Manning
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge , Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge CB2 0QQ , UK
| | - Paul Fletcher
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge , Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge CB2 0QQ , UK
| | - Anthony Holland
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge , Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge CB2 0QQ , UK
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4
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Qian Y, Xia F, Zuo Y, Zhong M, Yang L, Jiang Y, Zou C. Do patients with Prader-Willi syndrome have favorable glucose metabolism? Orphanet J Rare Dis 2022; 17:187. [PMID: 35525976 PMCID: PMC9077846 DOI: 10.1186/s13023-022-02344-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In recent years, more studies have observed that patients with Prader–Willi syndrome have lower insulin levels and lower insulin resistance than body mass index-matched controls, which may suggest protected glucose metabolism. Method The PubMed and Web of Science online databases were searched to identify relevant studies published in the English language using the terms “Prader–Willi syndrome” with “glucose”, “insulin”, “diabetes mellitus”, “fat”, “adipo*”, “ghrelin”, “oxytocin”, “irisin” or “autonomic nervous system”. Results The prevalence of impaired glucose intolerance, type 2 diabetes mellitus and some other obesity-associated complications in patients with Prader–Willi syndrome tends to be lower when compared to that in general obesity, which is consistent with the hypothetically protected glucose metabolism. Factors including adipose tissue, adiponectin, ghrelin, oxytocin, irisin, growth hormone and the autonomic nervous system possibly modulate insulin sensitivity in patients with Prader–Willi syndrome. Conclusion Although lower insulin levels, lower IR and protected glucose metabolism are widely reported in PWS patients, the causes are still mysterious. Based on existing knowledge, we cannot determine which factor is of utmost importance and what are the underlying mechanisms, and further research is in urgent need.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanjie Qian
- Department of Endocrinology, The Children's Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, No 3333 Binsheng Road, Hangzhou, 310051, China
| | - Fangling Xia
- Department of Endocrinology, The Children's Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, No 3333 Binsheng Road, Hangzhou, 310051, China
| | - Yiming Zuo
- Department of Endocrinology, The Children's Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, No 3333 Binsheng Road, Hangzhou, 310051, China
| | - Mianling Zhong
- Department of Endocrinology, The Children's Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, No 3333 Binsheng Road, Hangzhou, 310051, China
| | - Lili Yang
- Department of Endocrinology, The Children's Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, No 3333 Binsheng Road, Hangzhou, 310051, China
| | - Yonghui Jiang
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, USA
| | - Chaochun Zou
- Department of Endocrinology, The Children's Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, National Clinical Research Center for Child Health, No 3333 Binsheng Road, Hangzhou, 310051, China.
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Kim SJ, Cho SY, Jin DK. Prader-Willi syndrome: an update on obesity and endocrine problems. Ann Pediatr Endocrinol Metab 2021; 26:227-236. [PMID: 34991300 PMCID: PMC8749024 DOI: 10.6065/apem.2142164.082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a rare complex genetic disorder that results from a lack of expression of the paternally inherited chromosome 15q11-q13. PWS is characterized by hypotonia and feeding difficulty in early infancy and development of morbid obesity aggravated by uncontrolled hyperphagia after childhood and adolescent. Dysmorphic facial features, delayed motor and language development, various degrees of cognitive impairment, and behavioral problems are common in PWS. Without early, intensive nutritional therapy along with behavioral modification, PWS patients develop severe obesity associated with type 2 diabetes, obstructive sleep apnea, right-side heart failure, and other obesity-related metabolic complications. Hypothalamic dysfunction in PWS can lead to several endocrine disorders, including short stature with growth hormone deficiency, hypothyroidism, central adrenal insufficiency, and hypogonadism. In this review, we discuss the natural history of PWS and the mechanisms of hyperphagia and obesity. We also provide an update on obesity treatments and recommendations for screening and monitoring of various endocrine problems that can occur in PWS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Su Jin Kim
- Department of Pediatrics, Inha University Hospital, Inha University College of Medicine, Incheon, Korea,Northwest Gyeonggi Regional Center for Rare Disease, Inha University Hospital, Incheon, Korea
| | - Sung Yoon Cho
- Department of Pediatrics, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Dong-Kyu Jin
- Department of Pediatrics, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea,Address for correspondence: Dong-Kyu Jin Department of Pediatrics, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, 81 Irwon-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 06351, Korea
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6
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Muscogiuri G, Barrea L, Faggiano F, Maiorino MI, Parrillo M, Pugliese G, Ruggeri RM, Scarano E, Savastano S, Colao A. Obesity in Prader-Willi syndrome: physiopathological mechanisms, nutritional and pharmacological approaches. J Endocrinol Invest 2021; 44:2057-2070. [PMID: 33891302 PMCID: PMC8421305 DOI: 10.1007/s40618-021-01574-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a genetic disorder caused by the lack of expression of genes on the paternally inherited chromosome 15q11.2-q13 region. The three main genetic subtypes are represented by paternal 15q11-q13 deletion, maternal uniparental disomy 15, and imprinting defect. Clinical picture of PWS changes across life stages. The main clinical characteristics are represented by short stature, developmental delay, cognitive disability and behavioral diseases. Hypotonia and poor suck resulting in failure to thrive are typical of infancy. As the subjects with PWS age, clinical manifestations such as hyperphagia, temperature instability, high pain threshold, hypersomnia and multiple endocrine abnormalities including growth hormone and thyroid-stimulating hormone deficiencies, hypogonadism and central adrenal insufficiency due to hypothalamic dysfunction occur. Obesity and its complications are the most common causes of morbidity and mortality in PWS. Several mechanisms for the aetiology of obesity in PWS have been hypothesized, which include aberration in hypothalamic pathways of satiety control resulting in hyperphagia, disruption in hormones regulating appetite and satiety and reduced energy expenditure. However, despite the advancement in the research field of the genetic basis of obesity in PWS, there are contradictory data on the management. Although it is mandatory to adopt obesity strategy prevention from infancy, there is promising evidence regarding the management of obesity in adulthood with current obesity drugs along with lifestyle interventions, although the data are limited. Therefore, the current manuscript provides a review of the current evidence on obesity and PWS, covering physiopathological aspects, obesity-related complications and conservative management.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Muscogiuri
- Sezione di Endocrinologia, Unità di Endocrinologia, Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Università Federico II di Napoli, Via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy.
