A study published in the current issue of Science" suggests a mechanism by which amino acids regulate food intake. Amino acid leucine was shown to inhibit food intake through activation of mTOR (Mammalian Target Of Rapamycin), a serine kinase in the insulin signaling pathway. Leptin may also use this mechanism in the regulation of food intake. This study is highlighted in Today's "The Scientist" at following link: Attached (1) is the PDF file of this Science paper.

In addition, a study in JCI provides more support about MCP-1 (Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein 1) in macrophage infiltration in adipose tissue in obesity. Fat-specific over-expression of MCP-1 led to an increase in macrophage infiltration in fat, systemic insulin resistance and TG accumulation in liver. Global knockout of MCP-1 reduced the infiltration in mice. The conclusion is consistent with the phenotype of MCP-1 receptor (CCR2) KO mice published last year in JCI. Attached (2) is the PDF file of this paper.

By Jianping at PBRC
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Jianping Ye, MD
Associate Professor
Pennington Biomedical Research Center
Louisiana State University System
6400 Perkins Road
Baton Rouge, LA 70808
Phone: (225) 763-3163
Fax: (225) 763-2525
E-mail: yej@pbrc.edu