Peptides and feeding.

This report reviews the hypothesis that peptides play a role in appetite modulation, stressing that the available evidence is predominantly pharmacological and thus caution needs to be taken in assigning physiological significance at this time. Two peptide systems have been postulated--a peripheral satiety system, typified by the gastrointestinal hormone cholecystokinin and a central feeding system driven by the opioid peptides and neuropeptide Y. This review also discusses the putative role of peptides in the anorexia of aging, drinking elicited by feeding and as mediators of the autonomic effects seen in association with ventromedial hypothalamic lesions.