Metabolic effects of chronic obestatin infusion in rats

Diverse and Complementary Effects of Ghrelin and Obestatin

Ghrelin and obestatin are two “sibling proteins” encoded by the same preproghrelin gene but possess an array of diverse and complex functions. While there are ample literature documenting ghrelin’s functions, the roles of obestatin are less clear and controversial. Ghrelin and obestatin have been perceived to be antagonistic initially; however, recent studies challenge this dogma. While they have opposing effects in some systems, they function synergistically in other systems, with many functions remaining debatable. In this review, we discuss their functional relationship under three “C” categories, namely complex, complementary, and contradictory. Their functions in food intake, weight regulation, hydration, gastrointestinal motility, inflammation, and insulin secretion are complex. Their functions in pancreatic beta cells, cardiovascular, muscle, neuroprotection, cancer, and digestive system are complementary. Their functions in white adipose tissue, thermogenesis, and sleep regulation are contradictory. Overall, this review accumulates the multifaceted functions of ghrelin and obestatin under both physiological and pathological conditions, with the intent of contributing to a better understanding of these two important gut hormones.

Influence of obestatin on the histological development of the small intestine in piglets during the first week of postnatal life

Obestatin is a gastrointestinal peptide having wide-ranging effects on cell proliferation; however, its mechanism of action remains poorly understood. Thus, the aim of the study was to elucidate the effect of exogenous obestatin on the postnatal structural development of the small intestine. Seven-day-old piglets with an average BW of 1.56 ± 0.23 kg were divided into four groups (n = 10) that received intragastrically obestatin (2, 10 or 15 μg/kg BW) or vehicle. After a 6-day experimental period, morphological analysis of gastrointestinal tract and small intestine wall (mitosis and apoptosis indexes, histomorphometry of mucosa and muscularis layers) was performed. The study revealed a seemingly incoherent pattern of the histological structure of the small intestine among the experimental groups, suggesting that the effect of obestatin is both intestinal segment specific and dose dependent. Histomorphometric analysis of the small intestine showed that higher doses of obestatin seem to promote the structural development of the duodenum while simultaneously hindering the maturation of more distal parts of the intestine. Intragastric administration of obestatin increased the crypt mitotic index in all segments of the small intestine with the strongest pro-mitotic activity following the administration of obestatin at a dose of 10 and 15 μg/kg BW. The significant differences in the number of apoptotic cells in the intestinal villi among the groups were observed only in proximal jejunum and ileum. In conclusion, it seems that obestatin shows a broad-spectrum of activity in the gastrointestinal tract of newborn piglets, being able to accelerate its structural development. However, the varied effect depending on the intestinal segment or the concentration of exogenous obestatin causes that further research is needed to clarify the exact mechanism of this phenomenon.

Biochemical properties and biological actions of obestatin and its relevence in type 2 diabetes

Obestatin was initially discovered in rat stomach extract, and although it is principally produced in the gastric mucosa, it can be found throughout the gastrointestinal tract. This 23-amino acid C-terminally amidated peptide is derived from preproghrelin and has been ascribed a wide range of metabolic effects relevant to type 2 diabetes. Obestatin reportedly inhibits gastrointestinal motility, reduces food intake and lowers body weight and improves lipid metabolism. Furthermore, it appears to exert actions on the pancreatic β-cell, most notably increasing β-cell mass and upregulating genes associated with insulin production and β-cell regeneration, with relevance to type 2 diabetes. It is becoming evident that obestatin also exerts pleiotropic effects on the cardiovascular system, possibly modulating blood pressure, endothelial function and triggering cardioprotective mechanisms, which may be important in determining cardiovascular outcomes in type 2 diabetes. Furthermore, it seems that like other gut peptides obestatin has neuroprotective properties. This review examines the biochemical properties of the obestatin peptide (its structure, sequence, stability and distribution) and the candidate receptors through which it may act. It provides a balanced examination of the reported pancreatic and extrapancreatic actions of obestatin and evaluates its potential relevance with respect to diabetes therapy, together with discussion of direct evidence linking alterations in obestatin signalling with obesity/diabetes and other diseases.

Obestatin controls skeletal muscle fiber-type determination

Obestatin/GPR39 signaling stimulates skeletal muscle growth and repair by inducing both G-protein-dependent and -independent mechanisms linking the activated GPR39 receptor with distinct sets of accessory and effector proteins. In this work, we describe a new level of activity where obestatin signaling plays a role in the formation, contractile properties and metabolic profile of skeletal muscle through determination of oxidative fiber type. Our data indicate that obestatin regulates Mef2 activity and PGC-1α expression. Both mechanisms result in a shift in muscle metabolism and function. The increase in Mef2 and PGC-1α signaling activates oxidative capacity, whereas Akt/mTOR signaling positively regulates myofiber growth. Taken together, these data indicate that the obestatin signaling acts on muscle fiber-type program in skeletal muscle.

