Positive effect on inflammation responses
In addition, the researchers observed something else of interest. If white fat cells are further "stuffed"/accumulating lipids, they are increasing in size and can synthesize and release hormones which in turn cause inflammation thus increasing the persons risk for chronic diseases. Such inflammatory responses may then lead to, e.g., cardio-vascular diseases resulting in heart attacks and strokes, as well as cancer and diabetes. "It seems that sildenafil prevented the fat cells in these mice from getting onto that slippery slope," reports Prof. Pfeifer. Overall, the development of white cells seems to be healthier.
More than half a billion overweight people worldwide
Globally, over half a billion people are overweight. Present study has resulted in interesting starting points for further research on this mechanism. "Sildenafil is not only able to minimize erectile problems, but it can also reduce the risks of gaining excessive weight," says Prof. Pfeifer. The researchers may have found a mechanism that allows converting the undesirable white fat cells into the "good" beige (brown-like) fat cells that "melt" away excess pounds. In addition, it might be possible to decrease complications related with obesity. "But this will need to be proven in additional studies," adds Dr. Kilic.
Caution against premature application
Despite promising data, researchers caution the public against the fallacy of thinking that popping some sildenafil will work to quickly lose the extra pounds accumulated over the holidays. "We are currently in the basic research stage, and all the studies have been exclusively performed on mice," stresses Prof. Pfeifer. It will be a long way until potentially suitable drugs for decre
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| Contact: Prof. Dr. Alexander Pfeifer alexander.pfeifer@uni-bonn.de 49-228-287-51300 University of Bonn Source:Eurekalert |