Drugs From Lizard Saliva Reduces The Cravings For Food

[Unbreakable]

A drug made from the saliva of the Gila monster lizard is effective in reducing the craving for food. Researchers at the Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, have tested the drug on rats, who after treatment ceased their cravings for both food and chocolate.

In a study with rats published in the Journal of Neuroscience, Assistant Professor Karolina Skibicka and her colleagues show that exendin-4 effectively reduces the cravings for food.

An increasing number of patients suffering from type 2 diabetes are offered a pharmaceutical preparation called Exenatide, which helps them to control their blood sugar. The drug is a synthetic version of a natural substance called exendin-4, which is obtained from a rather unusual source – the saliva of the Gila monster lizard (Heloderma suspectum), North America's largest lizard.

Unexpected effect

Researchers at the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, have now found an entirely new and unexpected effect of the lizard substance.

Reduces the cravings for food

In a study with rats published in the Journal of Neuroscience, Assistant Professor Karolina Skibicka and her colleagues show that exendin-4 effectively reduces the cravings for food.

"This is both unknown and quite unexpected effect," comments an enthusiastic Karolina Skibicka:

" Our decision to eat is linked to the same mechanisms in the brain which control addictive behaviours. We have shown that exendin-4 affects the reward and motivation regions of the brain"

Significant findings

The implications of the findings are significant" states Suzanne Dickson, Professor of Physiology at the Sahlgrenska Academy: "Most dieting fails because we are obsessed with the desire to eat, especially tempting foods like sweets. As exendin-4 suppresses the cravings for food, it can help obese people to take control of their weight," suggests Professor Dickson.



Source: Another amazing thing you learn every day
http://nanopatentsandinnovations.blogspot.com/2012/05/drugs-from-lizard-saliva-reduces.html

 

[Chesh]

I wonder if this could lead to new developments in treating other types of addiction?

 

[slimvictor]

^ I thought of the same thing.
And whether the scientists will make loads of money from this, as Americans and others try to lose weight without exercise, or willpower.

 

[Thorns Have Roses]

Make out with poisonous lizard, lose weight (don't get bit though ). Awesome!

 

[Captain.Heroin]

There are already other drugs that effectively suppress the appetite.

 

[amanitadine]

^ well yeah, but that doesn't mean game over and don't bother looking for more, we've got this. Or maybe I am misunderstanding you. . .

^ I thought of the same thing.
And whether the scientists will make loads of money from this, as Americans and others try to lose weight without exercise, or willpower.

Amen. They were talking about obesity on NPR the other day, how to treat it, and I was shocked (shouldn't have been) that no one mentioned the root of the problem: Americans have no self control and don't wanna put any effort into anything. The vast vast majority of obesity and weight problems are due strictly to this, not genetics, biology, etc. Don't eat so fucking much. And get off your ass. Harsh? Not really. And hard to argue with.

 

[Thorns Have Roses]

^It's not PC to get at the root of the problem. It might hurt someone's self-esteem. 8)