Obestatin stimulates glucose-induced insulin secretion through ghrelin receptor GHS-R

Orexigenic hormone ghrelin and anorexic hormone obestatin are encoded by the same preproghrelin gene. While it is known that ghrelin inhibits glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS), the effect of obestatin on GSIS is unclear. Ghrelin’s effect is mediated by its receptor Growth Hormone Secretagogue Receptor (GHS-R), but the physiologically relevant receptor of obestatin remains debatable. Here we have investigated the effect of obestatin on GSIS in vitro, in vivo and ex vivo, and tested whether obestatin regulates insulin secretion through GHS-R. We found that under hyperglycemic condition, obestatin augments GSIS in rat insulinoma cells (INS-1) and in pancreatic islets from ghrelin^−/− mice. Surprisingly, obestatin-induced GSIS was absent in β-cells in which GHS-R was suppressed. Obestatin-induced insulin secretion was abolished in the circulation of Ghsr^−/− mice, and in pancreatic islets isolated from Ghsr^−/− mice. We also found that obestatin-induced GSIS was attenuated in islets isolated from β-cell-specific Ghsr knockout MIP-Cre/ERT;Ghsr^f/f mice. Our data collectively demonstrate that obestatin is a potent insulin secretagogue under hyperglycemic condition, and obestatin’s effect on insulin secretion is mediated by GHS-R in pancreatic β-cells. Our findings reveal an intriguing insight that obestatin and ghrelin have opposing effects on insulin secretion, and both are mediated through ghrelin receptor GHS-R.

Obestatin as a key regulator of metabolism and cardiovascular function with emerging therapeutic potential for diabetes

Obestatin is a 23-amino acid C-terminally amidated gastrointestinal peptide derived from preproghrelin and which forms an α helix. Although obestatin has a short biological half-life and is rapidly degraded, it is proposed to exert wide-ranging pathophysiological actions. Whilst the precise nature of many of its effects is unclear, accumulating evidence supports positive actions on both metabolism and cardiovascular function. For example, obestatin has been reported to inhibit food and water intake, body weight gain and gastrointestinal motility and also to mediate promotion of cell survival and prevention of apoptosis. Obestatin-induced increases in beta cell mass, enhanced adipogenesis and improved lipid metabolism have been noted along with up-regulation of genes associated with beta cell regeneration, insulin production and adipogenesis. Furthermore, human circulating obestatin levels generally demonstrate an inverse association with obesity and diabetes, whilst the peptide has been shown to confer protective metabolic effects in experimental diabetes, suggesting that it may hold therapeutic potential in this setting. Obestatin also appears to be involved in blood pressure regulation and to exert beneficial effects on endothelial function, with experimental studies indicating that it may also promote cardioprotective actions against, for example, ischaemia-reperfusion injury. This review will present a critical appraisal of the expanding obestatin research area and discuss the emerging therapeutic potential of this peptide for both metabolic and cardiovascular complications of diabetes.

Bariatric Left Gastric Artery Embolization for the Treatment of Obesity: A Review of Gut Hormone Involvement in Energy Homeostasis

OBJECTIVE

The global population is becoming more overweight and obese, leading to increases in associated morbidity and mortality rates. Advances in catheter-directed embolotherapy offer the potential for the interventional radiologist to make a contribution to weight loss. Left gastric artery embolization reduces the supply of blood to the gastric fundus and decreases serum levels of ghrelin. Early evidence suggests that this alteration in gut hormone balance leads to changes in energy homeostasis and weight reduction. The pathophysiologic findings and current evidence associated with the use of left gastric artery embolization are reviewed.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of obesity continues to increase at an alarming rate, and, thus far, advances in medical management have been relatively ineffective in slowing this trend. Lifestyle modifications such as diet and exercise are effective initially, but most patients regain the weight in the long term. Bariatric surgery is the most effective strategy for achieving long-term weight loss; however, as with all surgical procedures, it has potential complications.

Increased circulating obestatin in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Background

Some peptides, which regulate the metabolic balance, are thought to play important roles in nutritional disorders and systemic inflammation in COPD. Treatment of rats with obestatin decreased body-weight gain. Obestatin was also found to be correlated with inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis. The aims of this study were to investigate the level of circulating obestatin in COPD and to analyze the relationship among obestatin and nutritional status, and systemic inflammation.

