In 1994, Zhang et al discovered the Ob gene and the hormone leptin1. This brought about the idea that obesity might have genetic-related factors and may not simply involve lack of self-control and overeating in the individual. The Ob gene regulates the amount of body fat storage in the body2. When the Ob gene signals, the hormone leptin is secreted from adipocytes1 and it travels to the hypothalamus in the brain2. This signals the hypothalamus to induce a feeling of satiety2. In other words, leptin secretion causes the stomach to feel full and ceases the necessity for eating. Once this discovery was made, the idea of obesity treatment came into play. If a hormone with satiety-inducing effects can be utilized for treatment then obesity may possibly become a null issue. Unfortunately this is an issue that still stands today – 20 years after the discovery of leptin.
Research into leptin treatment began on rats. A 1996 study by Chen et al showed beneficial results in rats when treated with exogenous leptin3. The rats treated with leptin showed decreased food intake and did not see any weight gain compared to the other groups that were treated with saline. This study basically confirmed the effects of leptin – increased satiety leading to reduced food intake. In this case, there was no weight gain as opposed to the other groups that saw significant weight gain. Leptin, then, can prevent weight gain.
So leptin can prevent weight gain in rats. While that is great and all, the real beneficial impact from leptin will come if it can have the same effect in humans. Research has shown that exogenous leptin treatment can promote weight loss in both lean and obese individuals4. Obese subjects were prescribed a reduced calorie diet to supplement...
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...and Metabolism). Circulation. 2003;107(10):1448-53.
7. Farooqi IS, O'rahilly S. Leptin: a pivotal regulator of human energy homeostasis. Am J Clin Nutr. 2009;89(3):980S-984S.
8. Brennan AM, Mantzoros CS. Drug Insight: the role of leptin in human physiology and pathophysiology--emerging clinical applications. Nat Clin Pract Endocrinol Metab. 2006;2(6):318-27.
9. Münzberg H, Myers MG. Molecular and anatomical determinants of central leptin resistance. Nat Neurosci. 2005;8(5):566-70.
10. Enriori PJ, Evans AE, Sinnayah P, Cowley MA. Leptin resistance and obesity. Obesity (Silver Spring). 2006;14 Suppl 5(S8):254S-258S.
11. Kotidis EV, Koliakos GG, Baltzopoulos VG, Ioannidis KN, Yovos JG, Papavramidis ST. Serum ghrelin, leptin and adiponectin levels before and after weight loss: comparison of three methods of treatment--a prospective study. Obes Surg. 2006;16(11):1425-32.
This then further contributes to impaired insulin signalling and endothelial dysfunction (Radin, et al., 2009). Energy restriction through a nutritional plan has been associated with improved glucose tolerance (Freestone, et al., 1992 and Van Weyenberg, et al., 2008). Insulin resistance and obesity has become a lot more common in recreational breeds such as the Spanish Mustang, Morgan, Warmbloods but is still most commonly seen in pony breeds (Johnson, 2002; Irelanda, et al., 2013 and Carter, et al., 2009).... ... middle of paper ... ...
Sethi, J. K., Vidal-Puig, A. J., (2007). Targeting fat to prevent diabetes. Cell Metab. . 5 (5), 357-70.
Obesity is a health problem which is growing very rapidly all over the world. Current health articles such as this one, are emphasizing the importance of diet and exercise, to keep a healthy body weight, and to avoid obesity and its consequences at all costs. It is extremely important to make sure one is maintaining a good body weight in order to avoid other complications later on in life.
Heilbronn, Leonie K., and Campbell, Lesley V.. “Adipose tissue macrophages, low grade inflammation and insulin resistance in human obesity.” Curr Pharm Des 2008, 14:1225-1230.
Heart disease and obesity goes hand in hand. There is much more of a common occurrence for people who are overweight will more and li...
The Standing Committee of the Institute of Medicine used a broad range of research and studies in order to ensure upmost accuracy when compiling the DRI chapter for niacin. One reference, Grace A. Goldsmith M.D., presents information useful for setting the niacin DRI in her article “Niacin-Tryptophan Relationship in Man and Niacin Requirements.”
