Thursday, March 12, 2015

Turning Bad Fat into Good Fat

Researchers from Houston Methodist Research Institute recently conducted a study to see if they could turn bad fat (white fat) into good fat (brown fat).  While white fat is a thermal insulator, provides cushion for our internal organs, produces a hormone that helps regulate appetite and hunger, and serves other important functions, having an overabundance of it causes obesity and metabolic disease.  Brown fat helps us burn calories.
            During the study, the scientists tested a drug known as GC-1 on hundreds of obese mice.  The scientists used both genetically obese mice and diet-induced obese mice.  Kevin Phillips, an author of the study, reported that after receiving doses of GC-1 once a day for two weeks, the genetically obese mice lost weight and more than 50% of their fat mass.  Phillips also reported each mouse’s insulin sensitivity improved six fold or more.  Those with diet-induced obesity reportedly showed similar improvements.
            When testing fat cells that were isolated from the mice, Phillips and the other researchers discovered that GC-1 induced adaptive thermogenesis in the cells.  The researchers also observed white fat browning in cells grown in culture and tissue samples taken from the mice.  The scientists concluded that GC-1 is a great fat-browning agent that may be able to treat obesity and metabolic disease.  The drug has not entered human trials for weight loss yet.  Scientists have, however, started clinical trials for lowering cholesterol.  The doses used in the cholesterol trials are reportedly much smaller than the doses that would be needed for weight loss.

            I found this research quite interesting.  I think if scientists can establish the appropriate dose of GC-1 needed for weight loss in humans, it would help dramatically reduce obesity.

No comments:

Post a Comment