Artificial intelligence has helped Stanford University scientists discover a natural peptide called BRP that reduces appetite and weight as effectively as popular drugs, but without their side effects, reports infohub.kz.
Researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine identified BRP, a natural peptide that suppresses appetite similarly to semaglutide. The discovery was made using a specialized algorithm called Peptide Predictor. The AI analyzed 20,000 human genes and helped isolate promising molecules from hundreds of prohormones.
Unlike traditional weight-loss medications that target receptors in the gut and pancreas, BRP acts specifically on the hypothalamus. In experiments on mice and minipigs, a single injection of the peptide reduced food intake by 50% within an hour. A two-week course in obese mice led to fat loss and improved insulin sensitivity.
Notably, the animals experienced no nausea, digestive issues, or muscle loss. Assistant Professor Katrin Svensson and researcher Laetitia Coassolo are already planning clinical trials. The project also includes specialists from the University of California, Berkeley, the University of Minnesota, and the University of British Columbia.