Peripheral Serotonin: a New Player in Systemic Energy Homeostasis

• Published in: Molecules and cells Vol. 38; no. 12; pp. 1023 - 1028
• Main Authors: Namkung, J., Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea, Kim, H., Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea, Park, S., Catholic Kwandong University, Gangwon, Republic of Korea
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Korean Society for Molecular and Cellular Biology 01-12-2015; 한국분자세포생물학회
• Subjects: Adipose Tissue - metabolism; adipose tissue,energy homeostasis,tryptophan hydroxylase; Animals; Appetite - drug effects; Cell Communication - drug effects; Energy Metabolism; Homeostasis - drug effects; Humans; Minireview; Obesity - drug therapy; OVERWEIGHT; SEROTONIN; Serotonin - metabolism; Serotonin Antagonists - therapeutic use; SEROTONINA; SEROTONINE; SOBREPESO; SURPOIDS; 생물학; adipose tissue; tryptophan hydroxylase; serotonin; energy homeostasis; obesity
• ISSN: 1016-8478; 0219-1032
• DOI: 10.14348/molcells.2015.0258

Whole body energy balance is achieved through the coordinated regulation of energy intake and energy expenditure in various tissues including liver, muscle and adipose tissues. A positive energy imbalance by excessive energy intake or insufficient energy expenditure results in obesity and related metabolic diseases. Although there have been many obesity treatment trials aimed at the reduction of energy intake, these strategies have achieved only limited success because of their associated adverse effects. An ancient neurotransmitter, serotonin is among those traditional pharmacological targets for anti-obesity treatment because it exhibits strong anorectic effect in the brain. However, recent studies suggest the new functions of peripheral serotonin in energy homeostasis ranging from the endocrine regulation by gut-derived serotonin to the autocrine/paracrine regulation by adipocyte-derived serotonin. Here, we discuss the role of serotonin in the regulation of energy homeostasis and introduce peripheral serotonin as a possible target for anti-obesity treatment.