- Cattedra Unesco "Educazione alla Salute e allo Sviluppo Sostenibile", Università "Federico II" di Napoli, Naples, Italy.
| | - L Barrea
- Sezione di Endocrinologia, Unità di Endocrinologia, Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Università Federico II di Napoli, Via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy
- Dipartimento di Scienze Umanistiche, Università Telematica Pegaso, Napoli, Italy
| | - F Faggiano
- Ambulatorio Diabetologia, Asp Cosenza, Cosenza, Italy
| | - M I Maiorino
- Unit of Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Naples, Italy
| | - M Parrillo
- Endocrinology and Metabolic Disease, AORN S. Anna S. Sebastiano Caserta, Caserta, Italy
| | - G Pugliese
- Sezione di Endocrinologia, Unità di Endocrinologia, Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Università Federico II di Napoli, Via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - R M Ruggeri
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Messina, Italy
| | - E Scarano
- Sezione di Endocrinologia, Unità di Endocrinologia, Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Università Federico II di Napoli, Via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - S Savastano
- Sezione di Endocrinologia, Unità di Endocrinologia, Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Università Federico II di Napoli, Via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - A Colao
- Sezione di Endocrinologia, Unità di Endocrinologia, Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Università Federico II di Napoli, Via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131, Naples, Italy
- Cattedra Unesco "Educazione alla Salute e allo Sviluppo Sostenibile", Università "Federico II" di Napoli, Naples, Italy
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Ramzy A, Kieffer TJ. Altered islet prohormone processing: A cause or consequence of diabetes? Physiol Rev 2021; 102:155-208. [PMID: 34280055 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00008.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Peptide hormones are first produced as larger precursor prohormones that require endoproteolytic cleavage to liberate the mature hormones. A structurally conserved but functionally distinct family of nine prohormone convertase enzymes (PCs) are responsible for cleavage of protein precursors of which PC1/3 and PC2 are known to be exclusive to neuroendocrine cells and responsible for prohormone cleavage. Differential expression of PCs within tissues define prohormone processing; whereas glucagon is the major product liberated from proglucagon via PC2 in pancreatic α-cells, proglucagon is preferentially processed by PC1/3 in intestinal L cells to produce glucagon-like peptides 1 and 2 (GLP-1, GLP-2). Beyond our understanding of processing of islet prohormones in healthy islets, there is convincing evidence that proinsulin, proIAPP, and proglucagon processing is altered during prediabetes and diabetes. There is predictive value of elevated circulating proinsulin or proinsulin : C-peptide ratio for progression to type 2 diabetes and elevated proinsulin or proinsulin : C-peptide is predictive for development of type 1 diabetes in at risk groups. After onset of diabetes, patients have elevated circulating proinsulin and proIAPP and proinsulin may be an autoantigen in type 1 diabetes. Further, preclinical studies reveal that α-cells have altered proglucagon processing during diabetes leading to increased GLP-1 production. We conclude that despite strong associative data, current evidence is inconclusive on the potential causal role of impaired prohormone processing in diabetes, and suggest that future work should focus on resolving the question of whether altered prohormone processing is a causal driver or merely a consequence of diabetes pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Ramzy
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences, Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Timothy J Kieffer
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, Department of Cellular and Physiological Sciences, Life Sciences Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,Department of Surgery, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.,School of Biomedical Engineering, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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8
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Vlaardingerbroek H, van den Akker ELT, Hokken-Koelega ACS. Appetite- and weight-inducing and -inhibiting neuroendocrine factors in Prader-Willi syndrome, Bardet-Biedl syndrome and craniopharyngioma versus anorexia nervosa. Endocr Connect 2021; 10:R175-R188. [PMID: 33884958 PMCID: PMC8183618 DOI: 10.1530/ec-21-0111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Obesity is reaching an epidemic state and has a major impact on health and economy. In most cases, obesity is caused by lifestyle factors. However, the risk of becoming obese differs highly between people. Individual's differences in lifestyle, genetic, and neuroendocrine factors play a role in satiety, hunger and regulation of body weight. In a small percentage of children and adults with obesity, an underlying hormonal or genetic cause can be found. The aim of this review is to present and compare data on the extreme ends of the obesity and undernutrition spectrum in patients with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS), Bardet-Biedl syndrome (BBS), acquired hypothalamic obesity in craniopharyngioma patients, and anorexia nervosa. This may give more insight into the role of neuroendocrine factors and might give direction for future research in conditions of severe obesity and underweight.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Vlaardingerbroek
- Department of Pediatrics, Subdivision of Endocrinology, Erasmus University Medical Center-Sophia Children’s Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Willem-Alexander Children’s Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Endocrinology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
- Correspondence should be addressed to H Vlaardingerbroek:
| | - E L T van den Akker
- Department of Pediatrics, Subdivision of Endocrinology, Erasmus University Medical Center-Sophia Children’s Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - A C S Hokken-Koelega
- Department of Pediatrics, Subdivision of Endocrinology, Erasmus University Medical Center-Sophia Children’s Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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9
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Orsso CE, Butler AA, Muehlbauer MJ, Cui HN, Rubin DA, Pakseresht M, Butler MG, Prado CM, Freemark M, Haqq AM. Obestatin and adropin in Prader-Willi syndrome and nonsyndromic obesity: Associations with weight, BMI-z, and HOMA-IR. Pediatr Obes 2019; 14:e12493. [PMID: 30589518 PMCID: PMC7456601 DOI: 10.1111/ijpo.12493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2018] [Revised: 10/29/2018] [Accepted: 11/05/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The roles of obestatin and adropin in paediatric obesity are poorly understood. We compared obestatin and adropin concentrations in younger (n = 21) and older children (n = 14) with Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) and age and BMI-z-matched controls (n = 31). Fasting plasma obestatin and adropin were higher in younger children with PWS than controls; adropin was also higher in older children with PWS. Growth hormone treatment had no effects on obestatin or adropin in PWS. The ratio of ghrelin to obestatin declined from early to late childhood but was higher in older PWS than older controls. Adropin correlated with fasting glucose in the PWS group only. Changes in the ratio of ghrelin to obestatin may suggest changes in the processing of preproghrelin to ghrelin and obestatin during development and differential processing of preproghrelin in PWS.
