Mice Study Shows How 'Fat Gene' Works (lance of energy-in and energy-out in the...)

Mice Study Shows How 'Fat Gene' Works

Date:2/22/2009

lance of energy-in and energy-out in the body, were lower in the mice carrying the gene variant in question, the team found. This was expected, as leptin is produced by fat tissue.

Levels of adiponectin, another hormone involved in metabolic processes, were increased in the mice. Lower levels of adiponectin are associated with obesity.

The scientists were able to rule out changes to the hypothalamus, a part of the brain involved in "energy homeostasis" or balance, and they also ruled out alterations in glucose metabolism as reasons for the increased leanness.

Adrenaline levels, however, were found to be higher in the lean mice. "This is the interesting part," He said. "Why did adrenaline levels increase? There are several unanswered questions."

Once questions like those are answered, the findings may pave the way for more effective treatments to combat obesity and its myriad complications.

Of course, there are well-known ways of losing weight: lifestyle changes. These are "long-term proven strategies but people won't do them," Weiss said. "People are not comfortable following long-term diet and exercise plans." And with obesity rates continuing to soar in the United States, "we need medical approaches," he said.

More information

There's more on obesity at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

SOURCES: Stuart Weiss, M.D., clinical assistant professor, medicine, New York University School of Medicine, New York City; Weimin He, Ph.D., assistant professor, Institute of Biosciences and Technology, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Houston; Feb. 22, 2009, Nature

0

GOOD

Page: 1 2
Related medicine news :

1. Women Less Apt to Get Clot-Buster, Study Finds
2. Female genital mutilation among Israels Negev Bedouins has virtually disappeared -- BGU study
3. CRESTOR Cuts Risk of Stroke by Nearly Half in JUPITER Study
4. New study finds blacks still lag in obtaining total knee replacements for arthritis
5. Study shows ultrasound and tPA effective for stroke
6. New Study Suggests Beta-Carotene Supplementation May Help Preserve Cognition in Men
7. JAMA article contends earlier study overstated validity of findings on bisphenol A
8. New iPod listening study shows surprising behavior of teens
9. Study calls for increased research in flu transmission to prepare for pandemic flu outbreak
10. Statins Pay Off on a Health-Policy Level, UCSF Study Finds
11. Major study on DiagnoCures GCC biomarker published in Jama

Post Your Comments:

Mice Study Shows How 'Fat Gene' Works(lance of energy-in and energy-out in the...),Health