Researchers Develop a Promising Weight Loss Compound
A new class of compounds may offer the benefits of gastric bypass surgery without any surgery or side effects associated with traditional weight loss and diabetes drugs. Researchers at Syracuse University have developed a molecule called GEP44, which activates the same receptors in the brain as the weight loss drugs Ozempic and Wegovy, making it a possible game-changer in the world of obesity treatment.
GEP44 Effective Without Nausea and Vomiting
In lab animals, GEP44 reduces weight dramatically and lowers blood glucose levels without causing any side effects such as nausea and vomiting, commonly experienced with current weight loss and diabetes drugs. In fact, the compound not only reduces eating but also increases calorie burn.
Targeting Multiple Gut Hormone Receptors
Various researchers have designed other treatments that interact with more than one type of gut hormone receptor to replicate the long-term benefits of surgery. The peptide in GEP44 activates two receptors for PYY and the receptor for GLP1, signaling to obese rats to eat up to 80% less than they would typically eat and lose an average of 12% of their weight.
Promising Results in Rats and Shrews
Tests conducted on rats and shrews revealed no sign of nausea or vomiting, while GEP44 could trace weight loss not only to decreased eating but also to higher energy expenditure. The researchers have filed for patents on their compounds and plan to test their peptides in primates.
Effective Weight Loss Treatment With Limited Drawbacks
GEP44 could form the basis of a highly effective weight loss treatment with limited drawbacks in the future. Obesity and diabetes are major problems in the United States, affecting up to 70% of Americans being overweight and 40% being obese. Deaths related to excess weight, such as diabetes, Alzheimer’s, and heart disease have been rising over the years.
Comparison with Other GLP1 Drugs
GLP1 drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro have been popular for weight loss, but they come with intense side effects like nausea, vomiting, and fatigue. Novo Nordisk found success with its type 2 diabetes drug semaglutide marketed as Ozempic and later Wegovy that mimics the effects of hormones reducing appetite and food cravings, leading to significant weight loss.
The Future of GEP44
The peptide in GEP44 triggers the brain’s GLP1 receptor and Peptide YY receptors to tell the body to stop eating when stimulated while also reducing blood sugar and helping damaged pancreatic cells produce insulin. The research team plans to test GEP44 in primates to determine its viability for weight loss in humans.
Title: Promising Drug Developed to Prevent Weight Gain Even on a High Sugar Diet
University of Texas Develops New Compound for Weight Loss
The researchers from the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio have developed a drug that prevents weight gain and liver problems in mice fed with a high-sugar Western-style diet since birth. The drug called CPACC limits magnesium transfer into the power plants of cells, which helps restrict weight gain.
CPACC Reduces Weight Gain
Mice using the CPACC drug, even for a short time, started losing weight and became slim. The drug was developed after discovering that too much magnesium slows energy production in mitochondria; cells’ power plants. The CPACC drug restricts magnesium transfer into these power plants, which helps reduce weight gain.
Long-Term Diets Increase Risk
Long-term dietary stress increases the risk of cardiometabolic diseases such as heart attacks and strokes, which can further lead to liver cancer. The CPACC drug shows great promise in restricting weight gain even when an individual eats a high-sugar Western-style diet.
Importance of New Drug
The CPACC drug is important for individuals who are suffering from obesity or at risk of getting diseases related to obesity. The researchers hope that this drug will be able to help people start losing weight regardless of their diet or exercise habits. Further study will be conducted to ensure the effectiveness and safeness of the drug before human trials start.
In conclusion, these newly developed compounds present a promising route for those struggling with obesity or diabetes who may not be able to undergo surgery or take traditional medications due to side effects. With continued research and development, these drugs could make significant strides in combating these conditions and promoting overall health and wellness.
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