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25/07/2005
Hormone injection promises to combat obesity
A natural hormone found in the gut may provide a means to help overweight people diet more efficiently by telling the brain that the stomach is full.
In a four-week study a team of scientists at Imperial College concluded that the hormone, oxyntomodulin, had helped people on the trial lose an average of 2.3kg (5lbs) a month compared to a control group who lost an average of around 0.5kg (1lb) when given a placebo.
The hormone tells the brain when the stomach has received enough food.
However, despite the success of the trial, researchers have said that more studies would be needed before the drug could be routinely used for treating obesity.
The research team led by Professor Steve Bloom have hailed the trial's success as a breakthrough in the fight against obesity. Professor Bloom said that the naturally occurring hormone had virtually no side effects and was ideal in that it could be self-administered.
The trial involved 26 people, half of whom were given the hormone via an injection 30-minutes prior to eating, while the other half received a saline injection.
Professor Bloom, who has set up a company to commercialise the discovery, said that obesity was "fast becoming one of society's biggest problems."
Obesity is linked to heart disease, late onset diabetes and cancer.
(SP/KMcA)
In a four-week study a team of scientists at Imperial College concluded that the hormone, oxyntomodulin, had helped people on the trial lose an average of 2.3kg (5lbs) a month compared to a control group who lost an average of around 0.5kg (1lb) when given a placebo.
The hormone tells the brain when the stomach has received enough food.
However, despite the success of the trial, researchers have said that more studies would be needed before the drug could be routinely used for treating obesity.
The research team led by Professor Steve Bloom have hailed the trial's success as a breakthrough in the fight against obesity. Professor Bloom said that the naturally occurring hormone had virtually no side effects and was ideal in that it could be self-administered.
The trial involved 26 people, half of whom were given the hormone via an injection 30-minutes prior to eating, while the other half received a saline injection.
Professor Bloom, who has set up a company to commercialise the discovery, said that obesity was "fast becoming one of society's biggest problems."
Obesity is linked to heart disease, late onset diabetes and cancer.
(SP/KMcA)
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