Methods

32 COPD patients with BMI less than 20 kg/m² and 22 normal controls were included. Body composition was estimated using “foot-to-foot” BIA technology. Circulating obestatin was determined with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Pulmonary function, TNF-α and C reactive protein were also measured.

Results

The level of circulating obestatin was higher in COPD with underweight than that in normal control (5562.75 ± 3435.43 pg/ml in COPD, 3663.90 ± 2313.95 pg/ml in controls, p = 0.028). BMI, Waist circumference, hip circumference, bodyFAT and FAT% in COPD group were lower than those in normal control. Positive correlation was found among circulating C reactive protein, TNF-α and obestatin. There was no significant correlation among BMI, pulmonary function and obestatin.

Conclusions

This study shows that circulating obestatin is higher in underweight COPD patients, and positively correlated to systemic inflammation, but not to nutritional status.

Effect of TAT-obestatin on proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis and lipolysis in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes

It has been reported that obestatin regulates adipocyte metabolism via receptors on the cell surface. We wondered whether obestatin can interact with intracellular components that activated signalling pathways in adipocytes. Because obestatin (human) only presents one lysine (at position 10), which cannot penetrate the cell membrane, therefore, we used a cell-permeable peptide TAT (49-57) as a vector to carry obestatin across the cell membrane. The goal of this study was to further understand the function of obestatin after penetrating the cell membrane. Our results showed that TAT-obestatin could cross the 3T3-L1 cell membrane in the absence of cytotoxicity. TAT-obestatin showed no effect on the proliferation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. In contrast, obestatin significantly stimulated proliferation at a dose of 10(-11)  M and 10(-13)  M. In addition, TAT-obestatin demonstrated a more potent inhibitory effect on cell apoptosis induced by serum starvation than that of obestatin. During the progress of adipocyte differentiation, TAT-obestatin and obestatin had no effect on adipogenesis. In the lipolysis assay, TAT-obestatin significantly increased glycerol and free fatty acid release from 3T3-L1 adipocytes after 3 h treatment but showed no significant effect on lipolysis after 24 h and 48 h of treatment. In contrast, obestatin (10(-7)  M) had no effect on glycerol release after 3, 24 and 48 h of treatment. The difference between the effect of TAT-obestatin and obestatin on adipocytes metabolism indicated that TAT-obestatin may trigger intracellular signalling as well as signalling at the cell membrane.

Obestatin receptor in energy homeostasis and obesity pathogenesis

Based on the bioinformatic prediction, Zhang and colleagues discovered obestatin, a new 23-amino acid hormone from rat stomach extract encoded by the ghrelin gene. Obestatin is present not only in the gastrointestinal tract, but also in the spleen, mammary gland, breast milk, and plasma. Obestatin appears to function as part of a complex gut-brain network whereby hormones and substances from the stomach, intestine and the brain about satiety or hunger. Given the current research regarding the effects of obestatin and its possible cognate receptor(s), this chapter provides the latest review of the physiological and pathological characteristics of this hormone and its possible receptor(s) in energy homeostasis and obesity.

The ghrelin axis--does it have an appetite for cancer progression?

Ghrelin, the endogenous ligand for the GH secretagogue receptor (GHSR), is a peptide hormone with diverse physiological roles. Ghrelin regulates GH release, appetite and feeding, gut motility, and energy balance and also has roles in the cardiovascular, immune, and reproductive systems. Ghrelin and the GHSR are expressed in a wide range of normal and tumor tissues, and a fluorescein-labeled, truncated form of ghrelin is showing promise as a biomarker for prostate cancer. Plasma ghrelin levels are generally inversely related to body mass index and are unlikely to be useful as a biomarker for cancer, but may be useful as a marker for cancer cachexia. Some single nucleotide polymorphisms in the ghrelin and GHSR genes have shown associations with cancer risk; however, larger studies are required. Ghrelin regulates processes associated with cancer, including cell proliferation, apoptosis, cell migration, cell invasion, inflammation, and angiogenesis; however, the role of ghrelin in cancer is currently unclear. Ghrelin has predominantly antiinflammatory effects and may play a role in protecting against cancer-related inflammation. Ghrelin and its analogs show promise as treatments for cancer-related cachexia. Further studies using in vivo models are required to determine whether ghrelin has a role in cancer progression.

The gastrointestinal peptide obestatin induces vascular relaxation via specific activation of endothelium-dependent NO signalling

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Obestatin is a recently discovered gastrointestinal peptide with established metabolic actions, which is linked to diabetes and may exert cardiovascular benefits. Here we aimed to investigate the specific effects of obestatin on vascular relaxation.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH

Cumulative relaxation responses to obestatin peptides were assessed in rat isolated aorta and mesenteric artery (n≥ 8) in the presence and absence of selective inhibitors. Complementary studies were performed in cultured bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAEC).

