Alcoholism, craving, and hormones: the role of leptin, ghrelin, prolactin, and the pro-opiomelanocortin system in modulating ethanol intake.
Evidence is growing that appetite regulating peptides such as leptin and ghrelin, but also other hormones including prolactin are altered in alcoholism. The brain pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) system which has important mediating roles in alcohol intake also has important functions in prolactin regulation and energy homeostasis. Furthermore, it has been demonstrated to be functionally integrated with leptin regulation. The satiety factor leptin seems to be counteracted by the gut-derived peptide ghrelin which increases hunger and food intake. Consequently, the POMC system may have a role in integrating regulation of alcohol effects and these seemingly disparate regulatory systems. The goal of this mini-review is to discuss the results of some recent investigations of the potential interactions of these systems with acute and chronic alcohol responses.
Christian-Doppler-Clinic, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy II/Addiction Medicine, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria. f.wurst@salk.at
Friedrich Martin
FM
Wurst
Dennis D
DD
Rasmussen
Thomas
T
Hillemacher
Thomas
T
Kraus
Katrin
K
Ramskogler
Otto
O
Lesch
Kristina
K
Bayerlein
Anja
A
Schanze
Julia
J
Wilhelm
Klaus
K
Junghanns
Tilman
T
Schulte
Gerhard
G
Dammann
Lutz
L
Pridzun
Gerhard
G
Wiesbeck
Johannes
J
Kornhuber
Stefan
S
Bleich
D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D001066:Appetite; D001921:Brain / Q000503:physiopathology; D004328:Drive; D054439:Ghrelin / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007030:Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System / Q000503:physiopathology; D020738:Leptin / Q000502:physiology*; D009042:Motivation; D010913:Pituitary-Adrenal System / Q000503:physiopathology; D011333:Pro-Opiomelanocortin / Q000502:physiology*; D011388:Prolactin / Q000502:physiology*; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology
D054439:Ghrelin; D020738:Leptin; D011333:Pro-Opiomelanocortin; D011388:Prolactin