Although many individuals are uncertain about the increasing statistics associated with obesity, more than seventy percent of men and virtually sixty-two percent of women within the United States adult population are overweight or obese (Wilmore, Costill, & Kenney). Obesity refers to the condition of having an excessive amount of body fat. If an individual’s amount of body fat becomes too excessive, he/she is at a much greater risk of developing life-altering diseases such as heart failure, hypertension, type II diabetes, cancer, gallbladder disease, osteoarthritis, etc. (Wilmore, et al., 2008).
Ghrelin is created by the stomach and is known, as a peptide released endocrine cells commonly found with in the stomach’s lining. Ghrelin is responsible in sending a message to the brain activating the hunger meanwhile deactivating the satiety cell. It counteracts leptin to increase metabolic efficiency to stimulate a person’s appetite. When your stomach begins to growl it is producing ghrelin. However, the other hormone coming from fat cells are responsible in creating leptin, which acts as a regulator, however, does quite the opposite of ghrelin hormone it turns on the satiety cell and turns off the hunger cell. In obesity fat cells are increasingly high resulting in high leptin levels. However, a combination of obesity and a high insulin levels may cause the stomach cells that produce ghrelin to turn off lowering the levels of ghrelin. Over a period of time with a high level of leptin can lead to the satiety cell becoming insensitive to leptin decreasing ghrelin levels resulting in hunger cells becoming hypersensitive to ghrelin. Although, the leptin levels are high and the ghrelin are low the hunger cells are on meanwhile the satiety cells are off (NCBI,
...ensity and Energy Costs." The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 79.1 (2004): 6-16. Web. 22 Oct. 2013.
According to an article in Oxford Journals, “There is substantial evidence for the hereditability of obesity, and research in both rare and common forms of obesity has identified genes with significant roles in its etiology” (Genetics…).
The specific duration and types of exercises required for weight loss in obese patients has yet to be discovered (Harrison et al., 2004). Nevertheless, a study conducted by Harrison et al. (2004) showed that orlistat was well-tolerated with patients losing 10% of their body weight. Improvements in fasting glucose levels and glycosylated haemoglobin levels were also observed. Similarly, a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of lorcaserin demonstrated a significant reduction in weight at one year and maintenance of weight loss at two years in comparison to placebo (Smith et al.,
The appetite suppressors help reduce over eating and help people make healthier choices of what to eat. Normally when someone is really hungry they do not care what they eat as long as it is a lot. By controlling a person’s hunger, diet pills effect a person’s eating habits. So they help people make better choices on what to eat and how much. The way that diet pills help control hunger is by fooling the brain into thinking it is full. The brain needs a lot of energy to function and the brain gets that energy from sugar. When the blood sugar level is too low the body reacts by sending a signal to raise the blood sugar level by creating hunger. Some diet pills use a combination of amino acids and polysaccharides to supply the brain with unique intermediate metabolites, which are chemical compounds t...
Pharmacotherapy has been known to use and include the following drugs. Thyroid hormone; “helps with the regulation of the metabolism” (EndocrineWeb). Amphetamines; “a central nervous system stimulant that affects chemicals in the brain and nerves” (drugs.com). Phentermine; “acts as an appetite suppressant by affecting the central nervous system” (drugs.com). Amfepramone (diethylpropion); “appetite suppressants” (drugs.com). Phenylpropanolamine; “a decongestant” (drugs.com). Mazindol; “stimulates the central nervous system” (drugs.com). Sibutramine; “a diet aid used to reduce hunger” (drugs.com). And orlistat; “blocks some of the fat that you eat, keeping it from being absorbed by your body” (drugs.com). According to a study in the article Pharmacotherapy for Obesity, “These agents decrease appetite, reduce absorption of fat or increase energy expenditure”
Postlethwait, John H., and Janet L. Hopson. "Body Function and Nutrition." Modern Biology. Orlando: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 2006. Print.
Obesity is a common condition that affects thousands around the world. Its causes may vary from simply eating too much to not getting the exercise needed to attempting to quit smoking. Treatment of this condition may be as simple as getting the right diet or exercise, or a planned schedule from one’s physician. Obesity may be heredity or may be a result of any of the above mentioned causes. It is a serious matter to be dealt with yet may be treated easily.