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The scientists, from Johns
Hopkins University in Baltimore, US, have found out a
chemical, called C75, that stops the production of a
hormone that makes the mice hungry. This compound that
appears to switch off appetite in mice may hold clues to
a similar drug for humans. It rapidly turns off appetite
in mice and causing weight loss similar in many ways to
that achieved by fasting.
| Scientists have long known that a hormone
called neuropeptide Y is a major appetite
regulator - if animals fast, the amount of NPY
increases and stimulates appetite. |
The C75 chemical was
given to the mice by injection, and the scientists found
that their interest in food ceased suddenly within 20
minutes. The chemical is not thought to be toxic in any
other way to mice, although far more rigorous scientific
testing would be needed before any similar compound could
be used on humans.
The scientists have also
discounted direct links to leptins -- appetite-affecting
substances produced by fat tissue -- whose discovery a
few years ago sparked headlines and as yet unrealized
hopes for the perfect diet drug.
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