A recent study from Johns Hopkins Medicine has found that a drug originally developed to treat Alzheimer’s disease, schizophrenia, and sickle cell disease could also help combat obesity and related health problems.
Remarkably, the drug showed benefits without requiring changes to diet or physical activity.
Severe obesity is a global health crisis, increasing the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and other serious conditions. Despite this, no pill has been proven to effectively treat severe obesity.
The findings from this study could represent a major step forward in addressing this urgent health issue.
The research focused on an enzyme called PDE9, which plays a role in regulating a molecule known as cyclic GMP, important for various cellular processes. This enzyme is similar to PDE5, which is targeted by drugs like Viagra.
PDE9 inhibitors are still experimental and do not have a commercial drug name yet, but they are being tested for various conditions, including Alzheimer’s and heart failure.
In earlier work published in 2015, the research team discovered that PDE9 is present in the heart and contributes to heart disease caused by high blood pressure.
Building on this, the new study explored whether blocking PDE9 could help with conditions like obesity, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and cholesterol—common issues associated with metabolic syndrome.
Using mice for their experiments, the researchers tested a PDE9 inhibitor developed by Pfizer (PF-04447943), originally intended for Alzheimer’s treatment.
Although the drug was later abandoned for that purpose, it was found to be safe in human trials involving over 100 participants, with no significant side effects reported.
In the study, the mice showed significant improvements in weight, fatty liver, and heart function after receiving the drug. These changes occurred without alterations in their diet or activity levels.
If these results translate to humans, it could mean substantial weight loss for those struggling with obesity. For example, a person weighing 250 pounds might lose around 50 pounds simply by taking the medication.
The implications go beyond weight loss. The drug’s ability to improve heart health and reduce fatty liver suggests it could also address other obesity-related conditions.
This could make it a powerful tool in combating not only obesity but also its many associated health risks, including heart disease and diabetes.
Obesity is a growing concern in the United States, where over 40% of adults are classified as obese. Among women over 60, the rate is even higher, at 43%.
These statistics highlight the urgent need for effective treatments, especially for those who find it difficult to lose weight through traditional methods like diet and exercise.
While more research is needed to confirm these findings in humans, the results are promising. A different PDE9 inhibitor is already being tested in clinical trials for heart failure, further supporting the potential of this class of drugs.
The study, led by Dr. David Kass, is published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation. It offers new hope for tackling obesity and its related health challenges, potentially improving the lives of millions.
If you care about heart health, please read studies about how drinking milk affects risks of heart disease, and herbal supplements could harm your heart rhythm.
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