Metabolic Research Laboratory, Clínica Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, Spain.
Nutr Res Rev. 2012 Dec;25(2):223-48. doi: 10.1017/S0954422412000145.
The alarming prevalence of obesity has led to a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms controlling energy homeostasis. Regulation of energy intake and expenditure is more complex than previously thought, being influenced by signals from many peripheral tissues. In this sense, a wide variety of peripheral signals derived from different organs contributes to the regulation of body weight and energy expenditure. Besides the well-known role of insulin and adipokines, such as leptin and adiponectin, in the regulation of energy homeostasis, signals from other tissues not previously thought to play a role in body weight regulation have emerged in recent years. The role of fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21), insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-I), and sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) produced by the liver in the regulation of body weight and insulin sensitivity has been recently described. Moreover, molecules expressed by skeletal muscle such as myostatin have also been involved in adipose tissue regulation. Better known is the involvement of ghrelin, cholecystokinin, glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) and PYY(3-36), produced by the gut, in energy homeostasis. Even the kidney, through the production of renin, appears to regulate body weight, with mice lacking this hormone exhibiting resistance to diet-induced obesity. In addition, the skeleton has recently emerged as an endocrine organ, with effects on body weight control and glucose homeostasis through the actions of bone-derived factors such as osteocalcin and osteopontin. The comprehension of these signals will help in a better understanding of the aetiopathology of obesity, contributing to the potential development of new therapeutic targets aimed at tackling excess body fat accumulation.
肥胖症的惊人流行率促使人们更好地了解控制能量平衡的分子机制。能量摄入和支出的调节比以前想象的要复杂,受到许多外周组织信号的影响。从这个意义上说,来自不同器官的各种各样的外周信号有助于调节体重和能量消耗。除了胰岛素和瘦素、脂联素等脂肪因子在能量平衡调节中的已知作用外,近年来还出现了其他以前被认为与体重调节无关的组织信号。肝产生的成纤维细胞生长因子 21 (FGF21)、胰岛素样生长因子 1 (IGF-I)和性激素结合球蛋白 (SHBG)在调节体重和胰岛素敏感性方面的作用最近得到了描述。此外,骨骼肌表达的分子,如肌肉生长抑制素,也参与了脂肪组织的调节。更众所周知的是,肠道产生的Ghrelin、胆囊收缩素、胰高血糖素样肽 1 (GLP-1)和 PYY(3-36)参与了能量平衡的调节。甚至肾脏通过产生肾素,似乎也在调节体重,缺乏这种激素的老鼠对饮食诱导的肥胖表现出抵抗力。此外,骨骼最近被认为是一种内分泌器官,通过骨源性因子如骨钙素和骨桥蛋白的作用,对体重控制和葡萄糖稳态产生影响。对这些信号的理解将有助于更好地了解肥胖症的病因病理学,有助于潜在地开发新的治疗靶点,以解决过多的体脂肪积累问题。