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Affiliation(s)
- C. E. Orsso
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - A. A. Butler
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri, United States
| | - M. J. Muehlbauer
- Sarah W. Stedman Nutrition and Metabolism Center, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States
| | - H. N. Cui
- Sarah W. Stedman Nutrition and Metabolism Center, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States
| | - D. A. Rubin
- Department of Kinesiology, California State University, Fullerton, California, United States
| | - M. Pakseresht
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - M. G. Butler
- Departments of Psychiatry, Behavioral Sciences, and Pediatrics, Kansas University Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, United States
| | - C. M. Prado
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - M. Freemark
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States
| | - A. M. Haqq
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada,Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
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10
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Khan MJ, Gerasimidis K, Edwards CA, Shaikh MG. Mechanisms of obesity in Prader-Willi syndrome. Pediatr Obes 2018; 13:3-13. [PMID: 27863129 DOI: 10.1111/ijpo.12177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2016] [Revised: 07/12/2016] [Accepted: 07/18/2016] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Obesity is the most common cause of metabolic complications and poor quality of life in Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS). Hyperphagia and obesity develop after an initial phase of poor feeding and failure to thrive. Several mechanisms for the aetiology of obesity in PWS are proposed, which include disruption in hypothalamic pathways of satiety control resulting in hyperphagia, aberration in hormones regulating food intake, reduced energy expenditure because of hypotonia and altered behaviour with features of autism spectrum disorder. Profound muscular hypotonia prevents PWS patients from becoming physically active, causing reduced muscle movements and hence reduced energy expenditure. In a quest for the aetiology of obesity, recent evidence has focused on several appetite-regulating hormones, growth hormone, thyroid hormones and plasma adipocytokines. However, despite advancement in understanding of the genetic basis of PWS, there are contradictory data on the role of satiety hormones in hyperphagia and data regarding dietary intake are limited. Mechanistic studies on the aetiology of obesity and its relationship with disease pathogenesis in PWS are required. . In this review, we focused on the available evidence regarding mechanisms of obesity and potential new areas that could be explored to help unravel obesity pathogenesis in PWS.
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Affiliation(s)
- M J Khan
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Khyber Medical University, Peshawar, Pakistan.,Human Nutrition, School of Medicine, College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - K Gerasimidis
- Human Nutrition, School of Medicine, College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - C A Edwards
- Human Nutrition, School of Medicine, College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - M G Shaikh
- Department of Endocrinology, Royal Hospital for Children, Glasgow, UK
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11
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Crinò A, Fintini D, Bocchini S, Grugni G. Obesity management in Prader-Willi syndrome: current perspectives. Diabetes Metab Syndr Obes 2018; 11:579-593. [PMID: 30323638 PMCID: PMC6175547 DOI: 10.2147/dmso.s141352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a complex multisystem disorder due to the absent expression of the paternally active genes in the PWS critical region on chromosome 15 (15q11.2-q13). The syndrome is considered the most common genetic cause of obesity, occurring in 1:10,000-1:30,000 live births. Its main characteristics include neonatal hypotonia, poor feeding, and lack of appetite in infancy, followed by weight gain, lack of satiety, and uncontrolled appetite, frequently after the age of 2-3 years. The clinical picture includes short stature, multiple endocrine abnormalities (hypogonadism, growth hormone/insulin-like growth factor-I axis dysfunction, hypothyroidism, central adrenal insufficiency), dysmorphic features, scoliosis, osteoporosis, mental retardation, and behavioral and psychiatric problems. Subjects with PWS will become severely obese unless their food intake is strictly controlled. Constant and obsessive food seeking behavior can make life very difficult for both the family and caretakers. Prevention of obesity is mandatory in these patients from the first years of life, because once obesity develops it is difficult to maintain the control of food intake. In fact, PWS subjects die prematurely from complications conventionally related to obesity, including diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, sleep apnea, respiratory insufficiency, and cardiovascular disease. The mechanisms underlying hyperphagia in PWS are not completely known, and to date no drugs have proven their efficacy in controlling appetite. Consequently, dietary restriction, physical activity, and behavior management are fundamental in the prevention and management of obesity in PWS. In spite of all available therapeutic tools, however, successful weight loss and maintenance are hardly accomplished. In this context, clinical trials with new drugs have been initiated in order to find new possibilities of a therapy for obesity in these patients. The preliminary results of these studies seem to be encouraging. On the other hand, until well-proven medical treatments are available, bariatric surgery can be taken into consideration, especially in PWS patients with life-threatening comorbidities.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Danilo Fintini
- Endocrinology Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Research Institute, Palidoro, Rome
| | | | - Graziano Grugni
- Division of Auxology, Italian Auxological Institute, Research Institute, Piancavallo, Verbania, Italy
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12
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Wang JL, Xu XH, Zhang XJ, Li WH. The role of obestatin in roux-en-Y gastric bypass-induced remission of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Diabetes Metab Res Rev 2016; 32:470-7. [PMID: 26445403 DOI: 10.1002/dmrr.2735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2015] [Revised: 08/31/2015] [Accepted: 10/04/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a complex and multifactorial disease that is generally characterized by insulin resistance and loss of β-cell function that develops in adulthood. To date, more than 6% of the world's population is affected by T2DM. The main treatments of T2DM are dietary and lifestyle changes. However, only dependent on behaviour modification and oral hypoglycemics, many patients are unable to maintain glycemic control. Emerging evidence indicates that up to 80% of patients with T2DM undergoing Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) experience complete remission of their T2DM and the majority of remissions occur almost immediately following the operation. Obestatin is a 23-amino-acid peptide, which is not only thought to suppress food intake and decrease gastric emptying but also found to exert survival effects in pancreatic β cells, increase glucose-stimulated insulin secretion, and reduce insulin resistance and inflammation. In addition, some researchers demonstrated that obestatin is a nutritional marker reflecting body adiposity and insulin resistance. Although results from previous studies were conflicting, the peripheral blood concentrations of obestatin were changed after RYGB. Therefore, regulation of obestatin level may be another mechanism for RYGB-induced remission of T2DM. In this article, we review briefly the effect of RYGB on T2DM in humans and offer an overview of the published data on the effects of RYGB on obestatin level in patients with T2DM. Furthermore, the possible roles of obestatin in the remission of T2DM following RYGB are also reviewed. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jian-Li Wang
- Qingdao University, Qingdao, China
- Department of General Surgery 1, The Affiliated Hospital of Chengde Medical College, Chengde City, China
| | - Xian-Hui Xu
- Department of General Surgery, No. 401 Hospital of People's Liberation Army, Qingdao, China
| | - Xue-Jun Zhang
- Department of General Surgery 1, The Affiliated Hospital of Chengde Medical College, Chengde City, China
| | - Wei-Hua Li
- Department of General Surgery, No. 401 Hospital of People's Liberation Army, Qingdao, China
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13
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Kuppens RJ, Diène G, Bakker NE, Molinas C, Faye S, Nicolino M, Bernoux D, Delhanty PJD, van der Lely AJ, Allas S, Julien M, Delale T, Tauber M, Hokken-Koelega ACS. Elevated ratio of acylated to unacylated ghrelin in children and young adults with Prader-Willi syndrome. Endocrine 2015; 50:633-42. [PMID: 25989955 PMCID: PMC4662713 DOI: 10.1007/s12020-015-0614-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2015] [Accepted: 04/21/2015] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is characterized by a switch from failure to thrive to excessive weight gain and hyperphagia in early childhood. Hyperghrelinemia may be involved in the underlying mechanisms of the switch. The purpose of this study is to evaluate acylated ghrelin (AG) and unacylated ghrelin (UAG) levels in PWS and investigate their associations with hyperphagia. This is a cross-sectional clinical study conducted in three PWS expert centers in the Netherlands and France. Levels of AG and UAG and the AG/UAG ratio were determined in 138 patients with PWS (0.2-29.4 years) and compared with 50 age-matched obese subjects (4.3-16.9 years) and 39 healthy controls (0.8-28.6 years). AEBSF was used to inhibit deacylation of AG. As a group, PWS patients had higher AG but similar UAG levels as healthy controls (AG 129.1 vs 82.4 pg/ml, p = 0.016; UAG 135.3 vs 157.3 pg/ml, resp.), resulting in a significantly higher AG/UAG ratio (1.00 vs 0.61, p = 0.001, resp.). Obese subjects had significantly lower AG and UAG levels than PWS and controls (40.3 and 35.3 pg/ml, resp.), but also a high AG/UAG ratio (1.16). The reason for the higher AG/UAG ratio in PWS and obese was, however, completely different, as PWS had a high AG and obese a very low UAG. PWS patients without weight gain or hyperphagia had a similar AG/UAG ratio as age-matched controls, in contrast to those with weight gain and/or hyperphagia who had an elevated AG/UAG ratio. The switch to excessive weight gain in PWS seems to coincide with an increase in the AG/UAG ratio, even prior to the start of hyperphagia.
