New study shows molecule Lac-Phe, produced during exercise, can switch off hunger instantly by targeting brain’s appetite centres.
HOUSTON: Scientists from Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children’s Hospital, and Stanford University have discovered that a molecule produced during exercise, known as Lac-Phe, plays a key role in reducing hunger and aiding weight loss. The findings were recently published in Nature Metabolism.
Lac-Phe, a compound created in the body after intense physical activity, was shown to directly impact appetite-regulating neurons in the brain. In mice, researchers found it suppresses the activity of AgRP neurons — which typically stimulate hunger — thereby enabling PVH neurons, which reduce hunger, to become more active.
Dr. Yang He, lead author and assistant professor at Baylor, explained, “Exercise helps the body burn energy, but our study shows it also triggers internal changes that reduce appetite. Lac-Phe appears to be one of these important mechanisms.”
Previous studies by the same team confirmed that giving Lac-Phe to obese mice significantly decreased their food intake and led to weight loss — without altering other behaviours or causing side effects. The new research explains the underlying mechanism: Lac-Phe activates KATP channels on AgRP neurons, making them less active, which in turn allows the appetite-suppressing PVH neurons to dominate.
When these KATP channels were blocked, Lac-Phe lost its ability to reduce hunger, confirming their crucial role in this appetite-suppressing process.
While the research is currently limited to mice, the scientists are optimistic about its potential for human health. Future studies will explore Lac-Phe’s effects across various metabolic states, how it travels to the brain, and its viability as a treatment for obesity-related conditions.
This discovery offers new hope in the ongoing search for safe and effective weight management therapies, especially those that mimic the natural benefits of exercise.