KEY RESULTS

Obestatin peptides elicited concentration-dependent relaxation in both aorta and mesenteric artery. Responses to full-length obestatin(1-23) were greater than those to obestatin(1-10) and obestatin(11-23). Obestatin(1-23)-induced relaxation was attenuated by endothelial denudation, l-NAME (NOS inhibitor), high extracellular K(+) , GDP-β-S (G-protein inhibitor), MDL-12,330A (adenylate cyclase inhibitor), wortmannin (PI3K inhibitor), KN-93 (CaMKII inhibitor), ODQ (guanylate cyclase inhibitor) and iberiotoxin (BK(Ca) blocker), suggesting that it is mediated by an endothelium-dependent NO signalling cascade involving an adenylate cyclase-linked GPCR, PI3K/PKB, Ca(2+) -dependent eNOS activation, soluble guanylate cyclase and modulation of vascular smooth muscle K(+) . Supporting data from BAEC indicated that nitrite production, intracellular Ca(2+) and PKB phosphorylation were increased after exposure to obestatin(1-23). Relaxations to obestatin(1-23) were unaltered by inhibitors of candidate endothelium-derived hyperpolarizing factors (EDHFs) and combined SK(Ca) /IK(Ca) blockade, suggesting that EDHF-mediated pathways were not involved.

CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS

Obestatin produces significant vascular relaxation via specific activation of endothelium-dependent NO signalling. These actions may be important in normal regulation of vascular function and are clearly relevant to diabetes, a condition characterized by endothelial dysfunction and cardiovascular complications.

Obestatin and insulin in pancreas of newborn diabetic rats treated with exogenous ghrelin

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of ghrelin treatment on obestatin, insulin gene expression and biochemical parameters in the pancreas of newborn-streptozocin (STZ) diabetic rats. Rats were divided into 4 groups. Group I: control rats treated with physiological saline; group II: control rats treated with 100 μg/kg/day ghrelin; group III: two days after birth rats that received 100mg/kg STZ injected as a single dose to induce neonatal diabetes; group IV: neonatal-STZ-diabetic rats treated with ghrelin for four weeks. Sections of the pancreas were examined with immunohistochemistry for the expression of obestatin and insulin and in situ hybridization for the expression of insulin mRNA. The blood glucose levels were measured. Tissue homogenates were used for protein, glutathione, lipid peroxidation and non-enzymatic glycosylation levels and antioxidant enzyme analysis. There was a significant difference in blood glucose levels in newborn-STZ-diabetic rats compared to ghrelin treated diabetic rats at weeks 1, 2 and 4. In group IV, pancreatic non-enzymatic glycosylation and lipid peroxidation levels were decreased, however, glutathione levels and enzymatic activities were increased. Insulin peptide and mRNA (+) signals in islets of Langerhans and obestatin immunopositive cell numbers showed an increase in group IV compared to group III. These results suggest that administration of ghrelin to newborn rats may prevent effects of diabetes.

Yin and Yang - the Gastric X/A-like Cell as Possible Dual Regulator of Food Intake

Ingestion of food affects secretion of hormones from enteroendocrine cells located in the gastrointestinal mucosa. These hormones are involved in the regulation of various gastrointestinal functions including the control of food intake. One cell in the stomach, the X/A-like has received much attention over the past years due to the production of ghrelin. Until now, ghrelin is the only known orexigenic hormone that is peripherally produced and centrally acting to stimulate food intake. Subsequently, additional peptide products of this cell have been described including desacyl ghrelin, obestatin and nesfatin-1. Desacyl ghrelin seems to be involved in the regulation of food intake as well and could play a counter-balancing role of ghrelin's orexigenic effect. In contrast, the initially proposed anorexigenic action of obestatin did not hold true and therefore the involvement of this peptide in the regulation of feeding is questionable. Lastly, the identification of nesfatin-1 in the same cell in different vesicles than ghrelin extended the function of this cell type to the inhibition of feeding. Therefore, this X/A-like cell could play a unique role by encompassing yin and yang properties to mediate not only hunger but also satiety.

