TOKYO: A Japanese research team has discovered proteins variants that increase during exercise and play a key role in burning fat. This breakthrough could potentially lead to the development of a drug that helps people lose weight without the need for dieting or intense exercise.
The research, published in the European scientific journal Molecular Metabolism, highlights how different versions of the PGC-1a protein are produced in skeletal muscles during physical activity. The study found that the greater the increase in these variants, the more energy is burned by the body. Essentially, these proteins help the body become more efficient at using energy, which in turn aids in fat burning.
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According to the team, which includes researchers from Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, the increase in PGC-1a expression, particularly alternative variants, is crucial for boosting energy expenditure. The team also found that mice lacking these specific protein variants struggled to burn energy during exercise, eventually leading to obesity and hyperinsulinemia (excess insulin in the blood).
In humans, the study confirmed that these alternative PGC-1a variants also increase during exercise. However, the production of these variants varies from person to person, which may explain why some people lose weight more easily than others, even when doing the same workout routine.
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While appetite-suppressing drugs are commonly used to treat obesity, this discovery could pave the way for new treatments that increase these protein variants, helping individuals burn fat more effectively, even without exercising. This could be a game-changer in developing weight loss solutions that work for a broader range of people.
