Blocking Brain Enzyme for Weight Loss

Ivanhoe Newswire

(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Scientists say they have found a simple way to promote weight loss, reduce appetite and improve blood sugar levels. Its a brain enzyme called CaMKK2 in mice that, when blocked, has all of these health benefits.

We believe we have identified an important drug development target that could potentially turn into a metabolic triple play: appetite control, weight loss and blood sugar management, Tony Mean, Ph.D., a Nanaline H. Duke Professor and Chairman of Pharmacology and Cancer Biology, was quoted as saying.

For years, researchers have been analyzing and testing enzymes in search of a target for appetite suppression. This could be essential for helping people lose weight and reduce risks of serious weight related diseases such as diabetes and heart disease.

Scientist realized that CaMKK2 activates another enzyme called AMPD that stimulates animals to eat and gain weight. They blocked CaMKK2 in mice and then measured food intake. The mice ate significantly less food than the untreated mice and lost body weight. Next, they studied a group of mice that normally do not make CaMKK2 and found it did not change their eating behavior. They then tested both normal mice and mice missing CaMKK2 to see how they would respond to low-fat and high-fat diets.

Researchers say after 30 weeks, the normal mice on the high fat diet became diabetic, while the normal mice on the low fat diet stayed healthy. Interestingly, the mice missing CaMKK2 stayed healthy regardless of which diet they were on. Study authors say the findings are exciting because blocking CaMKK2 in the brain seems to protect the body from weight gain and negative health outcomes.

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SOURCE: Cell Metabolism, 2008;7:400-409

Last updated 5/8/2008.

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