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The unidentified hormonal defense against weight gain
Jens Lund1, Camilla Lund1, Thomas Morville1
1Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Plos Biology
|February 26, 2020
Summary
Scientists are searching for a mysterious blood-borne molecule that may defend against weight gain. Identifying this factor could unlock new obesity treatments and solve a long-standing energy balance enigma.
Area of Science:
- Physiology
- Obesity Biology
- Metabolic Regulation
Background:
- Human biology maintains a specific body fat range for survival.
- Physiological mechanisms preventing low body fat are well-understood.
- Mechanisms counteracting excessive fat gain remain largely unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review evidence for a blood-borne molecule that defends against weight gain.
- To discuss models explaining the role of this factor in body weight control.
- To highlight the potential impact of identifying this factor on obesity treatment.
Main Methods:
- Review of historical and current research on body weight regulation.
- Analysis of evidence suggesting an "unidentified factor of overfeeding".
- Discussion of theoretical models of energy balance.
Main Results:
- Decades of research suggest a circulating factor that opposes excessive weight gain.
- This factor may play a crucial role in defending against obesity.
- Its existence is supported by indirect evidence dating back to the 1950s.
Conclusions:
- The identity of the factor opposing overfeeding is a significant enigma in energy balance.
- Discovering this molecule could revolutionize obesity pharmacotherapy.
- Further research is needed to isolate and characterize this potential anti-obesity factor.
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