Analysis of the relationship between TRP channels expressed in the stomach and appetite for obesity prevention

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K17624
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 55020:Digestive surgery-related
• Research Institution: Nagoya City University
• Principal Investigator: Hayakawa Shunsuke 名古屋市立大学, 医薬学総合研究院(医学), 助教 (40842381)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: グレリン / TRPV4 / 肥満 / 食欲 / 伸展刺激

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The study on ghrelin, one of the hormones involved in the increase of appetite, was conducted. Ghrelin is mainly secreted from the stomach, but its regulatory mechanism has not been fully elucidated.
In the present study, the hypothesis that stimulation of gastric stretch regulates ghrelin secretion via the stretch receptor, TRPV4, was investigated. The results showed that TRPV4 is widely expressed in the stomachs of obese patients. In cellular experiments, ghrelin secretion increased in the presence of stretch stimuli and TRPV4 agonists, but not in the presence of TRPV4 inhibitors.
It is suggested that TRPV4 in the stomach regulates ghrelin secretion in response to stretch stimulation and may affect body weight.

Free Research Field

医学　消化器外科

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

近年，我が国では食生活の欧米化などにより，肥満症が増加傾向である．肥満症は，糖尿病などの生活習慣病を合併し，生命予後に悪影響を与えることは周知の事実である．「神戸宣言2018」では肥満撲滅が謳われており，肥満症の予防や治療は我が国の重要な課題となっている．本研究では食欲に関連するホルモンであるグレリンの制御機構の一端を明らかにすることができた.グレリン分泌を適切に制御することができれば「食欲」のコントロールを行うことが可能となり, 食欲を抑制することで,肥満や糖尿病など生活習慣病の予防や治療に関して,従来と全く異なるアプローチの薬剤を開発できる可能性がある.