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Fat absorption controlled by a brain–gut circuit

The absorption of fat across the gut wall had been thought to depend on passive diffusion. However, a brain–gut circuit has been found that controls the size of surface area for absorption. A compound that inactivates this circuit causes weight loss in mice, suggesting that the circuit could be a target for anti-obesity drugs.

This is a summary of: Lyu, Q. et al. A brain-to-gut signal controls intestinal fat absorption. Nature https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-024-07929-5 (2024).

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doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-024-02932-2

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