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BIOMEDICINE: A Sympathetic Defense Against Obesity
Abdul G. Dulloo
One of the most puzzling questions in obesity research is why some humans rapidly gain weight when they overeat, whereas others do not. In a compelling Perspective, Dulloo explains exciting new findings (Bachman et al.) that reveal the molecular mechanisms underlying thermogenesis, a process in which extra food is converted into heat instead of fat. As Dulloo discloses, diet-induced thermogenesis is under the control of signaling through b-adrenergic receptors of the sympathetic nervous system. This work opens the door to developing anti-obesity therapeutics that activate diet-induced thermogenesis.
The author is in the Department of Medicine, Division of Physiology, University of Fribourg, CH-1700 Switzerland. E-mail: abdul.dulloo{at}unifr.ch
The editors suggest the following Related Resources on Science sites:
In Science Magazine
REPORTS
Eric S. Bachman, Harveen Dhillon, Chen-Yu Zhang, Saverio Cinti, Antonio C. Bianco, Brian K. Kobilka, and Bradford B. Lowell (2 August 2002) Science297 (5582), 843.
[DOI: 10.1126/science.1073160] |Abstract »|Full Text »|PDF »|Supporting Online Material »
Vagal tone dominates autonomic control of mouse heart rate at thermoneutrality.
S. J. Swoap, C. Li, J. Wess, A. D. Parsons, T. D. Williams, and J. M. Overton (2008)
Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol
294, H1581-H1588
|Abstract »|Full Text »|PDF »
Obesity and thermogenesis related to the consumption of caffeine, ephedrine, capsaicin, and green tea.
K. Diepvens, K. R. Westerterp, and M. S. Westerterp-Plantenga (2007)
Am J Physiol Regulatory Integrative Comp Physiol
292, R77-R85
|Abstract »|Full Text »|PDF »
Water-Induced Thermogenesis Reconsidered: The Effects of Osmolality and Water Temperature on Energy Expenditure after Drinking.
C. M. Brown, A. G. Dulloo, and J.-P. Montani (2006)
J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab.
91, 3598-3602
|Abstract »|Full Text »|PDF »
Chronic Sympathetic Activation: Consequence and Cause of Age-Associated Obesity?.
