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Tyk2 enzyme helps regulate obesity through differentiation of brown adipose tissue

Approximately 68 percent of U.S. adults are overweight or obese, according to the National Cancer Institute, which puts them at greater risk for developing cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and a host of other chronic illnesses.

But an international team of scientists led by Virginia Commonwealth University Massey Cancer Center researcher Andrew Larner, M.D., Ph.D., has successfully reversed obesity in mice by manipulating the production of an enzyme known as tyrosine-protein kinase-2 (Tyk2). In their experiments, the scientists discovered that Tyk2 helps regulate obesity in mice and humans through the differentiation of a type of fat tissue known as brown adipose tissue (BAT).
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This discovery may lead to methods to treat obesity by modulating levels of the enzyme. If successful, not only would obesity rates decrease, but healthy life span would increase.

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Researchers identifiy mechanism that turns white fat cells to brown

Researchers identifiy mechanism that turns white fat cells to brown | Longevity science | Scoop.it
Earlier this year, a team from UC San Francisco reported on the discovery that a class of commonly prescribed type-2 diabetes drugs, called TZDs (thiazolidinediones, such as Actos and Avandia), promoted the conversion of energy-storing white fat cells into energy-burning brown fat cells. Now researchers at Columbia University Medical Center (CUMC) have identified the mechanism that causes this change to take place, potentially leading to new treatments for obesity and type-2 diabetes.

 

While it was known that TZDs have the ability to change white fat cells to brown fat cells by activating a cell receptor called peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor–gamma (ppar-gamma), the exact mechanism behind this transformation was unclear. Because TZDs have numerous adverse side effects,

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With Extra Gene, Mice are Footloose and Cancer Free

With Extra Gene, Mice are Footloose and Cancer Free | Longevity science | Scoop.it

Since when is boosting fat an anti-aging secret? Well, there is finally good news on the fat front. Brown fat is hyperactive and burns energy. Yes, it's true! These researchers learned more about tumor suppressors and suggest future treatments may boost brown fat to fight aging and cancer.

 

"In a perfect world, we could eat to our heart's content without sacrificing our health and good looks, and now it appears that maybe we can. Mice with an extra dose of a known anti-cancer gene lose weight even as their appetites grow."

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Study in Mice Discovers Injection of Heat-Generating Cells Reduces Belly Fat

Study in Mice Discovers Injection of Heat-Generating Cells Reduces Belly Fat | Longevity science | Scoop.it

The injection of a tiny capsule containing heat-generating cells into the abdomens of mice led those animals to burn abdominal fat and initially lose about 20 percent of belly fat after 80 days of treatment.

 

Researchers conducting the study were surprised to see that the injected cells even acted like “missionaries,” converting existing belly fat cells into so-called thermogenic cells, which use fat to generate heat.

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Protein that stimulates brown fat could boost weight loss strategies

Protein that stimulates brown fat could boost weight loss strategies | Longevity science | Scoop.it

The ability to activate brown fat in the body could provide a means to fight obesity and keep the weight off.

 

Now scientists have discovered a protein that could allow them to do just that.


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