When scientists turn on POMC brain cells with a chemical switch, mice get warmer — but if you block TRPM2 first, they don’t warm up at all.
Scientific Claim
Activation of POMC neurons via Gq-DREADD chemogenetics increases BAT and core body temperature in mice, and this effect is abolished by pretreatment with the TRPM2 antagonist clotrimazole.
Original Statement
“Chemogenetic stimulation of POMC neurons induced BAT thermogenesis, and this thermogenic effect was inhibited by a TRPM2 blocker. ... this increase in BAT and core body temperature by chemogenetic POMC neuronal activation was entirely diminished by pretreatment of the TRPM2 blocker CTM.”
Evidence Quality Assessment
Claim Status
appropriately stated
Study Design Support
Design supports claim
Appropriate Language Strength
definitive
Can make definitive causal claims
Assessment Explanation
The study directly manipulated POMC neurons and measured temperature outcomes with and without TRPM2 inhibition. The claim accurately reports observed effects without inferring human relevance or mechanism.
Evidence from Studies
Supporting (1)
The potential role of hypothalamic POMCTRPM2 in interscapular BAT thermogenesis
Scientists turned on a specific group of brain cells that help burn fat for heat, and the mice got warmer—but when they blocked a special protein (TRPM2) in those cells, the warming effect stopped.