Ordinary fat cells in obese animals can be induced to burn energy stores, generating substantial heat, according to a preclinical study by Weill Cornell Medicine investigators.
In the study, published Feb. 23 in Nature Metabolism, the researchers showed that in fat cells called white adipocytes, high levels of fatty acids from fat stores, in the presence of a key enzyme called AAC, can trigger a process that uses fat to produce heat and increase energy expenditure. They demonstrated that this process can occur in obese mice—implying that it could yield significant weight loss over time.
“There is still a lot of research to do, but in principle this approach to treating obesity might be very effective and safe,” said study senior author Dr. Shannon Reilly, an assistant professor of metabolic health in medicine and a member of the Joan and Sanford I. Weill Center for Metabolic Health at Weill Cornell Medicine. “Current weight-loss medications work by reducing hunger but sometimes have unpleasant digestive side effects. This new approach complements these existing therapies and thus could potentially be used in conjunction with lower doses to minimize unwanted side effects.”
