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