A team of researchers in the United States has discovered that a chemical compound called “Lac-Phe,” released by the body during physical exercise, helps suppress hunger by acting on specific neurons in the brain.
The scientists—from a consortium of leading American universities and research institutions, including the Stanford University School of Medicine and the Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute in Texas—believe this finding could pave the way for new treatments for obesity and weight management.
In a study focused on metabolic disorders, the researchers conducted a series of experiments on laboratory mice and found that physical exertion reduces appetite and contributes to weight loss.
Their analysis revealed that the Lac-Phe compound directly targets AgRP neurons located in the hypothalamus, the brain region responsible for stimulating hunger. By reducing the activity of these neurons, the compound allows another set of neurons, known as PVH neurons, to activate—producing a feeling of fullness and satiety.
Although the research was conducted on animals, the findings are considered highly promising for humans. The researchers emphasised the need for further studies to better understand the role of Lac-Phe in metabolic conditions such as obesity and underweight, as well as to uncover how the brain regulates hunger signals.
Such insights, they added, could eventually lead to innovative therapeutic approaches that harness the body’s natural responses to exercise in controlling appetite and improving metabolic health.
