The Claim
Leucine enkephalin levels increase during calorie restriction in female mice housed at 22°C compared to those housed at 30°C, and direct hypothalamic injection of leucine enkephalin alters core body temperature, indicating its role as an endogenous regulator of temperature during caloric restriction.
What the research says
Supports is higher
Support is ahead, but a single strong opposing study can change this.
These are independent scores, not a percentage. Higher-grade studies count more, so a single strong opposing study can outweigh several weaker ones.
In female mice, a natural brain peptide called leucine enkephalin rises when food intake is reduced at cooler temperatures (22°C) but not at warmer temperatures (30°C). Injecting this peptide directly into the hypothalamus changes body temperature, showing it directly influences temperature regulation during calorie restriction.
See the scientific wording
Leucine enkephalin, an opioid peptide produced in the hypothalamus, increases during calorie restriction in female mice housed at 22°C but not at 30°C, and direct injection of leucine enkephalin into the hypothalamus alters core body temperature, suggesting it is an endogenous regulator of temperature during caloric restriction.
When a female mouse eats less and is in a cool environment, her brain makes more of a natural chemical called leucine enkephalin. This chemical binds to specific receptors in the brain that control body temperature, causing blood vessels to open up and release heat, which lowers her core temperature. If the mouse is in a warm environment, this chemical does not increase, and her temperature stays normal.
What the research says
1 studyStudy: Metabolic adaptation to calorie restriction
When female mice eat less in a cool room, their brains make more of a natural chemical called leucine enkephalin, and when scientists inject that chemical into their brains, their body temperature changes — proving it helps control temperature during fasting.
Score breakdown, mechanism chain, raw evidence, ideal studies needed & 1 supporting studies
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