“管住嘴”不仅靠忍！顶级期刊《细胞》发现中枢“止饿开关”，加速减重药物迭代

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: Obesity Statistics and Trends - The World Health Organization reports that the number of obese adults worldwide has surpassed 890 million, representing 13% of the global population. This trend has been particularly pronounced over the past 40 years, with significant increases in obesity rates in many countries, including China [7]. - The rise in obesity is associated with a higher risk of chronic diseases, particularly cardiovascular diseases, highlighting the urgent need for effective weight management strategies [7]. Group 2: Mechanisms of Appetite Regulation - Recent research from Columbia University has identified a new group of neurons in the brainstem that play a crucial role in regulating appetite by integrating signals related to food intake and satiety. These neurons secrete cholecystokinin (CCK) to signal the body to stop eating [8][10]. - Unlike traditional satiety neurons that only respond to stomach fullness, these newly discovered neurons can continuously track food information during digestion and integrate various hormonal signals to determine when to cease eating [8][10]. Group 3: Implications for Weight Loss Therapies - The study demonstrated that activating these neurons in mice led to a significant reduction in food intake, suggesting potential pathways for developing new appetite control therapies. The activation of these neurons resulted in slower eating and reduced food consumption [10][12]. - Additionally, GLP-1 receptor agonists, the active component in popular weight loss medications, were found to activate these neurons, indicating their role in appetite regulation. Conversely, appetite-stimulating hormones decreased their activity, further supporting their function in managing food intake [12].