Substrate Cycling as a Possible Mechanism of Indirect Thermogenesis

Substrate Cycling as a Possible Mechanism of Indirect Thermogenesis 

Since there are more potential sites for substrate cycling in the metabolism of carbohydrates than there are in fat metabolism, fenfluramine would be expected to produce a greater thermogenic response following a carbohydrate meal than following an equicaloric meal of fat. This prediction was confirmed by recent experiments in our laboratory (Levitsky and Schuster, in press). 

Nevertheless, further research into the mechanisms by which anorectic drugs increase energy expenditure may lead to the discovery of a safe and effective treatment for obesity, as well as yield information concerning such fundamental processes as the nature of the thermogenic effect of food and its possible role in body weight regulation. 

Abdallah, A. H., 1968, Anorectic activity of ephedrine isomers. Life Set 1 665, 

Acheson, K. J., Zahorska-Markiewicz, B., Pittet, P., Anantharaman, K., and Jequier, E., 1980, Caffeine and coffee Their influence on metabolic rate and substrate utilization in normal weight and obese individuals. Am, J, Clin, Nutr, 33(5) 989. 

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