Neuroendocrine and metabolic activities of ghrelin gene products

Acylated ghrelin (AG) is a 28 amino acid gastric peptide a natural ligand for the growth hormone secretagogue (GHS) receptor type 1a (GHS-R1a), endowed with GH-secreting and orexigenic properties. Besides, ghrelin exerts several peripheral metabolic actions, including modulation of glucose homeostasis and stimulation of adipogenesis. Notably, AG administration causes hyperglycemia in rodents as in humans. Ghrelin pleiotropy is supported by a widespread expression of the ghrelin gene, of GHS-R1a and other unknown ghrelin binding sites. The existence of alternative receptors for AG, of several natural ligands for GHS-R1a and of acylation-independent ghrelin non-neuroendocrine activities, suggests that there might be a complex 'ghrelin system' not yet completely explored. Moreover, the patho-physiological implications of unacylated ghrelin (UAG), and obestatin (Ob), the other two ghrelin gene-derived peptides, need to be clarified. Within the next few years, we may better understand the 'ghrelin system', where we might envisage clinical applications.

Nutrient responsive nesfatin-1 regulates energy balance and induces glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in rats

Nesfatin-1 is a recently discovered anorexigen, and we first reported nesfatin-like immunoreactivity in the pancreatic β-cells. The aim of this study was to characterize the effects of nesfatin-1 on whole-body energy homeostasis, insulin secretion, and glycemia. The in vivo effects of continuous peripheral delivery of nesfatin-1 using osmotic minipumps on food intake and substrate partitioning were examined in ad libitum-fed male Fischer 344 rats. The effects of nesfatin-1 on glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) were examined in isolated pancreatic islets. L6 skeletal muscle cells and isolated rat adipocytes were used to assess the effects of nesfatin-1 on basal and insulin-mediated glucose uptake as well as on major steps of insulin signaling in these cells. Nesfatin-1 reduced cumulative food intake and increased spontaneous physical activity, whole-body fat oxidation, and carnitine palmitoyltransferase I mRNA expression in brown adipose tissue but did not affect uncoupling protein 1 mRNA in the brown adipose tissue. Nesfatin-1 significantly enhanced GSIS in vivo during an oral glucose tolerance test and improved insulin sensitivity. Although insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in L6 muscle cells was inhibited by nesfatin-1 pretreatment, basal and insulin-induced glucose uptake in adipocytes from nesfatin-1-treated rats was significantly increased. In agreement with our in vivo results, nesfatin-1 enhanced GSIS from isolated pancreatic islets at both normal (5.6 mM) and high (16.7 mM), but not at low (2 mM), glucose concentrations. Furthermore, nesfatin-1/nucleobindin 2 release from rat pancreatic islets was stimulated by glucose. Collectively, our data indicate that glucose-responsive nesfatin-1 regulates insulin secretion, glucose homeostasis, and whole-body energy balance in rats.

The expanding roles of the ghrelin-gene derived peptide obestatin in health and disease

Obestatin is a 23 amino acid, ghrelin gene-derived peptide hormone produced in the stomach and a range of other tissues throughout the body. While it was initially reported that obestatin opposed the actions of ghrelin with regards to appetite and food intake, it is now clear that obestatin is not an endogenous ghrelin antagonist, but it is a multi-functional peptide hormone in its own right. In this review we will discuss the controversies associated with the discovery of obestatin and explore emerging central and peripheral roles of obestatin, which includes adipogenesis, pancreatic homeostasis and cancer.

Interaction between gastric and upper small intestinal hormones in the regulation of hunger and satiety: ghrelin and cholecystokinin take the central stage

Several peptides are produced and released from endocrine cells scattered within the gastric oxyntic and the small intestinal mucosa. These peptide hormones are crucially involved in the regulation of gastrointestinal functions and food intake by conveying their information to central regulatory sites located in the brainstem as well as in the forebrain, such as hypothalamic nuclei. So far, ghrelin is the only known hormone that is peripherally produced in gastric X/A-like cells and centrally acting to stimulate food intake, whereas the suppression of feeding seems to be much more redundantly controlled by a number of gut peptides. Cholecystokinin produced in the duodenum is a well established anorexigenic hormone that interacts with ghrelin to modulate food intake indicating a regulatory network located at the first site of contact with nutrients in the stomach and upper small intestine. In addition, a number of peptides including leptin, urocortin 2, amylin and glucagon-like peptide 1 interact synergistically with CCK to potentiate its satiety signaling effect. New developments have led to the identification of additional peptides in X/A-like cells either derived from the pro-ghrelin gene by alternative splicing and posttranslational processing (obestatin) or a distinct gene (nucleobindin2/nesfatin-1) which have been investigated for their influence on food intake.

Biological effects of obestatin

Obestatin, a 23-amino-acid peptide, is derived from the preproghrelin precursor. Obestatin was identified in 2005 as a hormone regulating food intake and energy, and having opposite effects to those of ghrelin. However, as studies have progressed, many disputes on the physiological function of obestatin have emerged. The food intake suppressive effects of obestatin have not been replicated in many studies. Nonetheless, many biological roles of obestatin have been revealed, and obestatin is thought to be associated with a variety of biological functions such as feeding, drinking, incretion, memory, and sleep, and with neuropsychiatric manifestations. The biological effects of obestatin will be reviewed in this article.

