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Study Links Brain Enzyme and Obesity
Reported July 22, 2009
(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Having trouble losing weight and keeping your
type 2 diabetes under control? A key enzyme in the brain may be behind the
difficulties.
A new study shows decreasing the levels of the brain enzyme
prolylcarboxypeptidase (PRCP) led to weight loss and a decreased risk of
type 2 diabetes.
Researchers studied mice and found PRCP is located in the hypothalamus. PRCP
regulates levels of the alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone alpha-MSH,
which is a peptide known for inhibiting food intake and stimulating energy
expenditure. Blocking the PRCP enzyme keeps the alpha-MSH peptides from
being degraded, resulting in higher levels of alpha-MSH and decreased
appetite.
"Our research provides the first evidence that breaking down molecules in
the brain that regulate metabolism is an important component of weight
control," Sabrina Diano, associate professor at the Yale School of Medicine
in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences and
the Department of Neurobiology, was quoted saying. "Our findings provide a
possible new target for the development of drugs to control metabolic
disorders such as obesity and type 2 diabetes."
SOURCE: Journal of Clinical Investigation, Vol. 119, August 2009 |
