What really ignites the breakdown of stored fat molecules are nerves embedded in the fat tissue, and a new study now reveals that these fat-burning neurons have previously unrecognized powers. That signal is the hormone leptin, which is released by the fat cells themselves. From here, they found, leptin’s growth-promoting message travels via the spinal cord back to the neurons in fat. “This work provides the first example of how leptin can regulate the presence of neurons in fat, both white and brown,” added Cohen. So we speculate that directly activating the nerves that innervate fat and restoring a normal ability to use stored fat could provide a possible new avenue for treating obesity,” Friedman said.

Source: Hindustan Times July 23, 2020 15:04 UTC