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Affiliation(s)
- R J Kuppens
- Dutch Growth Research Foundation, Westzeedijk 106, 3016 AH, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
- Department of Pediatrics, Subdivision of Endocrinology, Erasmus University Medical Center-Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - G Diène
- Unité D'endocrinologie, Obésité, Maladies Osseuses, Génétique et Gynécologie Médicale, Centre de Référence du Syndrome de Prader-Willi, Hôpital des enfants, Toulouse, France
| | - N E Bakker
- Dutch Growth Research Foundation, Westzeedijk 106, 3016 AH, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Pediatrics, Subdivision of Endocrinology, Erasmus University Medical Center-Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - C Molinas
- Unité D'endocrinologie, Obésité, Maladies Osseuses, Génétique et Gynécologie Médicale, Centre de Référence du Syndrome de Prader-Willi, Hôpital des enfants, Toulouse, France
- Axe pédiatrique du CIC 9302/INSERM. Hôpital des enfants, Toulouse, France
| | - S Faye
- Unité D'endocrinologie, Obésité, Maladies Osseuses, Génétique et Gynécologie Médicale, Centre de Référence du Syndrome de Prader-Willi, Hôpital des enfants, Toulouse, France
| | - M Nicolino
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Hôpital Femme-Mère-Enfant, University of Lyon, Bron/Lyon, France
| | - D Bernoux
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology, Hôpital Femme-Mère-Enfant, University of Lyon, Bron/Lyon, France
| | - P J D Delhanty
- Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - A J van der Lely
- Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - S Allas
- Alizé Pharma, 69130, Ecully, France
| | - M Julien
- Alizé Pharma, 69130, Ecully, France
| | - T Delale
- Alizé Pharma, 69130, Ecully, France
| | - M Tauber
- Unité D'endocrinologie, Obésité, Maladies Osseuses, Génétique et Gynécologie Médicale, Centre de Référence du Syndrome de Prader-Willi, Hôpital des enfants, Toulouse, France
- INSERM U1043, Centre de Physiopathologie de Toulouse Purpan, Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - A C S Hokken-Koelega
- Dutch Growth Research Foundation, Westzeedijk 106, 3016 AH, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Pediatrics, Subdivision of Endocrinology, Erasmus University Medical Center-Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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Labarthe A, Fiquet O, Hassouna R, Zizzari P, Lanfumey L, Ramoz N, Grouselle D, Epelbaum J, Tolle V. Ghrelin-Derived Peptides: A Link between Appetite/Reward, GH Axis, and Psychiatric Disorders? Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2014; 5:163. [PMID: 25386163 PMCID: PMC4209873 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2014.00163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2014] [Accepted: 09/23/2014] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Psychiatric disorders are often associated with metabolic and hormonal alterations, including obesity, diabetes, metabolic syndrome as well as modifications in several biological rhythms including appetite, stress, sleep-wake cycles, and secretion of their corresponding endocrine regulators. Among the gastrointestinal hormones that regulate appetite and adapt the metabolism in response to nutritional, hedonic, and emotional dysfunctions, at the interface between endocrine, metabolic, and psychiatric disorders, ghrelin plays a unique role as the only one increasing appetite. The secretion of ghrelin is altered in several psychiatric disorders (anorexia, schizophrenia) as well as in metabolic disorders (obesity) and in animal models in response to emotional triggers (psychological stress …) but the relationship between these modifications and the physiopathology of psychiatric disorders remains unclear. Recently, a large literature showed that this key metabolic/endocrine regulator is involved in stress and reward-oriented behaviors and regulates anxiety and mood. In addition, preproghrelin is a complex prohormone but the roles of the other ghrelin-derived peptides, thought to act as functional ghrelin antagonists, are largely unknown. Altered ghrelin secretion and/or signaling in psychiatric diseases are thought to participate in altered appetite, hedonic response and reward. Whether this can contribute to the mechanism responsible for the development of the disease or can help to minimize some symptoms associated with these psychiatric disorders is discussed in the present review. We will thus describe (1) the biological actions of ghrelin and ghrelin-derived peptides on food and drugs reward, anxiety and depression, and the physiological consequences of ghrelin invalidation on these parameters, (2) how ghrelin and ghrelin-derived peptides are regulated in animal models of psychiatric diseases and in human psychiatric disorders in relation with the GH axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Labarthe
- UMR-S 894, Centre de Psychiatrie et Neurosciences, L’Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale, Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France
| | - Oriane Fiquet
- UMR-S 894, Centre de Psychiatrie et Neurosciences, L’Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale, Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France
| | - Rim Hassouna
- UMR-S 894, Centre de Psychiatrie et Neurosciences, L’Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale, Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France
| | - Philippe Zizzari
- UMR-S 894, Centre de Psychiatrie et Neurosciences, L’Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale, Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France
| | - Laurence Lanfumey
- UMR-S 894, Centre de Psychiatrie et Neurosciences, L’Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale, Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France
| | - Nicolas Ramoz
- UMR-S 894, Centre de Psychiatrie et Neurosciences, L’Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale, Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France
| | - Dominique Grouselle
- UMR-S 894, Centre de Psychiatrie et Neurosciences, L’Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale, Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France
| | - Jacques Epelbaum
- UMR-S 894, Centre de Psychiatrie et Neurosciences, L’Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale, Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France
| | - Virginie Tolle
- UMR-S 894, Centre de Psychiatrie et Neurosciences, L’Institut national de la santé et de la recherche médicale, Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France
- *Correspondence: Virginie Tolle, UMR-S 894, Centre de Psychiatrie et Neurosciences, INSERM, Université Paris Descartes, 2 ter rue d’Alésia, Paris 75014, France e-mail:
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15
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Zizzari P, Hassouna R, Grouselle D, Epelbaum J, Tolle V. Physiological roles of preproghrelin-derived peptides in GH secretion and feeding. Peptides 2011; 32:2274-82. [PMID: 21530598 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2011.04.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2011] [Revised: 04/04/2011] [Accepted: 04/07/2011] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Among the factors playing a crucial role in the regulation of energy metabolism, gastro-intestinal peptides are essential signals to maintain energy homeostasis as they relay to the central nervous system the informations about the nutritional status of the body. Among these factors, preproghrelin is a unique prohormone as it encodes ghrelin, a powerful GH secretagogue and the only orexigenic signal from the gastrointestinal tract and obestatin, a proposed functional ghrelin antagonist. These preproghrelin-derived peptides may contribute to balance energy intake, metabolism and body composition by regulating the activity of the GH/IGF-1 axis and appetite. Whereas the contribution of ghrelin has been well characterized, the role of the more recently identified obestatin, in this regulatory process is still controversial. In this chapter, we describe the contribution of these different preproghrelin-derived peptides and their receptors in the regulation of GH secretion and feeding. Data obtained from pharmacological approaches, mutant models and evaluation of the hormones in animal and human models are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philippe Zizzari
