Pharmacological Satiety Agents are therapeutic compounds, typically pharmaceutical drugs, administered to enhance the physiological sensation of fullness and reduce the drive to consume food. These agents are used clinically to support weight loss and manage chronic metabolic conditions by intervening directly in the central or peripheral appetite regulation pathways. Their action is distinct from merely reducing nutrient absorption, as they actively modulate the neuroendocrine signals that govern hunger and meal termination. These agents represent a powerful tool in addressing the biological components of obesity.
Origin
This term is rooted in clinical pharmacology and the development of anti-obesity medications. Pharmacological refers to the use of synthetic or bio-engineered compounds, while Satiety Agents designates their functional purpose of promoting the feeling of fullness.
Mechanism
These agents operate primarily by mimicking or potentiating the effects of endogenous anorexigenic hormones or neurotransmitters. For example, some agents act as agonists at the Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor, enhancing the gut-brain signal that promotes satiety and slows gastric emptying. Others may work centrally by increasing the activity of neurotransmitters like serotonin or norepinephrine, thereby activating the hypothalamic Pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) pathway. The net effect is a central shift in the energy balance set-point, leading to a sustained reduction in caloric intake.
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