People taking diabetes drug exenatide, sold under brand names Byetta and Bydureon, might be familiar with Gila monster, the largest lizards in North America. Exenatide is a synthetic version of a hormone called exendin-4 that is present in the venom of the Gila monster. Now, one more entirely new and unexpected effect of the lizard substance has been discovered by researchers at the Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg.
Read on to know what the new finding is...
In a study, the researchers found that exendin-4 effectively reduced the cravings for food and chocolates in rats. By affecting the reward and motivation regions of the brain, eating was made less rewarding by exendin-4.
According to 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."
The new finding about exendin-4 spells ray of hope for new ways to treat diseases related to eating disorders like compulsive overeating, say the researchers.
But it's not just the eating disorders that the researchers are interested in testing the potential of exendin-4. Since the same brain regions are involved in food cravings and alcohol cravings, the researchers want to test the efficacy of exendin-4 in reducing alcohol craving too.
The study was published in the April 4 issue of the Journal of Neuroscience.
Exenatide, which is a synthetic version of exendin-4, is used to treat type-2 diabetes. The drug works by mimicking the actions of a hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1, or GLP-1 that regulates food intake, energy metabolism and cardiovascular functions. In type 2 diabetics, there is less GLP-1 secretion.
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