Newly Identified Molecule May Offer Exercise-Like Weight Loss Benefits
WASHINGTON D.C. – Scientists have uncovered a molecule, dubbed Lac-Phe, that appears to mimic teh effects of exercise on appetite and fat loss, potentially paving the way for new weight management treatments.research published in Nature Metabolism details how Lac-Phe interacts with key brain regions to suppress hunger.
Originally developed to mimic a natural hormone that regulates blood sugar levels and sugar cravings, Lac-Phe was first discovered in mice in 2022. Subsequent studies have confirmed its surge in humans following exercise.A recent endurance training study found individuals with higher Lac-Phe levels after exercise experienced greater abdominal fat loss.
Experiments in mice have further illuminated Lac-Phe’s mechanism. Mice bred without the ability to produce Lac-Phe ate more after exercise. Conversely, administering Lac-Phe intravenously to obese mice reduced food intake, decreased body weight and fat content, and improved blood sugar control.
The molecule appears to work by inhibiting AgRP neurons in the hypothalamus – neurons that stimulate hunger by suppressing PVH neurons, which normally dampen appetite. When AgRP production is turned off, PVH neurons become dominant, reducing overall appetite.
“This finding is important because it helps explain how a naturally produced molecule can influence appetite by interacting with a key brain region that regulates hunger and body weight,” explains biochemist jonathan Long at Stanford University.
Neurologist Yang He from Baylor adds, “Understanding how Lac-Phe works is important for developing it or similar compounds into treatments that may help people lose weight. We looked into the brain as it regulates appetite and feeding behaviors.”
While research is in its early stages, the findings suggest a drug based on Lac-Phe’s mechanism could potentially suppress AgRP neurons and, consequently, appetite in humans. The study was published in Nature Metabolism on May 13, 2024.