- UMR894 INSERM, Centre de Psychiatrie et Neurosciences, Université Paris Descartes, 2 ter rue d'Alésia, 75014 Paris, France
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Prodam F, Trovato L, Demarchi I, Busti A, Petri A, Moia S, Walker GE, Aimaretti G, Bona G, Bellone S. Unacylated, acylated ghrelin and obestatin levels are differently inhibited by oral glucose load in pediatric obesity: Association with insulin sensitivity and metabolic alterations. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2011. [DOI: 10.1016/j.eclnm.2011.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
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17
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Chen CY, Asakawa A, Fujimiya M, Lee SD, Inui A. Ghrelin gene products and the regulation of food intake and gut motility. Pharmacol Rev 2010; 61:430-81. [PMID: 20038570 DOI: 10.1124/pr.109.001958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 161] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
A breakthrough using "reverse pharmacology" identified and characterized acyl ghrelin from the stomach as the endogenous cognate ligand for the growth hormone (GH) secretagogue receptor (GHS-R) 1a. The unique post-translational modification of O-n-octanoylation at serine 3 is the first in peptide discovery history and is essential for GH-releasing ability. Des-acyl ghrelin, lacking O-n-octanoylation at serine 3, is also produced in the stomach and remains the major molecular form secreted into the circulation. The third ghrelin gene product, obestatin, a novel 23-amino acid peptide identified from rat stomach, was found by comparative genomic analysis. Three ghrelin gene products actively participate in modulating appetite, adipogenesis, gut motility, glucose metabolism, cell proliferation, immune, sleep, memory, anxiety, cognition, and stress. Knockdown or knockout of acyl ghrelin and/or GHS-R1a, and overexpression of des-acyl ghrelin show benefits in the therapy of obesity and metabolic syndrome. By contrast, agonism of acyl ghrelin and/or GHS-R1a could combat human anorexia-cachexia, including anorexia nervosa, chronic heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, liver cirrhosis, chronic kidney disease, burn, and postsurgery recovery, as well as restore gut dysmotility, such as diabetic or neurogenic gastroparesis, and postoperative ileus. The ghrelin acyl-modifying enzyme, ghrelin O-Acyltransferase (GOAT), which attaches octanoate to serine-3 of ghrelin, has been identified and characterized also from the stomach. To date, ghrelin is the only protein to be octanylated, and inhibition of GOAT may have effects only on the stomach and is unlikely to affect the synthesis of other proteins. GOAT may provide a critical molecular target in developing novel therapeutics for obesity and type 2 diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chih-Yen Chen
- Faculty of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University School of Medicine, Taipei, Japan
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18
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Kukuvitis A, Froudarakis M, Tryfon S, Tzouvelekis A, Saroglou M, Karkavitsas N, Bouros D. Acute effect of smoking on plasma Obestatin levels. Tob Induc Dis 2010; 8:2. [PMID: 20148104 PMCID: PMC2819234 DOI: 10.1186/1617-9625-8-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2009] [Accepted: 01/07/2010] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Smoking and smoking cessation are considered to be associated with weight changes. We have recently shown that smoking acutely increases plasma levels of ghrelin, a known orexigenic hormone. Obestatin is a peptide encoded by the ghrelin gene, which opposes ghrelin effects on food intake. We conducted a study in adult volunteers measuring plasma levels of obestatin immediately after initiation of smoking. Methods 31 volunteers (mean age 32.2 ± 9.2 years and mean BMI 25.7 ± 4.1), 17 smokers and 14 non-smokers, were enrolled in our study. The 2 groups were matched in age and BMI. Plasma obestatin concentrations were determined at baseline (T0), 2 (T2), 5 (T5), 15 (T15), and 60 (T60) minutes after the initiation of smoking. Results In all 31 subjects, no significant difference in the mean values of plasma obestatin levels was observed from baseline at T2, T5, T15 and T60 after initiation of smoking (overall p = 0.15). However, a trend for higher obestatin levels was noted in smokers vs non-smokers (overall p = 0.069), which was not related to the pack-years. Conclusion On the contrary with ghrelin's response after smoking initiation, there is no such an acute response of plasma obestatin levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asterios Kukuvitis
- Department of Endocrinology, Medical School Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece
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19
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Xin X, Ren AJ, Zheng X, Qin YW, Zhao XX, Yuan WJ, Guo ZF. Disturbance of circulating ghrelin and obestatin in chronic heart failure patients especially in those with cachexia. Peptides 2009; 30:2281-5. [PMID: 19666068 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2009.07.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2009] [Revised: 07/30/2009] [Accepted: 07/30/2009] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Plasma ghrelin was elevated in chronic heart failure (CHF) patients with cachexia. Obestatin, a sibling of ghrelin, opposes several actions of ghrelin. We, therefore, investigated plasma obestatin and ghrelin levels in patients with CHF. Total plasma ghrelin and obestatin levels were measured in 65 patients with CHF (22 with cardiac cachexia) and 15 controls. Ghrelin levels were significantly higher in patients with cachexia (1237.8+/-47.9 pg/ml) than those without cachexia (P=0.041) and controls (P<0.01). Obestatin levels correlated positively with ghrelin levels, and obestatin levels were significantly increased in patients with cachexia (282.3+/-13.0 pg/ml) than patients without cachexia and controls (both P<0.01). However, the ghrelin to obestatin ratios (4.5+/-0.2) were significantly lower in CHF patients with cachexia than controls (P<0.01). Ghrelin and ratio of ghrelin to obestatin were independent predictors of the development of cardiac cachexia. No association was found between ghrelin, obestatin and New York Heart Association functional class, brain natriuretic peptide. There was disturbance of circulating ghrelin and obestatin in the CHF patients especially those with cachexia, which may have a role in the pathogenesis of cardiac cachexia in CHF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing Xin
- Department of Cardiovascular Diseases, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, 168 Changhai Road, Shanghai 200433, China
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20
