Australian researchers have discovered a way to treat obesity by manipulating fat cells to increase metabolism, using common drugs prescribed to treat blood pressure.
Australian scientists have claimed a breakthrough in the treatment of obesity -- using common drugs to treat high blood pressure. Photo: Cornfed. Credit: mahalie/flickr
The accidental discovery came when scientists from five Melbourne institutions found that common blood pressure drugs that inhibit the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), could also regulate body fat in mice.
Dr Michael Mathai, of the Howard Florey Institute in Melbourne and his team found that mice who had their ACE enzyme blocked were 20 percent less in weight and had 50-60% less body fat. The mice increased their metabolism as they became older, indicating they continued to increase metabolism as they age. Current drugs available for treating blood pressure in humans regulate the ACE enzyme.
Dr Mathai, who led the research, said his team’s discovery confirmed the critical role that the renin-angiotensin system plays in fat metabolism.
“This is a significant discovery that shows by interfering with the renin-angiotensin system we can induce selective loss of fat mass,” he said in a statement.
“ACE inhibitor and Angiotensin Receptor Blocker (ARB) drugs are already widely available to treat hypertension and have been found to have this same effect on fat and glucose metabolism, but many people using these drugs may not have noticed any significant weight loss because their lean body mass could have increased."
“It is possible that the ACE inhibitor and ARB drugs could be adapted to become specific weight loss drugs – it may be a question of the correct dosage," Dr Mathai said, however stressed the use of the drug would need to be accompanied by exercise and eating healthy foods.
“... such a weight loss drug would need to be accompanied by a healthy diet and lifestyle to achieve and maintain weight loss, and to reduce the likelihood of developing diabetes,” he said.
The study was conducted by researchers from the Howard Florey Institute, Victoria University, La Trobe University, Deakin University, Baker Institute and the University of Melbourne.
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