A Natural Blood Hormone May be Key to Appetite Suppression and Obesity Control, Scientists Say
Manhattan’s scientists have observed that the signaling molecule, oleoyl estrone (OE) may play a significant role in weight reduction.
(PRWEB) September 13, 2004 -- How the body naturally regulates appetite
through the presence of a blood hormone may offer the prospect of a safer and
more effective method of weight control, according to Dr. Leonard Firestone of
Manhattan Pharmaceuticals.
Manhattan’s scientists have observed that the
levels of the signaling molecule, oleoyl estrone (OE), which appears to play a
key role in communicating levels of stored body fat to the brain, are
significantly lower in obese patients than predicted on the basis of body
weight. This leads to the possibility that raising OE levels in the obese will
suppress appetite and cause weight loss.
“Our animal studies have now
yielded strong support for our prediction” observes Dr. Firestone, “with body
weight reductions of 20%, and daily caloric intake reductions of 40% or more
during OE treatment. This is why we’re so optimistic about OE’s potential to
help obese patients in the very near future.”
With 30.6 percent of the
adult U.S. population suffering from obesity, Dr. Firestone believes these
initial findings are important, because there are still only two pharmaceuticals
that are FDA-approved for the long-term treatment of obesity, and neither offer
particularly dramatic relief.
“Another major problem facing obese
patients right now, is that treatment with the current generation of obesity
drugs can be worse than the disease,“ Dr. Firestone says. Obesity doctors have
noted relatively high incidences of unpleasant side effects from these drugs,
such as incontinence, diarrhea, bloating and vitamin deficiency, and even
certain dangerous side effects including heart rhythm disturbances and
hypertension.
“Many of my medical colleagues feel that this is simply
too high a price to pay for a 300 pound patient to lose 20 or so pounds,” Dr.
Firestone says “So, to meet the needs of these patients, the next generation
therapeutic must be far more effective, and have far fewer side effects.”
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Source : http://www.prweb.com/releases/2004/9/prweb156736.htm