While sugar cravings are common, the physiological mechanisms that trigger our “sweet tooth” are not well defined.
A University of Iowa-led study in mice shows that a hormone produced by the liver, fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21), suppresses the consumption of simple sugars. The researchers report that FGF21 is produced in the liver in response to high carbohydrate levels. FGF21 then enters the bloodstream, where it sends a signal to the brain to suppress the preference for sweets.
“This is the first liver-derived hormone we know that regulates sugar intake specifically,” says Matthew Potthoff, assistant professor of pharmacology in the UI Carver College of Medicine. Potthoff is co-senior author on the paper, published online in the journal Cell Metabolism, with Matthew Gillum, professor at the University of Copenhagen (Denmark).
Previous research explains how certain hormones affect appetite; however, these hormones do not regulate any specific macronutrient (carbohydrate, protein, fat) and are produced by organs other than the liver.
“We’ve known for a while that FGF21 can enhance insulin sensitivity,” says Lucas BonDurant, a doctoral student in the Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Molecular and Cellular Biology and co-first author in the study. “Now, there’s this dimension where FGF21 can help people who might not be able to sense when they’ve had enough sugar, which may contribute to diabetes.”
This work is based on human genome-wide studies where researchers found associations between certain DNA mutations and people’s intake of specific macronutrients. Two of these mutations were located near the FGF21 gene, prompting the UI-led team to identify the role of this hormone in regulating macronutrient preference.
BonDurant and colleagues used genetically-engineered mouse models and pharmacological approaches to examine the role of FGF21 in regulating sugar cravings. In normal mice, BonDurant injected FGF21 and gave the mice a choice between a normal diet and a sugar-enriched diet. Researchers observed that the mice didn’t completely stop eating sugar, but they ate seven times less than normal.
The research team also studied genetically-modified mice that either didn’t produce FGF21 at all or produced a lot of FGF21 (over 500 times more than normal mice). The genetically-modified mice had a choice between the same two diets as the normal mice. Researchers observed that the mice that didn’t produce FGF21 at all ate more sugar, whereas the mice that produced a lot of FGF21 ate less sugar.
Based on these results, the team concluded that FGF21 decreases appetite and intake of sugar. However, FGF21 does not reduce intake of all sugars (sucrose, fructose, and glucose) equally. FGF21 also doesn’t impact the intake of complex carbohydrates.
While BonDurant, a Dean’s Graduate Research Fellow and a UI Sloan Scholar, found that FGF21 sends signals to the brain, additional work is necessary to identify the precise neural pathways that regulate FGF21’s ability to manage macronutrient preference. UI researchers are focused on the hypothalamus -a section of the brain responsible for regulating feeding behavior and energy homeostasis. Good graf
“In addition to identifying these neural pathways, we would like to see if additional hormones exist to regulate appetite for specific macronutrients like fat and protein, comparable to the effects of FGF21 on carbohydrate intake,” Potthoff says. “If so, how do those signals intertwine to regulate the neural sensing of different macronutrients?”
The UI team collaborated with researchers from the University of Copenhagen (Denmark) and the University of Colorado School of Medicine.
The study was funded in part by grants from the American Diabetes Association, the National Institutes of Health, the Edward Mallinckrodt Jr. Foundation, the University of Iowa Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center, and the Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Basic Metabolic Research.
Anemia is a lower than normal number of red blood cells (erythrocytes) in the blood, usually measured by a decrease in the amount of Hemoglobin. Hemoglobin is the red pigment in red blood cells that transports oxygen.
There are many types and potential causes of anemia. For information about a specific type of anemia, see one of the following articles:
The cause varies with the type of anemia. Potential causes include blood loss, nutritional deficits, many diseases, medication reactions, and various problems with the bone marrow. Iron deficiency anemia is most common in women who have heavy Menstrual Periods.
The doctor will perform a physical examination. He or she will look for the presence of a pale complexion and rapid heart rate.
Treatment should be directed at the cause of the anemia. In some cases, blood transfusions and the medication erythropoeitin will correct anemia.
Severe anemia can cause low oxygen levels in vital organs such as the heart and can lead to Heart attack .
Angioplasty is a medical procedure in which a balloon is used to open narrowed or blocked blood vessels of the heart (coronary arteries). It is not considered to be a type of surgery. See also cardiac catheterization and angiogram.
Fat and cholesterol can accumulate on the inside of arteries and form deposits called plaque. This disease process is called atherosclerosis. The arteries that supply blood to the heart itself (called the coronary arteries) can be narrowed or blocked by this accumulation.
If the blockage is not too severe, a balloon catheter may be used to open the heart artery as an alternative to open heart surgery. The catheter is a small, hollow, flexible tube that has a balloon near the end of it.
The procedure starts with the patient lying on a padded table. Local pain medicine is given, and the catheters are then inserted in an artery (usually near the groin). The patient is awake for the procedure, but pain medicine can be given as needed.
The heart and heart arteries are then visualized by using X-rays and dye, and blockages in the heart vessels are identified. A balloon catheter is then inserted in or near the blockage and inflated, thus widening or opening the blocked vessel and restoring adequate blood flow to the heart muscle.
Occassionally, blood thinning medicines are also given to prevent formation of a blood clot. In almost all cases, a device called a stent is also placed at the site of narrowing or blockage in order to keep the artery open. A common type of stent is made of self-expanding, stainless steel mesh.
Complete obstruction of blood flow to an area of the heart (a small risk, less than 1%; a heart surgery team is on standby)
This procedure greatly improves blood flow through the coronary arteries and to the heart tissue in about 90% of patients and may eliminate the need for coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG).
The result is relief from chest pain, and improved exercise capacity. In 2 out of 3 cases, the procedure is considered successful with complete elimination of the narrowing or blockage.
This procedure treats the condition, but does not cure the cause, and recurrent narrowing can be expected in up to a quarter of cases over a 6-month period. However, this recurrent narrowing may or may not require a repeat procedure.
Patients should diet, exercise, abstain from smoking, and reduce stress in order to lower the chances of recurrence. The physician may prescribe a medication, such as a statin drug, to help lower the patient’s cholesterol.
If the arteries are not sufficiently widened by angioplasty or the blockages are too severe to be treated by angioplasty, heart surgery (CABG surgery) may be recommended.
The average hospital stay is less than 2 days, and often, an overnight hospital stay is not required at all. Patients are generally able to walk within 6 hours after the procedure. Complete recovery takes a week or less.
The Houston Chapter of Health Care for All Texas meets from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM every second Thursday of the month at St. Paul's United Methodist Church, 5501 S. Main St., Houston, TX 77004 on the second floor of the Jones Building.
The charge of this organization is to fortify local health systems and give measures for improvement of the health of the people in the America. It has collaboration with Health Ministries and International Agencies; along with international, non-government, community, security and university collaborations. PAHO promotes health of people and gives access to health system strengthening. It mainly emphasizes on the chronic diseases, like TB, HIV, Dengue, Cholera, Malaria, Heart diseases, Diabetes and Cancer.
Hearthcast #361: Conceding In Hearthstone - Rewt and Freckleface chat about when it's ok to Concede in Hearthstone, as well as if it matters how we get things in WoW
This couple's wedding day was full of amazing details. A heart warming gift from the Bride to her new Husband, a bakery bar, fun vintage car, and lots more. Coming soon, but be sure to follow along on FACEBOOK for all the sneak peeks that don't make it to the HMP blog!