Unlocking the Powerhouses of Cells: A Potential Breakthrough in Obesity and Diabetes Treatment

Monday - May 6 2024, 09:26 UTC - 9 months ago

A groundbreaking study from Karolinska Institute suggests that targeting the mitochondria, the powerhouses of the cell, could potentially reverse obesity and its associated conditions in mice. These drugs, previously studied for their anti-cancer effects, resulted in drastic weight loss, reduced fat accumulation, and restored glucose tolerance. Further research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms behind these effects and their potential as a treatment for humans.

In a groundbreaking study published in Nature Metabolism, researchers from Karolinska Institute have uncovered a potential new method for treating obesity and associated conditions such as fatty liver and type 2 diabetes. This new approach targets mitochondria, the powerhouses of the cell, and could potentially be a game-changer in the fight against obesity and its related health consequences.

Obesity has reached epidemic proportions globally, with an estimated 2.8 million people dying each year due to being overweight or obese. It is a major risk factor for a multitude of chronic diseases, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and certain types of cancer. Current treatments for obesity, such as diet and exercise regimens, have proven to be largely ineffective in combatting this growing health crisis.

The researchers at Karolinska Institutet, led by Professor Nils-Göran Larsson, focused on the role of mitochondria in obesity and metabolism. Mitochondria are essential for human health, as they play a crucial role in processing the nutrients in our food and producing energy for various cellular processes. They are also key regulators of metabolism, which can be rerouted and reprogrammed to adapt to different needs or in response to disease.

The study was conducted on male obese mice who had been fed a high-fat diet. The team administered a class of drugs called inhibitors of mitochondrial transcription (IMTs), previously studied for their potential anti-cancer effects. However, the researchers made an unexpected discovery - after four weeks of treatment, the mice showed an increase in fat metabolism, resulting in significant weight loss, reduced fat accumulation in the liver, and restored glucose tolerance.

Professor Larsson comments, "It's exciting that we have identified a new potential strategy for treating common diseases like obesity and type 2 diabetes. We now aim to further investigate the mechanisms behind the drugs' effects and explore their potential as a treatment for humans." The team has initiated collaboration with a biotech company to further develop the IMTs as a potential treatment for obesity and associated conditions. However, it may be many years before the treatment is approved for use in humans.

In conclusion, this study opens up a new avenue for treating obesity and related conditions by targeting the mitochondria, which could potentially revolutionize the way we approach the treatment of obesity and its associated health consequences.

Reference: "Inhibition of mammalian mtDNA transcription acts paradoxically to reverse diet-induced hepatosteatosis and obesity" by Shan Jiang, Taolin Yuan, Florian A. Rosenberger, Arnaud Mourier, Nathalia R. V. Dragano, Laura S. Kremer, Diana Rubalcava-Gracia, Fynn M. Hansen, Melissa Borg, Mara Mennuni, Roberta Filograna, David Alsina, Jelena Misic, Camilla Koolmeister, Polyxeni Papadea, Martin Hrabe de Angelis, Lipeng Ren, Olov Andersson, Anke Unger, Tim Bergbrede, Raffaella Di Lucrezia, Rolf Wibom, Juleen R. Zierath, Anna Krook, Patrick Giavalisco, Matthias Mann and Nils-Göran Larsson, 30 April 2024, Nature Metabolism. DOI: 10.1038/s42255-024-01038-3 .

Funding for the study was provided by the Novo Nordisk Foundation, the Swedish Diabetes Foundation, the Swedish Research Council, the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation, ALF funding, the Swedish Cancer Society, and the Swedish Brain Foundation. Professor Larsson is also a scientific founder of Pretzel Therapeutics Inc. and holds stock in the company. Three of the co-authors are employees of Lead Discovery Center and are listed as co-inventors on a patent application concerning IMTs.