Orexins (orexin A and orexin B), neuropeptides of hypothalamic origin also known as hypocretins, have been well documented for regulating the different physiological functions including feeding, sleep wakefulness, stress, and reward. However, from the past few years, orexins have evolved as an emerging biomarker for various endocrine disorders including diabetes mellitus and obesity which ultimately leads to various cardiovascular risk factors. Orexins exist in two isoforms orexin A and orexin B and exert their effect by acting on the G protein-coupled receptors orexin 1 receptor (OX1R) and orexin 2 receptor (OX2R). Furthermore, localization of orexinergic neurons in the different brain regions has been involved in regulating the cardiovascular and sympathetic activity. Growing evidences have addressed the potential role of orexins including orexin A and orexin B in modulating the hypertension via exerting their effect on the mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), and renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA). The present review summarizes the central role orexins in the hypertension along with the possible mechanism.
Keywords: Cardiovascular; Hypertension; Nitric oxide; Orexin.