Scientists identify agent that regulates appetite

[Guest guest]

HONG KONG (Reuters) - Scientists in Japan have identified a molecule

responsible for making mammals feel full, a discovery that could lead

to new ways to treat obesity in humans.

Scientists believe appetite is controlled in a region of the brain

called the hypothalamus, and the group of researchers claims to be the

first to pinpoint an agent that triggers an increase or decrease in

appetite.

In an article published on Sunday in the online version of the journal

Nature, the scientists identified the molecule as nesfatin-1, which is

produced naturally in the brain.

After injecting the molecule into the brains of rats, the scientists

observed that the rodents began to eat less and lose weight.

The researchers also were able to induce the rats to eat more, by

blocking nesfatin-1.

" After we injected anti-nesfatin-1 antibody, these rats showed

increased appetite and finally showed a progressive increase in body

weight, " Masatomo Mori of the medicine and molecular science

department at Gunma University Graduate School of Medicine told

Reuters in a telephone interview.

Mori said the finding could pave the way for treating obesity, which

has become a major health problem in the developing world as well as

in economically advanced countries.

There are at least a billion overweight adults across the world, 300

million of them considered obese, according to the

World Health Organization.

Obesity has been linked to chronic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes,

cardiovascular disease, hypertension and stroke, and some forms of

cancer.

Source:

http://news./s/nm/20061001/sc_nm/appetite_dc

- Diane