| abstract |
The present invention relates to a method of inhibiting hunger by reducing ghrelin plasma levels comprising administering a compound to a human or animal organism, the compound being selected from: (i) (R) -3- hydroxybutyrate; (ii) an ester of (R) -3-hydroxybutyrate; and (iii) an oligomer of (R) -3-hydroxybutyrate units; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof. The present invention also relates to a method of administering such a compound at an effective dose in reducing hunger so that a cosmetically beneficial loss or maintenance of body weight occurs, where in the method, plasma levels of ghrelin are reduced. The above-mentioned compound can also be used in a method of treating the human or animal body, the compound being administered and the hunger being inhibited by decreasing plasma levels of ghrelin. The compound is particularly useful for subjects with conditions associated with hyperphagia, such as overweight patients, obese patients, severely obese patients or diabetic patients. |