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OHSU study: Hormone could help with weight loss
Monday, October 31, 2005 | No comments posted.
PORTLAND (AP) — A hormone naturally found in the body can help with weight loss, according to a new study.
Oregon Health & Science University researchers say the hormone, called “PYY,” can reduce food consumption in the morning, leading to mild weight loss.
Previous studies at OHSU and the the Oregon National Primate Research Center showed that PYY could inhibit food intake.
Some researchers believe that PYY may be a natural signal to the brain telling people they are full and should stop eating.
The scientists warn that the effect is minimal and temporary.
“While PYY caused some weight loss in this study, the hormone does not seem to be a silver bullet to fight obesity,” said Michael Cowley, a neuroscience researcher at the primate center.
The hormone decreases appetite only during meals early in the day and does not affect food intake in the evening. In addition, high doses were required to cause weight loss.
The research was conducted on nine rhesus macaque monkeys fed high-fat diets and given infusions of PYY at differing intervals throughout a two-week period. During that time, scientists measured PYY levels in the body and tracked weight changes in the animals.
The monkeys given high doses of PYY twice daily averaged 2 percent body weight loss that was maintained during two weeks of treatment.
Further study is needed to determine if the drug can help with permanent weight loss.
Judy Cameron, co-author of the study, said researchers are seeking ways to battle a national “obesity epidemic” linked to a variety of diseases, including skyrocketing diabetes rates and heightened heart and stroke risks. “Clearly, by attacking the obesity issue, we may be able to prevent many other life-ending illnesses,” Cameron said.
The study appears in the current edition of the journal Diabetes.
Oregon Health & Science University researchers say the hormone, called “PYY,” can reduce food consumption in the morning, leading to mild weight loss.
Previous studies at OHSU and the the Oregon National Primate Research Center showed that PYY could inhibit food intake.
Some researchers believe that PYY may be a natural signal to the brain telling people they are full and should stop eating.
The scientists warn that the effect is minimal and temporary.
“While PYY caused some weight loss in this study, the hormone does not seem to be a silver bullet to fight obesity,” said Michael Cowley, a neuroscience researcher at the primate center.
The hormone decreases appetite only during meals early in the day and does not affect food intake in the evening. In addition, high doses were required to cause weight loss.
The research was conducted on nine rhesus macaque monkeys fed high-fat diets and given infusions of PYY at differing intervals throughout a two-week period. During that time, scientists measured PYY levels in the body and tracked weight changes in the animals.
The monkeys given high doses of PYY twice daily averaged 2 percent body weight loss that was maintained during two weeks of treatment.
Further study is needed to determine if the drug can help with permanent weight loss.
Judy Cameron, co-author of the study, said researchers are seeking ways to battle a national “obesity epidemic” linked to a variety of diseases, including skyrocketing diabetes rates and heightened heart and stroke risks. “Clearly, by attacking the obesity issue, we may be able to prevent many other life-ending illnesses,” Cameron said.
The study appears in the current edition of the journal Diabetes.
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