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Energy balance for most healthy people is accomplished by the work of hormones in the bloodstream. For example, we know that the hormone leptin controls appetite, and that insulin controls the action of storage of sugar as fat. Bombesin is a relatively recently found hormone, and its action appears to be to control appetite. All hormones act through special areas in the cells that are called receptors, and it is this area that seems to attract research interest. From recent research regarding the action of bombesin, it appears to be possible to both control appetite, and increase metabolism.

Guam and co-researchers, writing in the journal Cell Metabolism, wanted to learn more about the action of a specific bombesin receptor, Bombesin Receptor Subtype-3, or BRS-3. As part of their experiment, the authors applied two experimental compounds to lab mice to study the effect that these chemicals would have on the animals’ food intake and metabolism. The theory to test was that controlling the action of this receptor would yield interesting results that would translate to obesity control in humans.

By applying the first compound, one that intercepted the action of bombesin at BRS-3, the animals started to eat a lot more food. Clearly, inhibiting the action of this receptor appears to be detrimental in weight loss and obesity control.

The second chemical’s action was extremely interesting. By enhancing the action of the BRS-3, the researchers shown that it is possible to decrease appetite and increase metabolism, or attacking obesity from two ends.

The authors report that they did not observe any detrimental effects within the scope of this experiment, but that more research needs to be done to validate the safety of this approach. They also reported that the effect of bombesin at this receptor was complimentary to other metabolic control pathways. This certainly suggests that a compound medicine may potentially be developed, one that controls weight on multiple levels.

To be sure, a lot more study needs to be done to prove out that any developed medication is both safe and effective when it is ultimately sold. But, one can’t help but be excited that a pill to control obesity may soon become available.

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