Small molecules for fat combustion: targeting thermosensory and satiety signals in the central nervous system.

Small molecules for fat combustion: targeting thermosensory and satiety signals in the central nervous system. Drug Discov Today. 2018 Sep 21;: Authors: Liu J, Lin L Abstract Brown adipose tissue (BAT) dissipates fatty acids as heat to maintain body temperature in cold environments. The existence of BAT and beige cells in human adults supplies a promising weight-reduction therapy. The central thermogenic regulation descends through an excitatory neural pathway from the hypothalamus, medullar and spine toward BAT. This sympathoexcitatory thermogenic circuit is controlled by GABAergic (γ-aminobutyric acid) signaling from the thermoregulatory center in the preoptic area and the satiety center in the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus. This review summarizes recent research progress in thermogenic regulators targeting thermosensory and satiety signals in the central nervous system, and speculates on their potential as antiobesity agents. PMID: 30248402 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: Drug Discovery Today - Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Tags: Drug Discov Today Source Type: research