Scientists at Stanford Medicine have identified a naturally occurring molecule that could lead to a new generation of weight loss medications. Early animal experiments suggest that it can suppress appetite and promote fat loss much like semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic, while potentially avoiding some of the drug's troublesome side effects. The molecule, known as BRP, works differently from existing treatments.
Rather than affecting several organs throughout the body, it appears to act more selectively on a part of the brain responsible for controlling hunger and metabolism. This more focused approach could eventually help people lose weight without experiencing problems such as nausea, constipation, or substantial muscle loss. Researchers discovered BRP with the help of artificial intelligence, which allowed them to search through thousands of possible biological compounds.
The findings were promising enough that the scientists began preparing for the next major step: determining whether the molecule is safe and effective in humans. "The receptors targeted by semaglutide are found in the brain but also in the gut, pancreas and other tissues," said assistant professor of pathology Katrin Svensson, PhD. "That's why Ozempic has widespread effects including slowing the movement of food through the digestive tract and lowering blood sugar levels.
In contrast, BRP appears to act specifically in the hypothalamus, which controls appetite and metabolism." The hypothalamus is a small but essential region deep within the brain. Among its many responsibilities, it helps regulate hunger, energy use, body temperature, and other functions needed to maintain the body's internal balance. Because it plays such a central role in appetite, it is an important target for researchers developing obesity treatments.
Semaglutide works by imitating a hormone called glucagon-like peptide 1, or GLP-1. This hormone helps regulate blood sugar and signals that influence hunger and feelings of fullness. However, GLP-1 receptors are distributed throughout several parts of the body, which helps explain why medications that activate them can produce effects beyond appetite suppression.
BRP appears to take another route. Although it influences some of the same broad metabolic functions as semaglutide, it activates different populations of brain cells. Scientists believe this distinction could make it possible to control hunger more precisely while reducing unwanted effects elsewhere in the body.
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