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Updated: Jan 4, 2026

Control of Eating Behavior Using a Novel Feedback System
Published on: May 8, 2018
The elusive "hunger protein": an appetite-stimulatory factor that is overabundant in human obesity
José Manuel Bravo-San Pedro1,2,3, Valentina Sica1,2,3, Guido Kroemer1,2,3,4,5,6
1INSERM U1138, Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Sorbonne Université, Université de Paris, Paris, France.
Abstract:
Paradoxically, most if not all previously known appetite-stimulatory hormones are downregulated in human obesity, reflecting failing homeostatic circuitries. Recently, we discovered that acyl-coenzyme-A binding protein/diazepam-binding inhibitor (ACBP/DBI) acts as a lipogenic and appetite stimulator, when systemically injected into mice. ACBP/DBI plasma levels are also elevated in obese subjects, supporting the notion that it may represent the elusive "hunger protein" that explains overeating in human obesity.
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