The Role of Obestatin in Glucose and Lipid Metabolism

Obestatin is a 23 amino acid peptide encoded by the ghrelin gene, which, like ghrelin, is mainly produced by the stomach, as well as by a wide range of other tissues. Obestatin remains a controversial peptide, as the initial finding of its binding to the orphan receptor GPR39 and the inhibitory effect on food intake has been questioned. In fact, to date, its biological effects are still largely unknown, although it is becoming clear that obestatin is a pleiotropic hormone, exerting a variety of effects in different cell types and tissues. Indeed, besides regulating cell proliferation and survival, obestatin has been shown to regulate glucose and lipid metabolism, both in vitro, in pancreatic -cells and adipocytes, and in vivo in rodents. Furthermore, its positive effects on glucose homeostasis, combined with the anti-inflammatory actions, make this peptide appealing as a candidate for treating metabolic disorders such as insulin resistance and diabetes.