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Perboni S, Inui A. Appetite and gastrointestinal motility: role of ghrelin-family peptides. Clin Nutr 2009; 29:227-34. [PMID: 19945199 DOI: 10.1016/j.clnu.2008.10.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2006] [Revised: 09/28/2008] [Accepted: 10/30/2008] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Eating disorders, obesity and cachexia endanger the lives of millions of people worldwide. Fortunately, in last decade, there has been a rapid and substantial progress toward uncovering the molecular and neural mechanisms by which energy imbalance develops. In 1999, ghrelin was identified as the first orexigenic gut-derived peptide. It stimulates appetite and controls the gastric motility and the acid secretion through the activation of the growth hormone secretagogue-receptor. After the discovery of ghrelin, other forms of ghrelin-related proteins were isolated from the rat stomach. The unmodified des-n-octanoyl form (des-acyl ghrelin) and the recent obestatin act through distinct receptors and contrarily to acyl ghrelin, show an anorexigenic activity. The finding that these three peptide hormones derive from the same precursor exert opposing physiological actions, highlights the importance of post-translational regulatory mechanisms. Further investigations are required to highlight the complexity of ghrelin physiology in order to better understand the mechanisms regulating the energy balance and provide a successful treatment of eating disorders, obesity and cachexia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simona Perboni
- Unità Operativa Day-Hospital Area Medica, Ospedale di Manerbio, Azienda Ospedaliera di Desenzano del Garda, Brescia I-25025, Italy.
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Seim I, Herington AC, Chopin LK. New insights into the molecular complexity of the ghrelin gene locus. Cytokine Growth Factor Rev 2009; 20:297-304. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cytogfr.2009.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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Ren AJ, Guo ZF, Wang YK, Lin L, Zheng X, Yuan WJ. Obestatin, obesity and diabetes. Peptides 2009; 30:439-44. [PMID: 18992781 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2008.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2008] [Revised: 10/04/2008] [Accepted: 10/06/2008] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
The high prevalence of obesity and diabetes will lead to higher rates of morbidity and mortality. It is well known that ghrelin plays a potential role in obesity and diabetes. Obestatin, a novel 23 amino acid amidated peptide encoded by the same gene that encodes ghrelin, was initially reported to have opposite actions to ghrelin in the regulation of food intake, emptying of the stomach and body weight. Recent work suggests that obestatin also regulate beta-cell survival and insulin secretion. The ghrelin-obestatin system is, therefore, a promising target for the developing of new drugs for the treatment of obesity and diabetes. This review summarizes the interrelationship between obestatin, obesity and diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- An-Jing Ren
- Department of Physiology, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
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23
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Gao XY, Kuang HY, Liu XM, Duan P, Yang Y, Ma ZB. Circulating ghrelin/obestatin ratio in subjects with Helicobacter pylori infection. Nutrition 2009; 25:506-11. [PMID: 19131215 DOI: 10.1016/j.nut.2008.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2008] [Revised: 11/04/2008] [Accepted: 11/04/2008] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Ghrelin is a peptide hormone involved in human energy homeostasis. Obestatin is a recently discovered active peptide derived from preproghrelin. It seemed that obestatin was a physiologic opponent of ghrelin. Helicobacter pylori infection may be associated with appetite and nutrition. We compared the plasma ghrelin/obestatin ratio in H. pylori-positive and -negative groups. METHODS People undergoing an annual health checkup were included. Helicobacter pylori status was based on serologic and carbon-13 urea breath findings. Fifty adults with H. pylori infection and 50 adults matched by age and body mass index without H. pylori infection were enrolled in this study. Plasma ghrelin and obestatin levels were measured by radioimmunoassay. RESULTS Ghrelin concentrations and ghrelin/obestatin ratios were lower in the H. pylori-positive group than in the H. pylori-negative group. There was no significant difference in circulating obestatin between those with and without H. pylori infection. In all subjects, the ghrelin/obestatin ratio was negatively correlated with body mass index, the homeostasis model of assessment for insulin resistance, and serum levels of triacylglycerol. There was a positive correlation between circulating obestatin and ghrelin levels. CONCLUSION Helicobacter pylori infection was associated with a reduction in the circulating ghrelin/obestatin ratio in Chinese adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin-Yuan Gao
- Department of Endocrinology, The First Clinical Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
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24
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Egido EM, Hernández R, Marco J, Silvestre RA. Effect of obestatin on insulin, glucagon and somatostatin secretion in the perfused rat pancreas. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2009; 152:61-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.regpep.2008.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2008] [Revised: 07/08/2008] [Accepted: 08/07/2008] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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Nakahara T, Harada T, Yasuhara D, Shimada N, Amitani H, Sakoguchi T, Kamiji MM, Asakawa A, Inui A. Plasma obestatin concentrations are negatively correlated with body mass index, insulin resistance index, and plasma leptin concentrations in obesity and anorexia nervosa. Biol Psychiatry 2008; 64:252-5. [PMID: 17919459 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2007.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2007] [Revised: 08/07/2007] [Accepted: 08/09/2007] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Obestatin is a recently identified ghrelin gene product that was reported to inhibit appetite and gastric motility in contrast to ghrelin. We investigated fasting obestatin and ghrelin levels in patients with obesity and anorexia nervosa. METHODS Fasting plasma obestatin, acyl-ghrelin, desacyl-ghrelin, leptin, glucose serum adiponectin, and insulin were measured in 10 obese subjects, 11 restricting-type anorexics, and 11 control subjects. RESULTS Obese group had significantly lower levels of obestatin (p < .01), while anorexic group had significantly higher levels (p < .01). Obestatin was negatively correlated with body mass index (BMI) (r = -.74), glucose (r = -.56), insulin (r = -.55), leptin (r = -.66), and also with the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-R) (r = -.49) and was positively correlated with acyl-ghrelin (r = .65) and desacyl-ghrelin (r = .60). No correlation was seen between obestatin and adiponectin, but the latter was negatively correlated with both acyl-ghrelin and desacyl-ghrelin. Desacyl-ghrelin to acyl-ghrelin ratio was significantly different between anorexic and control groups (p < .05), while no difference was seen between obese and control groups. CONCLUSIONS Both obestatin and ghrelin are increased in anorexic and decreased in obesity. We suggest that obestatin is a nutritional marker reflecting body adiposity and insulin resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toshihiro Nakahara
- Department of Psychosomatic Medicine, Respiratory and Stress Care Center, Kagoshima University Hospital, Kagoshima-City, Japan.
