Neuroendocrine Regulation of Energy Homeostasis
Summary
Energy homeostasis is maintained through tightly regulated interactions between the nervous and endocrine systems, ensuring balance between caloric intake, energy expenditure and nutrient utilisation. Central circuits centred in the hypothalamus, particularly the arcuate nucleus, integrate peripheral signals such as leptin, insulin and ghrelin with neuropeptidergic pathways to modulate appetite and metabolic rate. Pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) and agouti-related protein (AgRP) neurons exert opposing effects on feeding through melanocortin receptors, while neuropeptide-derived factors, including those from the VGF precursor, fine-tune energy partitioning. Peripheral tissues such as white and brown adipose depots communicate via adipokines and thermogenic signals to adjust heat production and fuel storage. Dysregulation of these neuroendocrine loops contributes to obesity, diabetes and related disorders, rendering this field crucial for developing interventions that restore metabolic equilibrium on a global scale.
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Neuroendocrine Regulation of Energy Homeostasis publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in neuroendocrine regulation of energy homeostasis across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Energy homeostasis: The balance between energy intake, storage and expenditure that sustains organismal function.
Arcuate nucleus: A hypothalamic region containing key neuron populations that regulate hunger and metabolism.
Neuropeptide: A small protein released by neurons to communicate signalling information.
VGF: A precursor protein cleaved into multiple neuropeptides involved in neuroendocrine functions and energy regulation.
TLQP-21: A 21-amino-acid peptide derived from VGF that modulates energy expenditure and metabolic processes.
Leptin: An adipose-derived hormone that signals energy sufficiency to hypothalamic circuits to suppress appetite.
References
- Hypothalamic over-expression of VGF in the Siberian hamster increases energy expenditure and reduces body weight gain. PLOS ONE (2017).
- VGF Peptide Profiles in Type 2 Diabetic Patients’ Plasma and in Obese Mice. PLOS ONE (2015).
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