Obesity physicians successfully test new drug against obesity

Active substance for the treatment of obesity and its secondary diseases
More and more people worldwide are suffering from overweight and obesity. In Germany alone, around seven million patients are treated for obesity every year. Austrian researchers have now developed a new anti-obesity drug.

Strong overweight endangers the health
According to the World Health Organization, around 1.9 billion people worldwide are overweight. Germany is getting fatter, too. This can be dangerous: In addition to the psychosocial effects of obesity (adiposity) lead especially their secondary diseases to a strong reduction in quality of life and duration. Around 75 percent of obese people worldwide suffer from non-alcoholic fatty liver, 400 million have type II diabetes. Austrian scientists have now developed a drug that can reduce obesity and prevent its complications.

Nearly two billion people worldwide are overweight. Researchers have now developed a drug for obesity and its sequelae. (Image: Kurhan / fotolia.com)

Reduce obesity and prevent diabetes
Researchers at the University of Graz and Graz University of Technology have developed a drug that can reduce obesity and prevent Type II diabetes and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

The research results of the working groups of Rudolf Zechner and Robert Zimmermann of the University of Graz and Rolf Breinbauer of the Graz University of Technology have now been published in the journal "Nature Communications".

As stated in a statement from the universities, elevated blood fatty acid levels are one of the main causes of metabolic-related diseases associated with obesity.

These lipids are released from the stored fat of the adipose tissue by the activity of an enzyme called adipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL).

Increased influx of fatty acids into tissues
"In overweight, fatty acids released excessively in the blood prevent the uptake of glucose into muscle and adipose tissue. The result is a so-called insulin resistance, a precursor of type II diabetes, "said Martina Schweiger, first and corresponding author of the publication.

In addition, there is an increased influx of fatty acids into tissues whose primary function is not the storage of lipids - such as in the liver. Due to the accumulation of triglycerides in this organ its function is disturbed, the consequence is a non-alcoholic fatty liver.

"Because ATGL determines the amount of fatty acids released into the blood, we intend to inhibit this enzyme to treat the metabolic consequences of obesity," said Schweiger.

Emergence of non-alcoholic fatty liver is completely prevented
The working groups of Zimmermann and Breinbauer succeeded in 2013 in synthesizing a molecule called Atglistatin, which prevents the activity of ATGL. In the new study, the researchers now characterized the effect of this inhibitor atglistatin in the animal model.

"By switching off the ATGL, we were able to completely prevent insulin resistance and the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver. In addition, there was a reduction in weight despite high-fat food, "explained Schweiger.

Crucial was the realization that ATGL may not be completely prevented. "Inhibiting ATGL completely also improves adiposity and insulin resistance, but it causes obesity in the heart, which can be fatal," says the researcher.

However, temporary inhibition has no harmful side effects. "By taking up the active ingredient atglistatin, the enzyme is shut off for six hours. After this time, the body degrades the inhibitor naturally. Afterwards ATGL resumes work, "Schweiger explained. (Ad)