“管不住嘴”有望破解！《细胞》期刊揭秘大脑“饱腹开关”，助力减肥新药研发提速

Core Viewpoint - Obesity has become a global public health issue, with over 890 million adults classified as obese, accounting for 13% of the total population. The rise in obesity is linked to lifestyle changes and has increased the risk of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular issues. Traditional weight loss strategies of "eat less, move more" are often insufficient, leading to a growing interest in pharmacological interventions like the popular weight loss drug semaglutide, which suppresses appetite [7][12]. Group 1 - The World Health Organization reports that the number of obese adults has surpassed 890 million globally, representing 13% of the total population [7]. - The increase in obesity rates over the past 40 years has been significant in many countries, including China, leading to higher risks of related chronic diseases [7]. - A new study published in the journal "Cell" has identified a group of previously unknown neurons in the mouse brain that regulate satiety by releasing cholecystokinin (CCK), signaling the body to stop eating [7][8]. Group 2 - These newly discovered neurons are located in the brainstem, suggesting that similar mechanisms may exist in the human brain [8]. - Unlike traditional satiety neurons that only sense whether the gastrointestinal tract is filled, these neurons track food information throughout the digestive process and integrate various hormonal signals to determine when to stop eating [8][10]. - Researchers used optogenetics to control these neurons in mice, demonstrating that activating them led to slower eating and reduced food intake [10]. Group 3 - The study also found that GLP-1 receptor agonists, the active ingredient in popular weight loss drugs, can activate these neurons, while appetite-stimulating hormones decrease their activity [12]. - This research provides new insights into the mechanisms of satiety and could lead to the development of more effective methods for appetite control, potentially reducing the risk of obesity [12].