A new discovery reveals that astrocytes, star-shaped cells in the brain, play a key role in regulating fat metabolism and obesity. These cells act on a cluster of neurons, known as the GABRA5 cluster, effectively acting as a “switch” for weight regulation.

The MAO-B enzyme in these astrocytes was identified as a target for obesity treatment, influencing GABA secretion and thus weight regulation.

KDS2010, a selective and reversible MAO-B inhibitor, successfully led to weight loss in obese mice without impacting their food intake, even while consuming a high-fat diet, and is now in Phase 1 clinical trials.

  • ParsnipWitch@feddit.de
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    1 year ago

    The digestive process is much more complicated than basic physics. There are all kinds of processes happening, some of them not yet understood, that regulate your appetite, weight gain, energy, etc. It’s different in each individual and for each individual it can change through various external factors.