Neuropeptide W’s role in mammals’ energy balance control
Neuropeptide W may play an important central role in the feeding intake and energy balance control in mammals.
Neuropeptide W (NPW) is produced in neurons located in hypothalamus, brain stem and antral G cells and its receptors are present in the hypothalamus, in particular in the paraventricular nucleus. There are two forms of the peptide, designated as neuropeptide W-23 (NPW23) and neuropeptide W-30 (NPW30). Neuropeptide W is an endogenous ligand for G-protein-coupled receptor, GPR7 and GPR8 receptors.
We conducted this study to investigate the effects of NPW on feeding intake and energy expenditure in Wistar rats. Systemic injection of both forms of neuropeptide W (NPW23 and NPW30) to ad libitum feeding Wistar rats decreased dark feeding and fasting-induced feeding. One week of systemic treatment with NPW23 decreased feeding intake and weight gain during the treatment period. On the other hand, systemic treatment with antineuropeptide W antibody increased feeding intake. Moreover, systemic treatment with neuropeptide W-23 raised body temperature and consequently thermogenesis.
These results suggest that neuropeptide W may play an important central role in the feeding intake and energy balance control in mammals.
Source: T. Naso et al., 2013. Central neuropeptide W has anorexigenic effect in rats. JAPAN online March 2013. doi: 10.1111/jpn.12067
Related Articles
The role of inorganic minerals in pet nutrition
The role of gut bacteria in dog obesity
Popular Stories
Digital Edition
Feature
Still in its infancy, cell-cultured meat is being looked at for its possibilities, but environmental challenges exist, as well.
Feature
While forecasts can have short shelf lives, being overtaken by unforeseen events, there’s no question that the U.S. economy and American houseeholds have been buffeted by COVID-19 shutdowns and illnesses, patches of job insecurity despite low unemployment rates and record price inflation only partially offset by wage increases.