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Unniappan S, Speck M, Kieffer TJ. Metabolic effects of chronic obestatin infusion in rats. Peptides 2008; 29:1354-61. [PMID: 18508160 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2008.03.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2007] [Revised: 03/20/2008] [Accepted: 03/26/2008] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Obestatin is purported to be a peptide hormone encoded in preproghrelin. We studied the metabolic effects of continuous infusion of obestatin via subcutaneously implanted osmotic mini-pumps. Administration of up to 500nmol/kg body weight/day obestatin did not change 24h cumulative food intake or body weight in rats. Similarly, no effects were observed when obestatin was infused at 1000nmol/kg body weight/day for seven days. This dose of obestatin infused during a 24h fast did not alter weight loss, suggesting that obestatin has no effect on energy expenditure, and this dose did not alter glucose or insulin responses during an IPGTT. Obestatin was originally proposed to interact with GPR39 and subsequently the receptor for GLP-1. While both receptors are expressed in pancreatic islets, incubation with obestatin did not alter insulin release from islets in vitro. Moreover, obestatin did not bind to INS-1 beta-cells or HEK cells overexpressing GLP-1 receptors or displace GLP-1 binding to these cells. Our findings do not support the concept that obestatin is a hormone with metabolic actions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suraj Unniappan
- Department of Cellular, Life Sciences Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6T 1Z3
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Anderwald-Stadler M, Krebs M, Promintzer M, Mandl M, Bischof MG, Nowotny P, Kästenbauer T, Luger A, Prager R, Anderwald C. Plasma obestatin is lower at fasting and not suppressed by insulin in insulin-resistant humans. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 2007; 293:E1393-8. [PMID: 17785502 DOI: 10.1152/ajpendo.00330.2007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Obestatin, a recently discovered 23-amino acid peptide, is involved in the regulation of appetite and body weight in antagonistic fashion to ghrelin, both deriving from a common precursor peptide. Ghrelin was shown to be associated with insulin resistance, which may also affect obestatin. We investigated the association between insulin resistance and plasma concentrations of obestatin and ghrelin in nondiabetic individuals with high (IS; n = 18, 13 females and 5 males, age 47 +/- 2 yr, BMI = 25.5 +/- 0.9 kg/m(2)) and low (IR; n = 18, 12 females and 6 males, age 45 +/- 2 yr, P = 0.49, BMI = 27.5 +/- 1.1 kg/m(2), P = 0.17) insulin-stimulated glucose disposal (M), measured by 2-h hyperinsulinemic (40 mU.min(-1).m(-2)) isoglycemic clamp tests. M(100-120 min) was higher in IS (10.7 +/- 0.7) than in IR (4.4 +/- 0.2 mg.min(-1).kg(-1), P < 10(-9)), whereas insulin-dependent suppression of free fatty acids (FFA) in plasma was reduced in IR (71 +/- 6% vs. IS: 82 +/- 5%, P < 0.02). In both groups, plasma ghrelin concentrations were comparable at fasting and similarly reduced by 24-28% during insulin infusion. IR had lower fasting plasma obestatin levels (383 +/- 26 pg/ml vs. IS: 469 +/- 23 pg/ml, P < 0.02). Clamp insulin infusion reduced plasma obestatin to approximately 81% of basal values in IS (P < 0.00002), but not in IR. Fasting plasma obestatin was correlated positively with M (r = 0.34, P = 0.04), HDL cholesterol (r = 0.45, P = 0.01), and plasma ghrelin concentrations (r = 0.80, P < 0.000001) and negatively with measures of adiposity, plasma FFA during clamp (r = -0.42, P < 0.01), and systolic blood pressure (r = -0.33, P < 0.05). In conclusion, fasting plasma concentrations of obestatin, but not of ghrelin, are reduced in insulin resistance and are positively associated with whole body insulin sensitivity in nondiabetic humans. Furthermore, plasma obestatin is reduced by insulin in insulin-sensitive but not in insulin-resistant persons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marietta Anderwald-Stadler
- Third Medical Department of Metabolic Diseases and Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine III, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, A-1090, Vienna, Austria
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Gourcerol G, Coskun T, Craft LS, Mayer JP, Heiman ML, Wang L, Million M, St-Pierre DH, Taché Y. Preproghrelin-derived peptide, obestatin, fails to influence food intake in lean or obese rodents. Obesity (Silver Spring) 2007; 15:2643-52. [PMID: 18070755 DOI: 10.1038/oby.2007.316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Obestatin has been initially characterized as a new peptide derived from the ghrelin precursor, which suppresses food intake and inhibits the orexigenic and prokinetic actions of ghrelin when injected peripherally or centrally in lean mice. However, reproducing these data remains controversial. Reasons for the disparity may be the use of different doses, routes, and animal models. We aimed to investigate the effects of peripheral and intracisternal (IC) injection of obestatin on feeding, gastric motility, and blood glucose in rats as well as in diet-induced obese (DIO) mice. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES Food intake and gastric emptying of a semi-liquid caloric meal were measured after intraperitoneal (IP) injection of obestatin in rats and DIO mice. Gastric phasic motility and blood glucose were monitored in urethane-anesthetized rats after IC or intravenous (IV) injection of obestatin. RESULTS Obestatin injected intraperitoneally at doses ranging from 0.1 to 3 mg/kg influenced neither acute food intake nor gastric emptying in rats. Obestatin injected intravenously at 0.3 or 3 mg/kg and IC at 7.5 or 30 microg/rat modified neither fasted gastric phasic motility nor blood glucose levels, while ghrelin (30 microg/kg, IV) increased and vagotomy suppressed gastric motility, and an oligosomatostatin analog (3 microg/rat, IC) decreased blood glucose. Obestatin, injected intraperitoneally (0.3 mg/kg) in DIO mice, did not alter feeding response to a fast, while urocortin 1 (10 microg/kg, IP) induced a 73.3% inhibition at 2 hours. DISCUSSION Our data demonstrate that peripheral administration of obestatin did not modify food intake in rats or obese mice or gastric motor function in rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillaume Gourcerol
