Intranasal Glucagon and Energy Balance

People who are overweight often find it difficult to lose weight through diet and medications because weight loss reduces the amount of energy spent by the body and increases appetite. Glucagon, when given as an injection, reduces appetite and increases the amount of energy spent by the body, even when resting. Based on studies in animals, it does so by working on the brain. However, when gives as an injection it raises blood sugar levels by acting on the liver and therefore it is not used as a weight loss drug. It has previously been shown that hormones such as glucagon, when given as a spray through the nose, can reach the brain with no major effect on the liver. Importantly it does not increase blood sugar. In this study the research team is investigating whether nasal glucagon reduces appetite and increases energy spent by the body compared to a placebo spray. If it does, it may be a potential treatment for losing weight.