The researchers block stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1 (SCD1) – a protein that regulates the synthesis of fats in the blood – by using specific small molecules to interfere with synthesis of SCD1 in liver cells and in mice. Inhibiting SCD1 decreased body fat, and prevented obesity and development of metabolic syndrome. Blocking SCD1 also increased expression of genes involved in energy expenditure.
The results aid in our understanding of the role of SCD1 in metabolism and validate SCD1 as a potential target for pharmacological intervention for obesity and related metabolic disorders.
TITLE: Prevention of obesity in mice by antisense oligonucleotide inhibitors of stearoyl-CoA desaturase-1
AUTHOR CONTACT: Bei Zhang
Merck Research Laboratories, Rahway, NJ USA
Phone: (732) 594-1926; Fax: (732) 594-3750; E-mail: bei_zhang@merck.com
View the PDF of this article at: https://www.the-jci.org/press/23962.pdf
From 5:00PM USA EST Thursday March 10, 2005 a PDF of this article will be available at: http://www.jci.org/papbyrecent.shtml
Journal of Clinical Investigation