Lab2Market - Investigating the potential appetite-supressing effects of a novel cytokinin.

一个复杂的神经系统已经进化到维持健康体重所需的能量平衡，但在食物充足的时候，它倾向于体重增加。大脑究竟是如何感知营养的还不清楚，但现在已经认识到，大脑可以通过特定的神经元感知脂肪和碳水化合物，并通过调节大脑中神经肽的表达来调节摄食。然而，究竟是什么导致体重增加，通常是由于摄入过多的脂肪和糖，这是与肥胖作斗争的一个巨大问题。有趣的是，我们发现了一种植物来源的分子，可以减少老鼠的食物摄入量，即使它们吃的是高脂肪的食物。食物摄入量的减少持续数周，对雄性和雌性小鼠都有效。因此，我的实验室目前正在努力剖析这一发现所涉及的大脑通路，以及植物分子如何改变小鼠的生理机能，希望能发现抑制食欲的明确目标。我们已经开发了许多独特的神经元细胞模型，在细胞水平上对这些通路进行了非常详细的研究，这在动物模型中是不可能的。我们的研究旨在探索如何预防体重增加，这是开发改进治疗方案的重要一步，并将为加拿大经济带来深远和长期的成本效益。肥胖是一个主要的全球健康问题，特别是在西方社会，据估计，30%的人口肥胖，65%的人口超重。将基础科学事业的长期影响可视化是一种前瞻性和大胆的想法，但我们也必须对生理学/健康的生物学基础有一个清晰的理解。从平庸到创新的能力已经被证明是贝尔沙姆博士项目的历史。她正在进行的研究项目不仅会产生知识创造，而且有可能推动神经内分泌研究，包括改变基于营养的神经疾病的预防性治疗方案。通过研究大脑控制食欲的新的基本机制，我们有望找到一种能够调节食欲和体重增加的补充剂。

A complex neuronal system has evolved to maintain energy balance required for a healthy body weight, but it is biased towards weight gain in times of plenty. Exactly how the brain senses nutrients is not yet understood, but it is now recognized that the brain can sense fat and carbohydrates through specific neurons and can regulate feeding by modulating the expression of neuropeptides in the brain. However, what exactly causes weight gain, often by excess levels of fat and sugar intake, is a tremendous problem in the fight against obesity. Interestingly, we have discovered a plant-derived molecule that decreases food intake in mice, even when they were consuming a high fat diet. The decrease in food intake was sustained over weeks and was effective in both male and female mice. Therefore major efforts are currently underway in my laboratory to dissect the brain pathways involved in this discovery and how the plant molecule acts to change the physiology in mice with the hope of discovering a clear target for appetite suppression. We have developed a number of unique neuronal cell models to study these pathways at the cellular level in tremendous detail not yet possible in the animal model. Our research to explore how we can prevent weight gain is an essential step for development of improved treatment options, and will lead to far-reaching and long-term cost benefits to the Canadian economy. Obesity is a major global health concern, especially in Western society where it is estimated that 30% of the population is obese and 65% is overweight. Visualizing the long-term impact of basic fundamental science ventures is forward-thinking and bold, but it is also imperative that we have a clear understanding of the biological foundations of physiology/health. The ability to move from bench to innovation has been the proven history of Dr. Belsham's program. Her ongoing research program will not only result in knowledge creation, but has the potential to advance neuroendocrine research, including transforming preventative treatment options for nutritionally-based neuronal disorders. By studying new fundamental mechanisms by which the brain controls appetite, there is hope for a supplement that can regulate appetite and weight gain.