《细胞》重磅揭晓！生酮神效再获实锤！华裔团队意外锁定神秘代谢通路，特殊物质可抑制食欲、对抗肥胖困扰

Core Insights - The article discusses the recent breakthrough research on the ketogenic diet and its metabolic effects, particularly focusing on the discovery of a new metabolic pathway involving the ketone body β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) and its amino acid derivatives that can effectively suppress food intake and control body weight [5][11]. Group 1: Research Findings - A joint study from Baylor College of Medicine and Stanford University identified a new metabolic pathway involving BHB that produces BHB-amino acids, which can significantly inhibit food intake [5][11]. - The research was inspired by a previous finding that a compound formed from lactate and phenylalanine (Lac-Phe) can suppress appetite and aid weight loss in mice [8][11]. - The study confirmed that the enzyme carnosine dipeptidase 2 (CNDP2) can catalyze the reaction between BHB and amino acids, leading to the synthesis of BHB-amino acids in various tissues [11][12]. Group 2: Experimental Results - Experiments showed that BHB-amino acid levels increased with higher ketone body levels, with the ketogenic diet group exhibiting the most significant changes [12]. - In a diet-induced obesity (DIO) mouse model, the injection of BHB-phenylalanine (50 mg/kg) significantly reduced food intake without affecting water consumption, exercise capacity, or other metabolic parameters [13][14]. - The mechanism of BHB-phenylalanine's appetite suppression was found to be independent of known appetite control pathways, indicating a novel regulatory pathway for food intake [14]. Group 3: Implications for Human Health - The study also demonstrated that the metabolic pathway involving BHB-amino acids is likely conserved in humans, as evidenced by increased plasma BHB-amino acid levels following a ketogenic diet in human volunteers [14]. - The researchers suggest that while the study focused on energy metabolism, BHB-amino acids may have implications for neurodegenerative diseases, inflammatory responses, cancer progression, and age-related conditions, warranting further investigation [14].