Fat burning - Using pills and patches against excess fat

New approaches to reducing fat without sporting activities

Every day stick a plaster and swallow a pill and excess fat disappears by itself? What sounds like a dream to many overweight people could soon become a reality, as scientists have recently developed two approaches that could reduce body fat without physical activity. On the one hand, scientists at the University of Bonn showed in mice that excess pounds can simply be melted off by converting unwanted white fat cells into energy-consuming brown slimming cells. Second, scientists at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore have developed a patch that can break down fat in the abdominal area.

The vision is promising. If bacon rolls can simply be melted away by new approaches, this could also prevent the consequences of obesity, such as joint problems, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. According to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), decreasing energy intake and energy expenditure are the ultimate pharmacological goals. According to IDF, more than 371 million people worldwide have diabetes, and this number will rise to more than 550 million by 2030. 90% of people with diabetes around the world have type 2 diabetes. The IDF estimates that obesity accounts for 80 to 85 percent of the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Plasters and Pills - The new approaches to research on fat burning suggest new ways to fight obesity. (Image: BillionPhotos.com/fotolia.com)

The pill against fat

"In studies on mice, we have found various approaches to convert annoying white fat cells into desirable brown adipocytes," says Prof. Dr. med. Alexander Pfeifer from the Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology of the University of Bonn in a press release. The brown cells lead to the decrease of white fat by converting it into heat energy. In mice, it was observed that the increasing number of brown cells results in weight reduction. Professor Pfeifer believes it is possible to use an active substance to combat obesity, which turns white adipose cells into brown ones.

The inflammatory reactions must be blocked

"Apparently, it could be a possible starting point in the fight against obesity, in addition to the administration of cGMP-stimulating agents at the same time to inhibit the inflammatory reactions," explains Prof. Pfeifer. In a recent study, the researchers showed why the inflammatory reactions that often occur in overweight blocks such a transformation of fat cells. However, there may be a starting point to circumvent this inhibition. The results have now been published in the journal "Cell Reports".

The anti-fat patch

Researchers at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore have succeeded in developing a revolutionary new approach to reducing fat in the abdominal area. The experts developed a micro-needle patch containing medication. These are able to convert unhealthy white fat in the human body into energy-burning brown fat. With this innovative approach, scientists reduced weight gain in mice by more than 30 percent over four weeks. "Our goal is to develop a painless patch that anyone can easily use that is unobtrusive yet affordable," said Prof. Chen, a biotechnology expert involved in obesity. More on this topic can be found in the article New medicine plaster reduces belly fat by more than 30 percent.

So far still future music

At the moment, research in this area is still in its infancy. But the researchers are optimistic. Recent studies show that it is possible to develop a patch and pill that help in the breakdown of white fat cells. Maybe in 10 years' time, we'll actually put a bandage on our stomach instead of doing sit-ups or throw in a pill instead of running around the block. Whether sports, nutrition, pill or patch - a good remedy for the world's increasing obesity would help many people. (Fp)