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Peptide YY

Meaning

Peptide YY (PYY) is a 36-amino acid peptide hormone, secreted primarily by the L cells of the distal small intestine and colon in direct response to the ingestion of nutrients, particularly fat. PYY functions as a potent anorexigenic signal, meaning it promotes a profound feeling of satiety and significantly reduces subsequent food intake. As a key component of the gut-brain axis, PYY plays a critical, short-term role in the clinical management of energy balance and is a therapeutic target in metabolic dysregulation.