- Center for Ulcer Research and Education (CURE): Digestive Diseases Research Center, and Center for Neurovisceral Sciences and Women's Health, Department of Medicine, Division of Digestive Diseases, University of California-Los Angeles, USA
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Fontenot E, DeVente JE, Seidel ER. Obestatin and ghrelin in obese and in pregnant women. Peptides 2007; 28:1937-44. [PMID: 17869379 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2007.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2007] [Revised: 08/01/2007] [Accepted: 08/02/2007] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
We identified, through qPCR, receptor mRNA for a number of gut peptides in female human omental fat: the incretins, GIP and GLP-1, the orexigenic peptides PYY-Y1 and -Y2 and ghrelin, and the anorexigenic peptide obestatin. Four cohorts of women were examined: lean controls (BMI<23), obese (BMI>41), obese diabetic and term pregnant women. Human fat expressed receptor mRNAs for all six peptides. Pregnant women expressed roughly three times as much orphan GPR-39 receptor, a proposed obestatin receptor, than other women and less than half as much of the ghrelin receptor (GHSR-1a). An immunoblot probed with a GPR-39 selective antibody yielded a single band corresponding to the correct molecular weight (52 kDa) for the proposed obestatin receptor. Fluorescent immunohistochemistry of human fat employing the same antibody indicated the receptor protein was localized to the adipocyte cell membrane. The concentration of obestatin circulating in blood was measured in the same cohort of women and was significantly lower in obese and obese diabetic women compared to control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Fontenot
- Department of Physiology, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858, USA
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhimanyu Garg
- Department of Internal Midicine and Center for Human Nutrition, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, 5323 Harry Hines Boulevard, Dallas, Texas 75390-9052, USA.
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Huda MSB, Durham BH, Wong SP, Deepak D, Kerrigan D, McCulloch P, Ranganath L, Pinkney J, Wilding JPH. Plasma obestatin levels are lower in obese and post-gastrectomy subjects, but do not change in response to a meal. Int J Obes (Lond) 2007; 32:129-35. [PMID: 17667911 DOI: 10.1038/sj.ijo.0803694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate a potential role for obestatin in humans by examining response to a fixed energy meal. CONTEXT A new anorectic peptide hormone, obestatin has recently been isolated from rat stomach. The significance of this peptide in humans is unknown. STUDY DESIGN Case-control study. SETTING Hospital-based study. PATIENTS Nine healthy controls, nine morbidly obese subjects and eight post-gastrectomy subjects. INTERVENTION Subjects attended after an overnight fast and were given a fixed energy meal (1550 kJ). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE The response of obestatin to a meal in the different groups. RESULTS Fasting obestatin was significantly lower in obese subjects as compared to lean subjects (27.8+/-4 vs 17.2+/-2 pg/ml, P=0.03). Obestatin was also decreased in gastrectomy subjects but this did not reach statistical significance (27.8+/-4 vs 21.9+/-3 pg/ml, P=0.3). Obestatin did not change significantly from baseline in response to the meal. Lean and obese subjects had a similar obestatin/ghrelin ratio (0.04+/-0.003 vs 0.05+/-0.009, P=0.32), but this was higher in the gastrectomy group (0.04+/-0.003 vs 0.1+/-0.01, P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS Obestatin does not vary significantly with a fixed energy meal, but is significantly lower in morbidly obese subjects as compared to lean subjects supporting a possible role for obestatin in long-term body weight regulation. Obestatin tended to be lower in gastrectomy subjects and their obestatin/ghrelin ratio differed from healthy controls. Hence, the expression of obestatin is altered following gastrectomy, suggesting other sites outside the stomach may also secrete obestatin.
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Affiliation(s)
- M S B Huda
- Diabetes and Endocrinology Research Group, Clinical Sciences Centre, University Hospital Aintree, Liverpool, UK
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Butler MG, Bittel DC. Plasma obestatin and ghrelin levels in subjects with Prader-Willi syndrome. Am J Med Genet A 2007; 143A:415-21. [PMID: 17304548 PMCID: PMC5463458 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.31687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is an obesity syndrome characterized by rapid weight gain and excessive food intake. Food intake is regulated by the hypothalamus but directly influenced by gastrointestinal peptides responding to the nutritional status and body composition of an individual. Ghrelin, derived from preproghrelin, is secreted by the stomach and increases appetite while obestatin, a recently identified peptide derived post-translationally from preproghrelin, works in opposition to ghrelin by decreasing appetite. The objective of this study was to measure fasting obestatin and ghrelin levels in peripheral blood of subjects with PWS and compare to age and gender matched control subjects. Plasma obestatin and ghrelin levels were measured in subjects with PWS (n = 16, mean age = 16.0 +/- 13.3 years; age range 1-44 years) and age and gender matched control subjects (n = 16). Significantly higher obestatin levels were seen in the 16 PWS subjects (398 +/- 102 pg/ml) compared with 16 controls (325 +/- 109 pg/ml; matched t-test, P = 0.04), particularly in 5 young (< or =3 years old) PWS subjects (460 +/- 49 pg/ml) compared with 5 young controls (369 +/- 96 pg/ml; matched t-test, P = 0.03). No significant difference in ghrelin levels was seen between the PWS and comparison groups. No significant correlation was observed for either peptide when compared with body mass index but a significant negative correlation was seen for ghrelin and age in PWS subjects. Our observations suggest that obestatin may be higher in infants with PWS compared to comparison infants. The possibility that obestatin may contribute to the failure to thrive which is common in infants with PWS warrants further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Merlin G Butler
- Section of Medical Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Children's Mercy Hospitals and Clinics and University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine, Kansas City, Missouri 64108, USA.
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