Acts to control appetite by being standardized on Proteinase Inhibitor II (PI2), which inhibits the action of Trypsin and Chymotrypsin, pancreatic enzymes that normally degrade the factors that stimulate the secretion of cholecystokinin (CCK), a peptide hormone released by the enteroendocrine cells of the small intestine in response to the presence of nutrients. PI2 thus allows CCK-releasing factors to remain active for longer, promoting greater release of the hormone.
The increase in CCK delays gastric emptying, prolonging digestion and maintaining the feeling of satiety for longer, as well as helping to control food intake. Activation of the gut-brain axis, including nerve signals via the vagus nerve, sends rapid information to the brain about the presence of food, reducing hunger and providing a sense of satiety.
