博士生以第一作者身份发表Nature：减肥不靠节食！交感神经肽Y启动脂肪燃烧，助力逆转肥胖

Core Insights - Obesity is a prevalent health issue, and understanding its biological mechanisms is crucial for developing effective treatment methods, moving beyond the traditional approach of simply "eating less" [6][8] - Current mainstream weight loss methods primarily focus on appetite suppression, which often leads to a compensatory decrease in energy expenditure, resulting in weight regain [7][8] - A recent study published in Nature by the University of Oxford highlights the role of peripheral neuropeptide Y (NPY) released by sympathetic nerves in maintaining thermogenic fat function, converting energy into heat rather than storing it as fat [7][12] Energy Expenditure vs. Appetite Suppression - The study suggests that mechanisms of energy expenditure may be more important for weight management than merely suppressing appetite [8][16] - Future obesity treatments may focus on precisely regulating energy expenditure pathways, such as activating sympathetic neurons that promote fat burning without restricting food intake [8][16] Role of Neuropeptide Y (NPY) - NPY released by sympathetic nerves promotes the proliferation of specific progenitor cells that develop into fat-burning rather than fat-storing cells [11][12] - The research indicates that the absence of sympathetic NPY leads to a decrease in thermogenic capacity and increased obesity risk, even without increased food intake [12][14] Implications for Obesity Treatment - The findings emphasize that not all obesity is due to overeating, and activating sympathetic neurons to enhance fat burning could provide a new breakthrough in obesity treatment without the need for strict dieting [16]