- Galanina - what is it?
- Galanina - effect on appetite
- Galanina and addictions
- Galaniny - influence on mood
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VERIFIED CONTENTAuthor: Sara Janowska, MA in pharmacy
Galanin is a protein that acts both as a neurotransmitter and a neuromodulator. It is present in the brain, peripheral nervous system and other organs, participating in regulatory processes. Scientists believe that the activity of this peptide may be related to civilization diseases, such as obesity or alcoholism.
Galaninais characterized by multi-directional paths of action. This substance regulates the secretion of hormones, controls the motility of the gastrointestinal tract, the secretion of pancreatic juice and the work of the cardiovascular system.Galanin also plays a significant role in the mechanisms associated with the pathogenesis of eating disorders and obesity .
In 1978, Professor Viktor Mutt discovered a previously unknown protein in the digestive tract of a pig, later called galanin. For decades, this substance has been the subject of scientific research that gradually explains its mysterious role in the human body. Today we know that galanine has an inhibitory effect on neurosynaptic transmission in the regions of the brain associated with remembering and learning.
Scientists suspect that this neuropeptide is also involved in the mechanisms underlying depression.
Galanina - what is it?
Galanin is a substance that regulates the release of hormones by the pituitary gland.Thereforegalaninparticipates in secretion control:
- growth hormone;
- prolactin, primarily responsible for lactation control;
- luteinizing hormone, stimulating the production of progesterone in women and testosterone in men;
- TSH, which determines the activity of the thyroid gland;
- oxytocin, important for the course of childbirth and the production of interpersonal bonds,
- vasopressin, which regulates the amount of water in the body.
There are many indications that many more years of research are required for scientists to learn all the secrets of this neuropeptide. The multidirectional action ofgalaninsuggests that it controls the functions of our body on various levels. Currently, researchers even suspect her of controlling parental behavior in animals.
Galanina - effect on appetite
Research has shown thatthat injections ofgalanininto the paraventricular nucleus intensely stimulate the desire to eat food in rats. The effect of administering this neurotransmitter to the lateral chamber of the hypothalamus on the preference of eating fats in laboratory animals has also been proven.
Galanin is currently believed to play an important role in regulating the appetite for fats . Lipids play important functions in the human body: they are a reserve of energy, guarantee proper thermoregulation and protect internal organs against mechanical damage.
In a situation where there are not enough of them in the body, intensive production ofgalaninbegins in the hypothalamus. The increase in the concentration of this neurotransmitter makes us feel like eating fatty food. If lipids are delivered to the body, the level ofgalanindrops.
The concentration of this neuropeptide in the human body shows regular daily fluctuations. In the morning, the level ofgalaninyis the lowest and in the evening it is highest. For this reason, in the first half of the day we usually crave carbohydrates, while in the second half of the day we prefer fats and alcohol.
The concentration ofgalaninshould control our appetite so that we provide us with the amount of nutrients appropriate for our he alth. Unfortunately, in modern Western civilization we are surrounded by highly processed foods containing huge amounts of hardened fats.
At the same time, we move much less than our prehistoric ancestors, and we often consume alcohol, which additionally disrupts appetite control. All of these factors lead to a situation in which the hypothalamus rages and produces more gallium than it should. As a consequence, the amount of adipose tissue grows dangerously.
Galanina and addictions
Scientists have also shown thatgalaninplays a role in the mechanisms that govern addiction. The increase in the concentration of this neropeptide in the body encourages not only the consumption of fats, but also alcohol.
The participation ofgalaninin the development of other addictions: nicotine and opiate has also been proven. The evidence gathered by the researchers suggests thatgalaninis a potentially important neuromodulator of addiction.
Galaniny - influence on mood
Recent research results suggest that neuropeptides, includinggalanin , may be involved in the development of mood disorders. Norepinephrine and serotonin are two neurotransmitters believed to be central to the mechanisms that govern depression.
Interestingly, these substances are modulated by galanin, which indicates that nueropeptidethis plays an important role in the regulation of depressive states.Galaninprobably also stimulates the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, increasing the secretion of glucocorticoids. Elevated levels of these hormones are common in people suffering from depression.
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Sara Janowska, MA in pharmacyPhD student of interdisciplinary doctoral studies in the field of pharmaceutical and biomedical sciences at the Medical University of Lublin and the Institute of Biotechnology in Białystok. A graduate of pharmaceutical studies at the Medical University of Lublin with a specialization in Plant Medicine. She obtained a master's degree defending a thesis in the field of pharmaceutical botany on the antioxidant properties of extracts obtained from twenty species of mosses. Currently, in his research work, he deals with the synthesis of new anti-cancer substances and the study of their properties on cancer cell lines. For two years she worked as a master of pharmacy in an open pharmacy.