Researchers at the University of Cincinnati have identified a new target for drug developers out to control obesity and diabetes. David Hui, PhD, and colleagues say that they knocked out adipocyte low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1, or LRPR1, cell receptors in mice and registered a dramatic physical response. The knockout mice stored less fat and gained less weight while expending more energy than control mice. A separate group of researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center undertook the same experiment and duplicated the results, confirming the promise of this approach.
"Our study has shown this molecule directly impacts the rate of fat transport in the body, so with further study it could be a new target for drugs aimed at controlling obesity," says Hui.
"This shows that LRPR1 is a critical regulator of lipid absorption in fat cells," said Susana Hoffman, a pathology research professor at UC and a member of Hui's team. "Preventing these interactions in our model prevented the onset of obesity and diabetes."
- check out the release on the study
- here's the UPI report