Chronic treatment with a stable obestatin analog significantly alters plasma triglyceride levels but fails to influence food intake; fluid intake; body weight; or body composition in rats

Obestatin (OB(1-23) is a 23 amino acid peptide encoded on the preproghrelin gene, originally reported to have metabolic actions related to food intake, gastric emptying and body weight. The biological instability of OB(1-23) has recently been highlighted by studies demonstrating its rapid enzymatic cleavage in a number of biological matrices. We assessed the stability of both OB(1-23) and an N-terminally PEGylated analog (PEG-OB(1-23)) before conducting chronic in vivo studies. Peptides were incubated in rat liver homogenate and degradation monitored by LC-MS. PEG-OB(1-23) was approximately 3-times more stable than OB(1-23). Following a 14 day infusion of Sprague-Dawley rats with 50 nmol/kg/day of OB(1-23) or a N-terminally PEGylated analog (PEG-OB(1-23)), we found no changes in food/fluid intake, body weight and plasma glucose or cholesterol between groups. Furthermore, morphometric liver, muscle and white adipose tissue (WAT) weights and tissue triglyceride concentrations remained unaltered between groups. However, with stabilized PEG-OB(1-23) we observed a 40% reduction in plasma triglycerides. These findings indicate that PEG-OB(1-23) is an OB(1-23) analog with significantly enhanced stability and suggest that obestatin could play a role in modulating physiological lipid metabolism, although it does not appear to be involved in regulation of food/fluid intake, body weight or fat deposition.

Metabolic and structural properties of human obestatin {1-23} and two fragment peptides

Obestatin is a peptide produced in the oxyntic mucosa of the stomach and co-localizes with ghrelin on the periphery of pancreatic islets. Several studies demonstrate that obestatin reduces food and water intake, decreases body weight gain, inhibits gastrointestinal motility, and modulates glucose-induced insulin secretion. In this study we evaluated the acute metabolic effects of human obestatin {1-23} and fragment peptides {1-10} or {11-23} in high-fat fed mice, and then investigated their solution structure by NMR spectroscopy and molecular modelling. Obestatins {1-23} and {11-23} significantly reduced food intake (86% and 90% respectively) and lowered glucose responses to feeding, whilst leaving insulin responses unchanged. No metabolic changes could be detected following the administration of obestatin {1-10}. In aqueous solution none of the obestatin peptides possessed secondary structural features. However, in a 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol (TFE-d(3))-H(2)O solvent mixture, the structure of obestatin {1-23} was characterized by an alpha-helix followed by a single turn helix conformation between residues Pro(4) and Gln(15) and His(19) and Ala(22) respectively. Obestatin {1-10} showed no structural components whereas {11-23} contained an alpha-helix between residues Val(14) and Ser(20) in a mixed solvent. These studies are the first to elucidate the structure of human obestatin and provide clear evidence that the observed alpha-helical structures are critical for in vivo activity. Future structure/function studies may facilitate the design of novel therapeutic agents based on the obestatin peptide structure.

Ghrelin gene products and the regulation of food intake and gut motility

A breakthrough using "reverse pharmacology" identified and characterized acyl ghrelin from the stomach as the endogenous cognate ligand for the growth hormone (GH) secretagogue receptor (GHS-R) 1a. The unique post-translational modification of O-n-octanoylation at serine 3 is the first in peptide discovery history and is essential for GH-releasing ability. Des-acyl ghrelin, lacking O-n-octanoylation at serine 3, is also produced in the stomach and remains the major molecular form secreted into the circulation. The third ghrelin gene product, obestatin, a novel 23-amino acid peptide identified from rat stomach, was found by comparative genomic analysis. Three ghrelin gene products actively participate in modulating appetite, adipogenesis, gut motility, glucose metabolism, cell proliferation, immune, sleep, memory, anxiety, cognition, and stress. Knockdown or knockout of acyl ghrelin and/or GHS-R1a, and overexpression of des-acyl ghrelin show benefits in the therapy of obesity and metabolic syndrome. By contrast, agonism of acyl ghrelin and/or GHS-R1a could combat human anorexia-cachexia, including anorexia nervosa, chronic heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, liver cirrhosis, chronic kidney disease, burn, and postsurgery recovery, as well as restore gut dysmotility, such as diabetic or neurogenic gastroparesis, and postoperative ileus. The ghrelin acyl-modifying enzyme, ghrelin O-Acyltransferase (GOAT), which attaches octanoate to serine-3 of ghrelin, has been identified and characterized also from the stomach. To date, ghrelin is the only protein to be octanylated, and inhibition of GOAT may have effects only on the stomach and is unlikely to affect the synthesis of other proteins. GOAT may provide a critical molecular target in developing novel therapeutics for obesity and type 2 diabetes.

