Python Molecule pTOS Could Lead to New Obesity Drugs with Fewer Side-Effects
Scientists have identified a molecule in Burmese python blood that could pave the way for a new class of obesity drugs, offering potential benefits with fewer side-effects compared to current treatments like Wegovy. The molecule, called pTOS, is produced by the snake's gut bacteria and is also present at low levels in human urine, suggesting it may be safe for human use.
Metabolic Marvel of Pythons
Burmese pythons, which can grow over 5 metres long and weigh nearly 100kg, exhibit extreme metabolic adaptations. After consuming prey up to 100% of their body weight, their heart expands by 25% and metabolism speeds up 4,000-fold to aid digestion, allowing them to fast for 12 to 18 months without ill effects. Researchers from Stanford University and the University of Colorado Boulder studied these snakes to uncover the metabolites involved in this process.
Discovery of pTOS and Its Effects
In a study published in Nature Metabolism, scientists examined blood from young Burmese pythons before and after feeding, identifying over 200 molecules that spiked post-meal. One molecule, pTOS, increased more than 1,000-fold. When administered to obese mice, pTOS suppressed appetite, leading to a 9% weight loss over 28 days without affecting energy expenditure or organ size.
Dr Jonathan Long, an associate professor of pathology at Stanford University and co-author, explained, "We wondered whether this metabolite affected any of the post-feeding physiological changes in the snake." The findings revealed that pTOS acts on the hypothalamus, a brain region regulating appetite, unlike GLP-1 drugs that slow stomach-emptying and cause side-effects like nausea and constipation.
Potential for Human Applications
Prof Leslie Leinwand, a biologist at the University of Colorado Boulder and co-author, noted, "We've basically discovered an appetite suppressant that works in mice without some of the side-effects that GLP-1 drugs have." Further research is needed to apply these findings clinically, but since pTOS occurs naturally in humans, it is expected to be safe. Leinwand added, "I have a healthy respect for snakes. We can learn so much from these animals that have evolved to do extreme things."
This research highlights how studying extreme animal adaptations can lead to breakthroughs in human health, offering hope for more effective obesity treatments with reduced adverse effects.
