IL-6 Regulates Body Weight In Male Rodents

[nomoreketones]

Scientists discover brain mechanism that regulates body weight

“Our study shows that IL-6, produced in the parabrachial region of the brain, is particularly important for body weight regulation,” Karolina Skibicka, an associate professor and head of the research group at Sahlgrenska Academy, told Forskning.se.

She said that both reduced food intake and increased energy consumption are simultaneously affected by IL-6. The neurotransmitter stimulates the body to produce heat and burn fat. The level of the neurotransmitter in the parabrachial area therefore affects the entire metabolic balance.

One thing that baffles the researchers is that they only saw the link between IL-6 in the brain and obesity in male rodents. The females had normal levels of IL-6, and the study group is now investigating why females appear to have different protection mechanisms against the risk of obesity compared to males.