Pyruvate and satiety: can we fool the brain?

In the last few years, our understanding of the physiological systems that regulate food intake and body weight has increased enormously. A growing number of factors and signaling molecules involved in food intake and its hormonal regulation indicate that this behavior is coordinated by highly complex processes (1–4). Orexigenic and satiety systems, although finely balanced, seem more effective in protecting against starvation than overfeeding, thus predisposing us to obesity (5). As the obesity epidemic spreads, concerns are growing about its significant health and economic consequences (6), emphasizing the need for a more complete understanding.