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It looks like scientists have synthesized a magic weight-loss pill. This is great news for anyone who wants to lose weight without having to exercise. A recent research from the University of Southampton in Britain published this week reveals a way in which this could be a possibility.
A professor of chemical biology, Ali Tavassoli and an associate professor of integrative physiology, Felino Cagampang said that they were able to synthesize a compound that functions as an exercise mimic. This is possible because the new molecule tricks the cells in our bodies to believe they ran out of energy.
The new molecule called Compound 14 accomplished this by inducing a chain reaction of events within the cell. The new compound prevents the functions of a specific enzyme named ATIC. The enzyme plays a very important part in insulin signaling inside the body. This leads to the creation of something else called a ZMP within the cells. ZMP is known as the master regulator of our metabolism. And it is this ZMP that makes the cells believe they don’t have any more energy and activate the central energy sensor in the cells, known as AMPK.
The cells make up by boosting their metabolism and glucose update. These kinds of changes normally happen when a person is exercising and they are responsible for weight loss.
If the compound could be found to be safe for humans and the effects could be verified, this could lead to the creation of a treatment, and even something as basic as a pill. The pill could be used for type 2 diabetes and obesity.
The scientists gave the compound to two groups of mice. One of the groups was fed with a normal diet, while the other with a diet rich in fat which made the mice obese and compromised their tolerance towards glucose, which is an early evidence of diabetes.
The discoveries of the experiment were truly amazing. In the group that received the normal diet, the weight of the mice and their blood glucose remained within normal ranges. However, in the group that received the diet rich in fat, just a dose of the compound lowered the glucose in the blood to a near-normal ratio. A daily dose of the Compound 14 for a period of seven days caused the mice to lose around 5 percent of their weight.
The scientists said that the next step in their research will be to analyze the long-term effects of the treatment and how it reduces body weight and improves the glucose tolerance.
Image Source: alivecampus.com
