As we have previously written, weight loss is a function of altering the energy balance – the reduction of consumed calories, ideally coupled with an increase of expended energy through exercise. However, many hope for easier ways to lose weight and shed pounds. Wouldn’t it be nice if you could simply pop a fat pill that would simultaneously help you eat less and burn more fat? Well… you will have to wait a little longer for such a wonder drug. However, recently published research from Merck Research Laboratories seems to point to a promising pharmacological treatment of obesity. By suppressing the action of key metabolic hormones, it is theoretically possible to reprogram our biological computer called the brain. This article highlights the appetite control research done on the Bombesin Receptor Subtype – 3 (BSR-3). It appears that enhancing the action of Bombesin may yield promising results. It appears to help in both the suppression of appetite, and an increase in metabolism.
Role of Bombesin in Weight Control
We previously published a background article on the role of the brain in weight loss, and in it, we said that there are other moving parts of the jigsaw. Since energy balance (food eaten versus energy burned off) is a bio/chemically controlled system, it stands to reason that by controlling the correct hormones, it is theoretically possible to control weight. That of course is one of the holy grails of the pharmaceutical industry – an effective fat pill without side effects.
Recent research by Guan et al., titled “Regulation of Energy Homeostasis by Bombesin Receptor Subtype-3: Selective Receptor Agonists for the Treatment of Obesity,” published in the journal Cellular Metabolism in February 2010, it appears that such medicines may be closer than we think.
A brief refresher of our article on the role of the brain in weight loss: there are areas of the brain that are responsible for controlling metabolism and food intake. Our article concentrated on the role of two key hormones, Insulin and Leptin. Add Bombesin to that stew. Wikipedia describes Bombesin as “the second major source of negative feedback signals that stop eating behavior.” In plain terms, it tells you to stop eating. Guan et al. write that through their experimental administration of an agonist and antagonist ligands, they were able to increase metabolic rate AND simultaneously reduced food intake. All without observed side effects. Neat?
OK, now what is an agonist, an antagonist, and a ligand? An agonist is a drug that gets a body cell (a brain cell, in this case) to do something. An antagonist is the reverse of that – when it there, it prevents some action. A ligand is a chemical substance, something that can stick to a cell in the body. So, there you go – this concoction is a chemical ability to do something. Think of a piece of bubble gum in the power socket of your iPod. If a piece of bubble gum is stuck in the power socket of your iPod, you will have a really difficult time charging the batteries, or transferring music into your device. Just like that bubble gum, such a drug either enhances or interferes with the chemical messages that hormones are trying to send to the brain. In this particular case, the hormone is Bombesin, which tells you to stop eating.
Treatment of Obesity with Bombesin Agonists
The purpose of this specific experiment was to explore the function of a specific Bombesin receptor (BSR-3) in weight loss and metabolism. By altering its normal activity in an experimental mouse, the researchers demonstrated the following:
- When the antagonist drug was applied to the mouse, it caused the mouse to eat more and gain weight. Over the scope of two weeks in the experiment, 12% more food was eaten, which naturally resulted in weight gain. This is logical – the drug interfered with the message to stop eating.
- When the agonist drug was applied, it reduced the amount of food eaten. (Again, an agonist enhances the message). The interesting thing is the following finding – it also increased metabolism by between 20-48% (depending on which mouse groups it was applied to). No adverse reactions were observed in the experimental animals.
- The action of this experimental compound was in many ways complimentary to the actions of other metabolic agents. This means that a combined medicine could potentially be developed, one that would work on several levels. If this theory holds true, this would raise the efficacy of the medicine.
Conclusions on Obesity Treatments through Controlling Bombesin
Conclusions that the authors drew from the research – the action of their compound highlighted the action and role of a particular receptor in the brain. Stimulating this receptor both reduced the consumption of food, and increased metabolism. The combined action resulted in weight loss.
However, a fat pill based on this discovery is likely to be a ways off. For now, the best options remain the old-fashioned ones – sensible diet, moderate exercise, and competent medical supervision.
Additional Resources
Resources on 20BMI.com
Chen, J., Low Carb Diets, Weight Loss, and Fat. (In two parts). 26 November, 2009. 20BMI.com.
Chen, J., How to Naturally Increase Metabolism for Faster Weight Loss. 19 November, 2009. 20BMI.com
Fundamentals of Weight Loss, Exercise, and Diet. 8 December, 2009. 20BMI.com
Nutrition for Weight Loss Category on 20BMI.com
Photograph Credit
Richfield, D., FlattenedRoundPills.jpg, 2/4/10 via WikiMedia Commons, GFDPL 1.2
Works Cited
Bombesin, from Wikipedia. 2/4/10.
Guan, X. M., Chen, H., et. al., Regulation of Energy Homeostasis by Bombesin Receptor Subtype-3: Selective Receptor Agonists for the Treatment of Obesity. Cell Metabolism, 11, 101-112, February 3, 2010.
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