The present review focuses on adipocytes-released peptides known to be involved in the
control of gastrointestinal motility, acting both centrally and peripherally. Thus, four peptides have
been taken into account: leptin, adiponectin, nesfatin-1, and apelin. The discussion of the related
physiological or pathophysiological roles, based on the most recent findings, is intended to underlie
the close interactions among adipose tissue, central nervous system, and gastrointestinal tract. The
better understanding of this complex network, as gastrointestinal motor responses represent peripheral
signals involved in the regulation of food intake through the gut-brain axis, may also furnish a
cue for the development of either novel therapeutic approaches in the treatment of obesity and eating
disorders or potential diagnostic tools.
