Over the past year, consumption semaglutideknown commercially as Ozempic. This is a drug for diabetics, among the side effects of which are loss of appetiteFor this reason, many people began to take it without any need, just to lose weight. The consequences have been disastrous, with major shortages in many countries where it can be bought over the counter, leaving those who really need it without reserves. But that is not the only problem. Ozempic has many other side effects that make it unwise to take the risk unless absolutely necessary. Many scientists are I’m looking for an alternative. A drug that is really aimed at reducing appetite. And why not? To prevent some diseases.
And that’s exactly what a group of scientists from Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Czech Academy of SciencesThey have developed a drug that suppresses appetite, like Ozempic, and also helps prevent Alzheimer’s disease.
It’s important to note that they’ve only tested it in cell cultures and laboratory animalsHowever, given the success of this first phase, they hope to begin human clinical trials soon. If it worked for them, we could be looking at a very interesting alternative to Ozempic.
Ozempic vs CART
Semaglutide (Ozempic) is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist. This means that it mimics the GLP-1 hormone that is normally released in the digestive system as a result of food consumption. In response, the pancreas stimulates the production of more insulin, which helps to grab the glucose from these products from the blood and deliver it to the cells. But there is more. Ozempic also acts on brain systems responsible for satiety. The food intake has already been sufficient, so in order to prevent more glucose from entering the body, it loads the brain so that it is very simple: roughtake away our hunger.
Instead, what the Czech scientists studied was something different. They focused on CART, a peptide that is naturally produced in the brain and has anorectic effectThat is, when it is produced, it reduces appetite.
Although it occurs naturally, sometimes the dose is not enough. So these scientists wanted to learn how to synthesize it in the lab so that control it exogenously. Unfortunately, if it comes from outside, it can’t reach the brain. This problem had to be solved, so they began a series of modifications, attaching the peptide to various lipid molecules that would facilitate its passage through blood-brain barrierThis barrier is responsible for protecting the brain from external aggression, but sometimes delivering certain drugs can become a headache.
With this modification, scientists were able to allow CART to reach the brain and cause an anorexigenic effect. It does not have the same mechanism of action as Ozempic, but the result will be the same: help reduce appetite.
How does Alzheimer’s disease protect?
The mechanisms of CART are not yet entirely clear. In fact, it is not even known what exactly receptors that act. However, the authors of this study found something interesting. And the thing is that when administered exogenously, the levels pathogenic tau protein. This protein is commonly found in our nervous system. In fact, when certain conformations of it accumulate, they form aggregates closely associated with symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.
Thus, it was observed that this modified CART could achieve two goals: reduce appetite and protect the brain from Alzheimer’s disease.
Mice given the peptide lost weight as if they had been given Ozempic. They also had reduced levels of the pathogenic tau protein in their brains. Those in the control group lost less weight and did not experience this. additional protection against Alzheimer’s disease.
These scientists also believe that both CART and other anorexigenic peptides They may help repair damaged brain tissue. That would be a much more interesting panacea than Ozempic. But will it cause the same worrying side effects as semaglutide? That remains to be seen, so let’s take this news with a grain of salt.
Source: Hiper Textual
