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Orexins and their influence on sleep and eating

The influence of orexins on the sleep-wake cycle was the setting where these neuropeptides were discovered. On the other hand, many other functions have been discovered since then, find out about them in this article!

Orexins, also called hypocretins, are two neuropeptides present in most vertebrates.which were discovered in 1998. We are talking about two different neuropeptide hormones, which would come from a common precursor protein, called prepoorexin:

Orexin A or hypocretin 1: made up of 33 amino acids and 2 disulfide bridges.Orexin B or hypocretin 2: made up of 28 amino acids.

They have the function, among others, of carrying intestinal responses to the brain. They are secreted both in the hypothalamus and in neurons and cells of the intestine, stomach and pancreas. Therefore, They have a great influence on nutrition, intake and appetite control.. This is what has been called the brain-gut axis.

However, it has also been seen that are involved in the regulation of the sleep-wake cycle, for example, and even in the regulation of the reproductive process. Let’s look at it in more detail in this article.

How do orexins work?

Two specific orexin receptors have been described: OX1R and OX2R.. Both are G protein-coupled receptors. Orexin A has the ability to bind to both receptors, while orexin B primarily binds to the OX2 receptor.

Although orexinergic neurons are located in certain specific areas of the hypothalamus, it has been discovered that they have very long projections to the entire brain, such as, for example, to certain areas of the limbic system or the reticular system. Hence they have a important role in various emotional, motivational and reward functions.

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Influence on the sleep-wake cycle

The influence of orexins on the sleep-wake cycle was one of the main functions seen in the discovery of these neuropeptides. This orexin/hypocretin system is highly active during wakefulness.. However, they decrease their activation during sleep, especially in REM sleep.

In fact, it has been seen that Narcolepsy syndrome is associated with a deficiency of these hormones or their receptors.. Thus, in this disorder, sleep is disorganized and fragmented and even episodes of REM sleep appear during the waking process.

A lot of research is currently being done in this field in order to discover effective drugs for this type of sleep disturbance. For example, Suvorexant is an orexin receptor antagonist hypnotic marketed in some countries..

Influence on intake and appetite

Orexins, in relation to the intake and intake of food, have the ability to increase appetite. It has been seen, in fact, that The orexin/hypocretin system is closely related to the interaction between the brain and the digestive system.which would be the brain-intestinal axis.

As we said, Orexins, apart from being secreted at the hypothalamic level, are also secreted in the intestine and stomach.. For this reason, they are especially capable of regulating gastric motility or pancreatic hormone secretion, for example.

So, These neuropeptide hormones would be responsible for carrying intestinal sensations to the brain. in order to regulate appetite, especially in the short term. For example, in a situation of fasting or hypoglycemia, orexins would increase in the intestine and carry the information of nutritional deficiency and need for food to the brain.

Other functions of orexins

As we said, Orexins are also especially related to emotions and mood.. This would be given by the connections of these neurons with the limbic system. Its influence has also been seen on memory and learning processes.

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Recently, The influence of orexins on the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis has also been discovered.. According to this, these neuropeptides are also important in regulating the reproductive process. Some of the functions they influence are:

Regulation of sex hormone secretion.Ovulation.Regulation of the function of the testicles and ovaries.Regulation of sexual behavior.

As we have seen, orexins have important potential due to their influence on multiple and different functions of the body. That’s why, It is necessary to continue research in this field, since they can be very useful in the treatment of various types of disorders or alterations.

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All cited sources were reviewed in depth by our team to ensure their quality, reliability, validity and validity. The bibliography in this article was considered reliable and of academic or scientific accuracy.

Pascual-Leone, A. M. (2004). Brain-gut axis: orexins. In Annals of the Royal National Academy of Pharmacy (Vol. 70, No. 4).Salín-Pascual, RJ (2016). New pharmacological strategies for the management of insomnia: Suvorexant, an orexin receptor antagonist. Revista Mexicana de Neurociencia, 17(6), 97-105.Norma, GT, Ulises, AR, & Oscar, GC (2014). Orexins, two hypothalamic peptides: Their location and action in the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis. Rev Mex Neuroci November-December, 15(6), 345-350.

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