Hormone irisin eyed as possible weight loss drug ingredient

The hormone irisin—generated in large amounts during exercise—may have a future as an obesity drug, Harvard University scientists have discovered in a new study published in the journal Nature. Researchers injected irisin into obese, pre-diabetic mice; they subsequently lost weight and their blood sugar dropped to more normal levels. Normally, the muscle cell hormone rises during exercise and turns white fat into brown fat, which is used to generate body heat. Study author Bruce Spiegelman told Bloomberg that the treatment would not replace diet and exercise and it does not build muscles. Boston's Ember Therapeutics has licensed the compound. Story