TeachableMedicalNews article 08182022
Teachable moment in classrooms:
- endocrine system chapter – hormones deliver instructions through receptors
- nervous system – brain chapter – location and function of hypothalamus in the diencephalon
- digestive system chapter – cells of the small intestine make hormones that control appetite
The news item: Recently the following report appeared:
https://www.yahoo.com/now/ozempic-touted-tiktok-weight-loss-185703991.html
the article stated that Ozempic is a prescription medication for type II diabetes, that Ozempic makes the pancreas to make more insulin, and that the weight loss is caused through the suppression of the appetite.
So, Why Do I Care?? One reason for caring is that it is unusual to see a side effect of a prescription drug that is a desirable side effect. The other reason to be interested is that we see an example of the sensitivity of the brain to hormones made in the small intestine. It becomes even more interesting, because it looks that the fight against the obesity epidemic just gained a new tool. About 50% of the adults and 25% of children in the USA are obese. Lowering the prevalence of obesity by weight loss could lower the occurrence of heart attacks, strokes, and several cancers.
Plain English, Please!!! First, let’s talk about what is Ozempic. The protein hormone GLP-1 (glucagon like peptide) is the active ingredient in Ozempic. GLP is a natural product of the cells in the human