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Scientists discover way to regulate the body's energy expenditure
June 02, 2004Scientists have discovered a protein that controls the amount of fat stored in the body, offering new clues for obesity treatments.
The research, published in this week's Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, shows how the protein regulates the activity of a key gene responsible for maintaining the body's temperature, called uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1).
The new protein, called RIP140, blocks the expression of UCP1, and causes the body to use up more energy and store less fat.
The team of scientists from Imperial College London, Kings College London, University of Cambridge, and Hammersmith Hospital, UK, conducted studies in transgenic mice born without RIP140, and in normal mice with RIP140. They found that mice without RIP140 were lean and showed resistance to high fat diet induced obesity.
On average, mice without RIP140 were 20 per cent lighter compared with normal mice and accumulated between 50 and 70 per cent less fat when compared with mice with RIP140, even though their food intake was similar.
Professor Malcolm Parker from Imperial College London, and based at Hammersmith Hospital, and one of the study's authors comments: "This discovery could provide a novel approach to developing new obesity treatments. By reducing the levels of RIP140, it is possible to increase the activity of the UCP1 gene. UCP1 plays a key role in regulating energy balance in the body, and through this we can reduce body weight by increasing energy expenditure.
"Although these are very promising observations we do need to be careful in interpreting the results. The study was carried out in mice, which were born without RIP140, and it will be important to determine the consequences of blocking RIP140 action in adult animals."
This work was supported by the Wellcome Trust and the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council. Professor Parker and his team have recently signed a deal with CytRx, a US based biopharmaceutical company, to commercialise the results of this research.
Imperial College, University of London
The team of scientists from Imperial College London, Kings College London, University of Cambridge, and Hammersmith Hospital, UK, conducted studies in transgenic mice born without RIP140, and in normal mice with RIP140. They found that mice without RIP140 were lean and showed resistance to high fat diet induced obesity.
On average, mice without RIP140 were 20 per cent lighter compared with normal mice and accumulated between 50 and 70 per cent less fat when compared with mice with RIP140, even though their food intake was similar.
Professor Malcolm Parker from Imperial College London, and based at Hammersmith Hospital, and one of the study's authors comments: "This discovery could provide a novel approach to developing new obesity treatments. By reducing the levels of RIP140, it is possible to increase the activity of the UCP1 gene. UCP1 plays a key role in regulating energy balance in the body, and through this we can reduce body weight by increasing energy expenditure.
"Although these are very promising observations we do need to be careful in interpreting the results. The study was carried out in mice, which were born without RIP140, and it will be important to determine the consequences of blocking RIP140 action in adult animals."
This work was supported by the Wellcome Trust and the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council. Professor Parker and his team have recently signed a deal with CytRx, a US based biopharmaceutical company, to commercialise the results of this research.
Imperial College, University of London
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Women who store fat on their waist in middle age are more than twice as likely to develop dementia when they get older, reveals a new study from the Sahlgrenska Academy.
Other Illnesses, Body Weight Do Not Explain Racial Disparities in Colon Cancer Survival, UAB Researchers Say
A new study by University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) researchers shows that body-mass index (BMI) and co-existing medical conditions (co-morbidity) do not explain the decreased survival observed among African-Americans compared to Caucasians who also have colon cancer.
Diabetes surgery summit consensus lays foundation for new field of medicine
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Daycare may double TV time for young children, study finds
In a new study, the amount of television viewed by many young children in child care settings doubles the previous estimates of early childhood screen time, with those in home-based settings watching significantly more on average than those in center-based daycares.
Patient's weight not linked to success of fibroid surgery
Obese patients are no more likely to have post-operative complications than those of average weight when undergoing robotic surgery to remove uterine fibroids, according to a study at Henry Ford Hospital.
Scripps research scientists find new link between insulin and core body temperature
A team led by scientists at The Scripps Research Institute have discovered a direct link between insulin-a hormone long associated with metabolism and metabolic disorders such as diabetes-and core body temperature.
Night Beat, Overtime and a Disrupted Sleep Pattern Can Harm Officers' Health
A police officer who works the night shift, typically from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m., already is at a disadvantage when it comes to getting a good "night's" sleep.
Fat collections linked to decreased heart function
Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) have shown that fat collection in different body locations, such as around the heart and the aorta and within the liver, are associated with certain decreased heart functions.
Teens' mental health affects how long they stay in school, new study shows
Queen's University researcher Steven Lehrer has won a prestigious international award in recognition of his contributions to health economics.
Playing sport up to the end of pregnancy is healthy for the baby and the mother
Contrary to more conservative customs, exercising up to the end of pregnancy has no harmful effect on the weight or size of the foetus.
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