A new study indicates that a hormone naturally found in human intestines, can be used to fight obesity in humans. The hormone, oxyntomodulin, helps curb people's appetites.
A study showed that those using oxyntomodulin lost an average of five pounds over a four week period as compared to a loss on only one pound over four weeks for those on placebos.
Additional research is needed to determine if there are any harmful side effects to the additional oxyntomodulin over a long period of time and to see how effective the hormone is over a longer time period.
Oxyntomodulin is released by the body as food is ingested. It gives the brain the message to stop eating at the end of a meal.
The study examined 26 people. 14 of them injected themselves with oxyntomodulin a half hour before all of their meals while 12 used a saline solution. Neither the patients nor the doctors were aware of which people were receiving the hormone and who was receiving saline.
Those using oxyntomodulin had a lower appetite than those using the saline but they also noticed that their enjoyment of food was not reduced by the injections.
Patients receiving the hormone injections also showed lower levels of leptin in their body, a protein which helps regulate the body's energy expenditure.
Professor Steve Bloom, the lead researcher of the study, told the BBC, 'We saw a dramatic rate of weight loss.'
Bloom also believes that the body will not develop a tolerance for the medication since it is a naturally occurring substance.
'I would anticipate it being completely safe and also, since you have your own oxyntomodulin, it isn't likely to ever stop working,' Bloom added.
The results of this preliminary study hold out hope that this treatment could be used to fight obesity. Additional research is expected in this area in the near future.
