In high-, middle-and low-income countries, the rising prevalence of obesity is the underlying
cause of numerous health complications and increased mortality. Being a complex and …

The melanocortin system provides a conceptual blueprint for the central control of energetic
state. Defined by four principal molecular components—two antagonistically acting ligands …

Bone has recently emerged as a pleiotropic endocrine organ that secretes at least two
hormones, FGF23 and osteocalcin, which regulate kidney function and glucose …

Abstract The melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) was cloned in 1993 by degenerate PCR;
however, its function was unknown. Subsequent studies suggest that the MC4R might be …

Numerous circulating peptides and steroids produced in the body influence appetite through
their actions on the hypothalamus, the brain stem, and the autonomic nervous system …

Obesity is a major public health concern. This condition results from a constant and complex
interplay between predisposing genes and environmental stimuli. Current attempts to …

Neural processes that direct an animal's actions toward environmental goals are critical
elements for understanding behavior. The hypothalamus is closely associated with …

The precursor protein, proopiomelanocortin (POMC), produces many biologically active
peptides via a series of enzymatic steps in a tissue-specific manner, yielding the melanocyte …

Obesity and its associated comorbidities represent one of the biggest public health
challenges facing the world today. The heritability of body weight is high, and genetic …

Growing evidence suggests that oxytocin plays an important role in the regulation of energy
balance and that central oxytocin administration induces weight loss in diet-induced obese …