Ghrelin, des-acyl ghrelin and nesfatin-1 in gastric X/A-like cells: role as regulators of food intake and body weight

Numerous peptides released from endocrine cells in the intestinal mucosa were established early on to be involved in the physiological regulation of food intake with a prominent role in termination of food ingestion when nutrients pass along the intestinal tract. Recently, peptides released from X/A-like endocrine cells of the gastric oxyntic mucosa were recognized as additional key players in the regulation of feeding and energy expenditure. Gastric X/A-like cells release the octanoylated peptide, ghrelin, the only known peripherally produced hormone stimulating food intake through interaction with growth hormone secretagogue 1a receptor (GHS-R1a). Additionally, non-octanoylated (des-acyl) ghrelin present in the circulation at higher levels than ghrelin is currently discussed as potential modulator of food intake by opposing ghrelin's action independent from GHS-R1a although the functional significance remains to be established. Obestatin, a ghrelin-associated peptide was initially reported as anorexigenic modulator of ghrelin's orexigenic action. However, subsequent reports did not support this contention. Interesting is the recent identification of nesfatin-1, a peptide derived from the nucleobindin2 gene prominently expressed in gastric X/A-like cells in different vesicles than ghrelin. Circulating nesfatin-1 levels vary with metabolic state and peripheral or central injection inhibits dark phase feeding in rodents. Overall, these data point to an important role of gastric X/A-like cells in food intake regulation through the expression of the orexigenic peptide ghrelin along with des-acyl ghrelin and nesfatin-1 capable of reducing food intake upon exogenous injection although their mechanisms of action and functional significance remain to be established.

Current knowledge of the roles of ghrelin in regulating food intake and energy balance in birds

A decade has passed since the peptide hormone ghrelin was first discovered in rat stomach. During this period, ghrelin has been identified not only in other mammals but also in fish, amphibians, reptiles and birds, and its physiological functions have been widely investigated. Avian ghrelin was first identified in chickens in 2002 and to date, the amino acid sequences of six different avian ghrelin peptides have been reported. In mammals, ghrelin is the only known gut-derived hormone to stimulate food intake when administered centrally or peripherally. In studies on chickens and quail, however, ghrelin inhibits food intake when injected centrally, while the effects on feeding behavior elicited by ghrelin injected peripherally are equivocal. This review summarizes what is currently known about the regulation of food intake and energy balance by ghrelin in birds.

Disruption of G protein-coupled receptor 39 impairs insulin secretion in vivo

GPR39 is a G protein-coupled receptor expressed in liver, gastrointestinal tract, adipose tissue, and pancreas. We have recently shown that young GPR39(-/-) mice have normal body weight, food intake, and fasting glucose and insulin levels. In this study, we examined the role of GPR39 in aging and diet-induced obese mice. Body weight and food intake were similar in wild-type and GPR39(-/-) mice as they aged from 12 to 52 wk or when fed a low-fat/high-sucrose or high-fat/high-sucrose diet. Fifty-two-week-old GPR39(-/-) mice showed a trend toward decreased insulin levels after oral glucose challenge. When fed either a low-fat/high-sucrose or high-fat/high-sucrose diet, GPR39(-/-) mice had increased fed glucose levels and showed decreased serum insulin levels during an oral glucose tolerance test in the face of unchanged insulin tolerance. Pancreas morphology and glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in isolated islets from wild-type and GPR39(-/-) mice were comparable, suggesting that GPR39 is not required for pancreas development or ex vivo insulin secretion. Small interfering RNA-mediated knockdown of GPR39 in clonal NIT-1 beta-cells revealed that GPR39 regulates the expression of insulin receptor substrate-2 and pancreatic and duodenal homeobox-1 in a cell-autonomous manner; insulin receptor substrate-2 mRNA was also significantly decreased in the pancreas of GPR39(-/-) mice. Taken together, our data indicate that GPR39 is required for the increased insulin secretion in vivo under conditions of increased demand, i.e. on development of age-dependent and diet-induced insulin resistance. Thus, GPR39 agonists may have potential for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

Is GPR39 the natural receptor of obestatin?

GPR39, an orphan receptor belonging to the family of G protein-coupled receptors, was originally reported to be the receptor of obestatin. However recently, numerous reports have questioned this conclusion. In mammals, GPR39 was reported to be involved in the regulation of gastrointestinal and the metabolic functions. In this article, a latest and brief review on the receptor family, structure, distribution and physiological functions of GPR39 has been reported.

