Author: Maryam Ayres
Time for reading: ~1
minutes
Last Updated:
August 08, 2022
Discovery finds a new way to effectively eliminate hunger signals directly in the control center ...
The molecular mechanism by which the body controls appetite has been discovered , writes an article in the journal Cell Metabolism . Until now, it was known that leptin, which is released from the hypothalamus in the brain, suppresses appetite, but it was not clear exactly how it works. Most likely, the discovery can find a way to affect the appetite from the outside and prevent excessive and excessive food intake.
Appetite is controlled by a center in the hypothalamus. It also houses the centers for thirst , control of emotions and behavior.
Appetite is regulated by the hormone leptinwhich is secreted by fat cells. It has points of contact with the neuroendocrine, nervous system and metabolism in the functioning of the body.
The team of Dr. Barbara Kahn from the hospital at Harvard Medical School found that leptin stops the action of the protein AMRK. This protein is activated when there is a lack of energy in the cell, and it puts it in supply mode by stopping the process of fatty acid synthesis and accelerating their oxidation.
According to Dr. Kahn, the most interesting thing is that in muscle, leptin does the exact opposite - it activates the protein. "AMRK is like an energy storage tool," she explains.
Scientists suggest that suppressed protein in the hypothalamus plays a role in body weightand therefore they undertake to study the mechanism of its action. They found a series of sequential reactions that resulted from the fusion of several metabolic pathways. The latter have been studied recently by a number of scientific teams, as they are thought to be important for the functioning of cells, including cancer cells.
According to the researchers, the chain of reactions reveals the possibility of a new approach not only in the control of appetite, but also in the treatment of tumors and other serious diseases.
We are all aware of the current epidemic of obesity worldwide. In the last 30 years, the number of overweight people has doubled. It is estimated that in 3 years there will be about 2.3 billion. overweight people.