ABSTRACT
Over the past decade, advances in endocrine and neuro-
sciences research have revolutionized our understanding
of the biological basis underlying the complex regulation
of glucose and energy homeostasis. These advances
include not only the discovery and characterization of
numerous novel hormones but also a much deeper under-
standing of how various peripheral endocrine signals are
integrated within the central nervous system (CNS) to
regulate energy homeostasis. It is widely recognized that
hormonal signals secreted from pancreatic islets [e.g.,
glucagon, insulin, amylin, and pancreatic polypeptide
(PP)], the gut [e.g., glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1),
glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide, cholecysto-
kinin (CCK), and peptide YY (PYY)], and white adipose
tissue (e.g., leptin and adiponectin) collectively play a
pivotal role in the physiological regulation of glucose
metabolism, food intake, and body weight (1).