Obestatin, obesity and diabetes

The high prevalence of obesity and diabetes will lead to higher rates of morbidity and mortality. It is well known that ghrelin plays a potential role in obesity and diabetes. Obestatin, a novel 23 amino acid amidated peptide encoded by the same gene that encodes ghrelin, was initially reported to have opposite actions to ghrelin in the regulation of food intake, emptying of the stomach and body weight. Recent work suggests that obestatin also regulate beta-cell survival and insulin secretion. The ghrelin-obestatin system is, therefore, a promising target for the developing of new drugs for the treatment of obesity and diabetes. This review summarizes the interrelationship between obestatin, obesity and diabetes.

In vitro metabolic stability of obestatin: kinetics and identification of cleavage products

The in vitro metabolic stability testing on synthetic obestatin peptides from two different species (human hOb and mouse mOb) using HPLC analysis is described. A reversed-phase C(18) column of 300A pore size was used, with a gradient system based on aqueous formic acid and acetonitrile. Electrospray ionization (ESI) ion trap mass spectrometry was used for identification of the chromatographic eluting peptide metabolic products, while UV (DAD) and fluorescence served quantitative purposes. Differences in the metabolic degradation kinetics of hOb and mOb were found in plasma, liver and kidney homogenate, with half-lives ranging between 12.6 and 138.0min. Proteolytic hydrolysis at the N-terminal Phe residue and cleavage at Pro(4)-Phe(5) were found to be two major metabolic pathways, accounting for more than 50% of the metabolic degradation. Several other labile peptide bonds were located. The influence of a standard protease inhibitor cocktail was investigated, as well as the metabolism of iodinated human obestatin in liver homogenate. Our results indicate that the major instability of obestatin peptides, as currently used in biomedical investigations, should be taken into account in the interpretation of the obtained results.

Roles of obestatin and its receptor in regulation of gastrointestinal motility

Obestatin, a novel 23-amino acid amidated brain/gut peptide synthesized in the stomach, was initially reported to reduce food intake, body weight gain and gastric emptying and suppress intestinal motility through an interaction with the orphan G-protein coupled receptor GPR39. Obestatin is derived from the same gene product as ghrelin by differential posttranslational processing and modification, which exerts effects opposite to those of ghrelin. However, recent reports have shown that the above findings had been questioned by several groups. According to the controversy that obestatin is unlikely to be the endogenous ligand for GPR39 and obestatin has no impacts on gastrointestinal motility, this paper reviews the studies related to obestatin and GPR39 and its impacts on gastrointestinal motility.

Treadmill exercise reduces obestatin concentrations in rat fundus and small intestine

Ghrelin and obestatin both are orexigenic/anorexigenic peptides which are secreted from gastrointestinal tracts (fundus submucosa cells). Obestatin is a 23 amino acid peptide recently isolated from rat stomach, is encoded by the same gene that encodes ghrelin. It has been suggested that ghrelin/obestatin stimulate growth hormone release and have opposite actions on food intake. Distribution and biological activity of obestatin and its role in energy balance were studied in rodents. The purpose of the present study was to investigate fundus and intestine obestatin concentrations and selected hormonal responses to a treadmill exercise running program. Fourteen adult Wistar male rats (12-14 weeks old, 235-250 g) were used for this study. Animals were divided into control (n=7) and training (n=7) groups. Training group was given exercise on a motor-driven treadmill at 25 m/min (0% grade) for 60 min/day, 5 days/week for 6 weeks. Rats were sacrificed 48 h after the last session of exercise fundus, small intestine, and liver were excised, immediately washed in ice-cold saline, and frozen in liquid nitrogen for determination of obestatin and ATP concentrations and liver glycogen content. Plasma was collected for glucose, growth hormone (GH), insulin, and cortisol measurements. Total obestatin concentrations were significantly (P<0.045, P<0.032, respectively) low in trained rat fundus and intestine at rest. Fundus and intestine ATP content remained unchanged. Liver glycogen content was significantly (P<0.039) higher in trained rats. Changes in plasma total obestatin, glucose, insulin, cortisol levels were not significant. Plasma GH concentrations was significantly (P<0.001) higher in trained animals when compared with control rats. The data indicate that moderate treadmill exercise was able to reduce fundus and small intestine total obestatin concentrations and this reduction was accompanied with a higher plasma GH and liver glycogen content in trained rats. Exercise training might modulate fundus and intestine total obestatin levels via an improvement of energy source and a negative feedback action of GH on this peptide.