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Heptin is an endogenous hormone produced in the stomach that plays a key role in regulating hunger and satiety signals in the body.
Add as Preferred SourceHeptin is an endogenous hormone produced in the stomach that plays a key role in regulating hunger and satiety signals in the body.
Heptin is a peptide hormone primarily produced in the oxyntic glands of the gastric fundus (the upper part of the stomach). It belongs to the family of ghrelin-associated peptide hormones and significantly influences the body's energy balance and food intake. Heptin acts as a signaling molecule between the digestive system and the brain, contributing to the regulation of appetite.
Heptin exerts its effects by binding to specific receptors in the hypothalamus, the brain's central regulatory center for hunger and satiety. Through this mechanism, it inhibits the release of appetite-promoting neuropeptides and promotes the feeling of fullness. At the same time, heptin influences glucose metabolism and can modulate insulin secretion.
In terms of energy balance, heptin plays an important role as a counterpart to ghrelin, the so-called hunger hormone. While ghrelin stimulates appetite, heptin helps suppress hunger. A disrupted balance between these hormones can contribute to conditions such as overweight, obesity, or eating disorders.
Research suggests that changes in heptin levels may be associated with various metabolic diseases. Altered heptin concentrations in the blood have been observed in individuals with type 2 diabetes or obesity. This makes heptin a potential therapeutic target for new strategies in the treatment of metabolic disorders and overweight.
Several factors can influence heptin levels in the body: