Molecular Insights into Appetite Control and Neuroendocrine Disease as Risk Factors for Chronic Diseases in Western Countries

摘要

Environmental factors such as stress, anxiety and depression are important to consider with the global increase in chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer, stroke, obesity, diabetes and neurodegenerative diseases. Brain metabolic diseases associated with conditions such as obesity and diabetes require early intervention with diet, lifestyle and drug therapy to prevent diseases to various organs such as the liver with non alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and other organs such as the heart, lungs thyroid, pancreas, brain, kidneys and reproductive systems. Behavioural stress and the molecular mechanisms that are involved in neuroendocrine diseases such as insulin resistance in obesity require attention since associated inflammatory processes early in the disease process have been associated with neurodegenerative diseases. Molecular neuroendocrine disturbances that cause appetite dysregulation and hyperphagia are closely linked to hyperinsulinemia, dyslipidaemia and reduced lifespan. The origins of metabolic diseases that afflict various organs possibly arise from hypothalamic disturbances with loss of control of peripheral endocrine hormones and neuropeptides released from the brain. Diet and drug therapies that are directed to the autonomic nervous system, neuroendocrine and limbic systems may help regulate and integrate leptin and insulin signals involving various neuropeptides associated with chronic diseases such as obesity and diabetes. The understanding of brain circuits and stabilization of neuroanatomical structures in the brain is currently under investigation. Research that is involved in the understanding of diet and drugs in the stabilization of brain structures such as frontostriatal limbic circuits, hypothalamus brainstem circuits and parasympathetic nervous system is required. Information related to neuropeptides and neurotransmitters that are released from the brain and their regulation by therapeutic drugs requires further assessment. The promise of appropriate diets, lifestyle and drugs that target the CNS and peripheral tissues such as the adipose tissue, liver and pancreas may improve the prognosis of chronic diseases such as obesity and diabetes that are also closely associated with neurodegeneration.