Gastrointestinal regulatory peptides and their effects on fat tissue

Purpose of review Regulation of body weight, food intake and appetite is complex and the gastrointestinal tract represents a central organ participating in the regulation of energy homeostasis by signaling to other tissues relevant in this context. This update will provide information regarding recent advances in the understanding of the interaction of gastrointestinal peptides with adipocytes in fat tissue and which biological effects they may exert. Recent findings Several gastrointestinal peptides signal to their functional cognate receptors on adipocytes in white adipose tissue (WAT) thereby regulating glucose homeostasis, lipogenesis, lipolysis, free fatty acid release and may also participate in adipocyte differentiation. Summary Gastrointestinal peptides emanate from enteroendocrine cells in the luminal digestive tract and are critical regulators of energy homeostasis, food intake and appetite. Recent studies have identified that gastrointestinal peptides communicate with WAT and exert their biological effects on fat cells. Fundamental understanding of gastrointestinal peptides and their interaction with adipocytes will provide future insights for the development of pharmacological targets in the treatment of obesity and insulin resistant states.