Brain Related Gut Peptides – A Review

Gut peptides are small peptides secreted by gut endocrine cells that can modulate the roles and functions of different organs through signaling. Gut peptides can also majorly impact the body’s energy homeostasis by regulating appetite and energy metabolism. The gut-brain axis (GBA) is bidirectional communication between the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral enteric nervous system. The regulation of appetite acts by hypothalamic neuronal activity. The complex interaction of hedonic and homeostatic factors implicates appetite regulation. In the CNS, the hypothalamus and brainstem have a dominating role in appetite regulation. The arcuate nucleus (ARC) of the hypothalamus plays a vital role in energy homeostasis, while other nuclei also play a role in appetite regulation. The gut conveys peripheral information about energy balance to the brain via gut peptides and receptors for the digestion of food. The varied gut peptides have different actions on appetite regulation.