Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
PYY 3-36
Introduction
In biology, the hormone called PYY 3-36 plays a critical role in decreasing appetites, making us aware of fullness of our stomach. In an experiment, rats were injected with PYY and ate 30% less than usual, resulting in weight loss. As a result of this finding, researchers decided that further research could lead to the development of an effective treatment for obesity in humans.
The hormone that has the opposite role is known as ghrelin – instead of inhibiting the desire for food, it increases appetite.