International Journal of Obesity: You can lose weight by "lying flat"!

A recent study published in the International Journal of Obesity found that deleting a gene associated with obesity in male mice resulted in a dramatic reduction in fat mass

A recent study published in the International Journal of Obesity found that deleting a gene associated with obesity in male mice resulted in a dramatic reduction in fat mass

The study was conducted by a team of anatomy and cell biology researchers led by Silvia Penuela at the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry at the University of Western Ontario, Canada , under the leadership of PhD candidate Brent Wakefield , in collaboration with other laboratories at Western University, including Frank Professor Beier collaborated with the University of Toronto .

The study was conducted by a team of anatomy and cell biology researchers led by Silvia Penuela at the Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry at the University of Western Ontario, Canada , under the leadership of PhD candidate Brent Wakefield , in collaboration with other laboratories at Western University, including Frank Professor Beier collaborated with the University of Toronto .

Research results (Source: International Journal of Obesity )

Research results (Source: International Journal of Obesity )

Penuela's lab tested a gene called Pannexin 3 ( PANX3 for short ) and its effect on fat tissue in mice

Penuela's lab tested a gene called Pannexin 3 ( PANX3 for short ) and its effect on fat tissue in mice

The research team found that after the PANX3 gene was knocked out in male mice, the body fat of the mice was reduced and the muscle mass was increased, which is equivalent to exercising 1 hour a day, 5 days a week, and lasting for 6 weeks

In humans, three PANX3 genes encode the proteins that form the channel

The PANX3 gene is highly expressed in adipocytes of the body

Male mice lacking the PANX3 gene had an average reduction of 46 percent in body fat mass compared with male mice with the gene

In addition, male mice lacking the PANX3 gene also had much lower levels of inflammation in visceral adipose tissue, a major indicator of obesity associated with cardiovascular disease and other comorbidities such as diabetes

Now, the Penuela lab is looking to develop PANX3 drug blockers that would be useful to inhibit the function of PANX3 in humans .

While the results of the collaborative study are promising, Penuela says there is an important caveat to the study

Penuela explained: " If you have a high-fat diet and always eat burgers and fries, it doesn't matter how much you knock out or block the PANX3 gene

The researchers have partnered with WORLDiscoveries (the University of Western Ontario's Office of Technology Transfer) to explore the development of gene-blocking drugs with industry partners

Researchers acknowledge that obesity is a complex disease, influenced by factors such as genetics and life>

The study also found that exercise and diet can play a role in regulating PANX3 .
When mice did not eat well, PANX3 levels in the body's adipose tissue increased .
Conversely, exercise reduced PANX3 levels in mice .



 

In addition to exploring the creation of PANX3 blockers, the research team's next steps include further studies of human genes
.
Penuela said her lab aims to analyze PANX3 in the human genome sequence , looking for genetic mutations that could determine why some people are more prone to accumulating fat .
This may provide researchers with new clues as to why some people are more likely to gain weight and gain weight by drinking cold water, while others are more likely to maintain their natural health .

In addition to exploring the creation of PANX3 blockers, the research team's next steps include further studies of human genes
.
Penuela said her lab aims to analyze PANX3 in the human genome sequence , looking for genetic mutations that could determine why some people are more prone to accumulating fat .
This may provide researchers with new clues as to why some people are more likely to gain weight and gain weight by drinking cold water, while others are more likely to maintain their natural health .

References:

References:

[1]Deleting specific gene in male mice reduces fat mass:

[1]Deleting specific gene in male mice reduces fat mass:

https://medicalxpress.
com/news/2022-01-deleting-specific-gene-male-mice.
html

https://medicalxpress.
com/news/2022-01-deleting-specific-gene-male-mice.
html

[2] Wakefield, CB Lee VR Johnston, D.
et al.
Pannexin 3 deletion reduces fataccumulation and inflammation in a sex-specific manner.
Int J Obes(2021).

[2] Wakefield, CB Lee VR Johnston, D.
et al.
Pannexin 3 deletion reduces fataccumulation and inflammation in a sex-specific manner.
Int J Obes(2021).

https://doi.
org/10.
1038/s41366-021-01037-4

https://doi.
org/10.
1038/s41366-021-01037-4

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