Mechanism for Cause of Obesity

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Author: 
raghanaveen
Saturday, March 12, 2011 - 05:20

Hello everyone,

Not like other disorders obesity is caused for a simple reason i.e. body fails to recognize that its stomach is full and to stop eating after that.

In this blog I am going to explain the mechanism involved for the cause of obesity.

Researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Centerand University Texas identified that there is a hormone called 'leptin' is involved in the process of failure of brain to recognize that his stomach is full.[1][2]

LEPTIN:

Leptin is the 146 amino acid peptide product which is available in large amounts in adipose tissue.[4]

Image Source[7]

Synthesis- Leptin is primarily synthesized in the adipocytes of white adipose tissue. In addition to this, Leptin is also synthesized in brown adipose tissue, placenta, ovaries, skeletal muscle, stomach, mammary epithelial cells, bone marrow, pituitary and liver.[5]

Leptin and regulation of satiety: Mechanism - Leptin signals to the brain that the body has had enough to eat, producing a feeling of satiety.Leptin works by inhibiting the activity of neurons that contain neuropeptide Y (NPY) and agouti-related peptide (AgRP), and by increasing the activity of neurons expressing a-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (a-MSH).[5]

LEPTIN RESISTANCE:

Leptin Resistance is a condition of failure of hypothalamus to respond to higher level of circulating insulin whch results in an increase in appetite followed by weight gain.[6]

This may be due to two reasons -

  • Over secretion of leptin - leads to lose of signaling between brain and stomach.[1]
  • Activation of the cAMP-EPAC pathway[1]

NATURAL WAYS TO AVOID LEPTIN RESISTANCE[6]:

  • Regulating sugar and grain intake
  • Avoiding intake of omega 6 fatty acids
  • Intake of nonstarchy green vegetables
  • Regular physical activities
  • Long & Sound sleep

Finally we can conclude that the above stated conditions are observed by the release of hormone i.e. leptin in exess .So maintainance of fat content in diet is important to control obesity.

REFERENCES:

  1. http://www.zenopa.com/news/800443579/Scientists_discover_signalling_pathway_linked_to_excess_food_cravings
  2. http://www.medindia.net/news/How-the-Brain-may-Fail-to-Gauge-Fullness-After-a-Meal-81743-1.htm
  3. http://www.endocrineweb.com/news/obesity/4639-researchers-discover-cellular-mechanism-may-increase-obesity-type-2-diabetes-risk
  4. www.endotext.org/obesity/obesity3/obesity3.htm
  5. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leptin
  6. http://www.funcrunch.com/leptin-resistance-9524/
  7. http://www.innovations-report.com/bilder_neu/41890_Leptin.jpg
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Comments

raja_picta1023's picture

raja_picta1023

Sun, 03/13/2011 - 09:47

Hello naveen. A very good presentation. On to the point and good. Can you please provide information on the mechanism of activation of leptin. And are there any drugs that can target or regulate it.

with regards K.Raja krishna TEAM ASSIMILATORS http://www.pharmainfo.net/rajapicta1023 email- rajapicta1023@gmail.com

siva_ganesh

Tue, 03/15/2011 - 06:50

Hi Naveen Do obesity causes only due to excessive eating? Won't it come through hereditary? and during which conditions do hypothalamus stop responding to insulin levels? I mean why it will stop responding?

Regards Siva Ganesh sivaganesh_honey@yahoo.com keep smiling About Me http://www.pharmainfo.net/sivaganesh/biography My Blogs http://www.pharmainfo.net/sivaganesh/blog