Novel mechanisms in food intake suppression via GABA-mediated peripheral signals

• Project/Area Number: 24K08746
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 38050:Food sciences-related
• Research Institution: Hiroshima University
• Principal Investigator: KUMRUNGSEE THANUTCHAPORN 広島大学, 統合生命科学研究科(生), 准教授 (90781849)
• Project Period (FY): 2024-04-01 – 2027-03-31
• Project Status: Granted (Fiscal Year 2024)
• Budget Amount: ¥4,550,000 (Direct Cost: ¥3,500,000、Indirect Cost: ¥1,050,000); Fiscal Year 2026: ¥650,000 (Direct Cost: ¥500,000、Indirect Cost: ¥150,000); Fiscal Year 2025: ¥390,000 (Direct Cost: ¥300,000、Indirect Cost: ¥90,000); Fiscal Year 2024: ¥3,510,000 (Direct Cost: ¥2,700,000、Indirect Cost: ¥810,000)
• Keywords: GABA / GABA-T / appetite / food intake / obesity

Outline of Research at the Start

GABA aminotransferase (GABA-T) is a GABA-degrading enzyme highly expressing in the brain and the liver. Previously, we found that a combination of dietary GABA and GABA-T inhibitor (vigabatrin (Vig)) significantly increased blood GABA levels and suppressed food intake. We hypothesized that elevated blood GABA is possibly a key factor mediating food intake suppression. Since Vig can get into the brain and regulates appetite there, in the present study, we aimed to determine if the inhibition of GABA-T only in the liver can exhibit the food-intake suppressive effect.