"Burmese pythons can grow to more than 5 metres (16ft) in length and close to 100kg (220lbs) in weight. In the wild, the snakes consume prey that can approach 100% of their body weight. In the hours after a python eats, its heart expands by 25% and its metabolism speeds up 4,000-fold to help it digest the meal."
"The scientists identified more than 200 molecules that significantly increased in the pythons' blood within hours after eating, and one that increased more than 1,000-fold. This molecule, called pTOS, is produced by the snake's gut bacteria and is also known to be present at low levels in human urine."
"Obviously, we are not snakes, said Dr Jonathan Long, an associate professor of pathology at Stanford University and co-author of the research. But maybe by studying these animals, we can identify molecules or metabolic pathways that also affect human metabolism."
Burmese pythons consume prey weighing up to 100% of their body weight and then fast for 12-18 months. After feeding, their heart expands 25% and metabolism increases 4,000-fold. Researchers studying this metabolic adaptation identified over 200 molecules that spike in python blood after eating, with one molecule called pTOS increasing more than 1,000-fold. This metabolite is produced by gut bacteria and exists at low levels in human urine. When administered to obese mice, pTOS suppressed appetite and caused rapid weight loss, suggesting potential applications for human obesity treatment through metabolic pathways identified in snakes.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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