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Hormone Can Aid Weight Loss, Researchers at OHSU Report

Posted on: Wednesday, 2 November 2005, 15:00 CST

By AP

PORTLAND (AP) A hormone naturally found in the body can help with weight loss, according to a 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 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.

The study appears in the journal Diabetes.

Source: Columbian

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