Appetite Control Hormones are a collection of endogenous signaling molecules that originate primarily from the gastrointestinal tract, adipose tissue, and the central nervous system, collectively regulating hunger, satiety, and energy balance. These key peptides and hormones act on the hypothalamus to modulate feeding behavior and overall energy expenditure. Effective body weight management fundamentally depends on the balanced and coordinated action of this intricate hormonal network. Disruptions in the signaling of these molecules are a major driver of chronic weight dysregulation and obesity, requiring clinical attention for sustained health.
Origin
The concept evolved from the discovery of individual hormones like leptin and ghrelin in the 1990s and early 2000s, which demonstrated a direct endocrine link between energy stores, the gut, and the brain. The term groups these distinct molecules based on their shared functional outcome: the homeostatic regulation of caloric intake. This field has its roots in classical physiology but has been significantly advanced by modern endocrinology and neuroscience. Understanding their origin in various tissues highlights the systemic nature of appetite regulation and its profound complexity.
Mechanism
These hormones operate through a complex dual-system mechanism involving both short-term and long-term signals acting on the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus. Short-term signals, such as Ghrelin (orexigenic, stimulating appetite) and Cholecystokinin (CCK) (anorexigenic, promoting satiety), are released in response to meals and gut distension. Long-term signals, including Leptin from adipocytes and Insulin from the pancreas, provide feedback on energy reserves, influencing overall energy expenditure and body weight set point. The integrated signaling pathways converge to dictate the drive to eat and the sensation of fullness.
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