Central prostaglandins in food intake regulation

Prostaglandin (PG) E2 and PGD2, produced in the mammalian central nervous system, are known to have a variety of central actions on sleep, body temperature, and pain response via G-protein–coupled seven-transmembrane receptors. We found that centrally administered PGE2 suppressed food intake via the EP4 receptor, whereas PGD2 increased food intake via the DP1 receptor coupled to the neuropeptide Y Y1 receptor. In this review, we summarize roles of central PGs in food intake regulation and discuss the relation between PGs and neuropeptides controlling food intake.