[BLOOD-BRAIN BARRIER AND EVOLUTION OF PEPTIDE REGULATION. OF PHYSIOLOGICAL FUNCTIONS].

Literature and own data on the central effects of regulatory peptides (115 substances from 32 families) have been analyzed. The peptides produced by peripheral tissues affect the brain through the almost impenetrable for them blood-brain barrier and evoke numerous central effects. The mechanisms of this action are as follows: binding of the peptide with specific receptors on vagal afferents and in the circumventricular organs as well as (to a lower extent) penetration into the brain with the aid of specific transport systems or by the way of simple diffusion. The number of these cross-barrier communications depends on the evolutionary age of the regulated physiological function: the more ancient the function is, the more peripheral peptides affect the mechanisms of its brain regulation.