Obesity is a major health issue in the United States, with over 40% of the population classified as obese, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Among American women over 60, the rate is even higher, at 43%.
Obesity is linked to serious health problems, including heart disease, diabetes, and fatty liver disease. Despite the scale of the problem, there is currently no widely effective pill for treating severe obesity.
However, a recent study from Johns Hopkins University offers new hope. Researchers found that an experimental drug, originally developed to treat Alzheimer’s disease, schizophrenia, and sickle cell disease, could help reduce obesity, fatty liver, and improve heart function.
What’s more, the drug achieved these results in mice without requiring changes to diet or physical activity. If these findings apply to humans, the impact could be transformative.
The drug works by inhibiting an enzyme called PDE9, which plays a role in regulating cyclic GMP, a molecule involved in cellular signaling. PDE9 is a relative of another enzyme, PDE5, which is targeted by drugs like Viagra. Unlike PDE5 inhibitors, PDE9 inhibitors are still experimental and do not yet have an official drug name.
The connection between PDE9 and heart health was first identified by the same research team in 2015. They found that PDE9 is present in the heart and contributes to heart disease caused by high blood pressure.
Since then, scientists have been exploring whether blocking this enzyme could help with other conditions linked to obesity, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and excess body fat.
For this study, the team used a PDE9 inhibitor developed by Pfizer (PF-04447943), which was initially tested for Alzheimer’s disease but later abandoned for that purpose.
The drug has already been tested in over 100 people during clinical trials for Alzheimer’s and sickle cell disease, showing it is well tolerated with no major side effects. Another PDE9 inhibitor is currently being tested in humans for heart failure.
In mouse models, the PDE9 inhibitor significantly reduced body fat, improved blood sugar levels, and enhanced heart function. If these results are replicated in humans, the potential impact is striking.
For example, a person weighing 250 pounds could lose around 50 pounds without making changes to their diet or exercise routine. Such a breakthrough could provide a much-needed tool for managing obesity and its associated health risks.
While these findings are exciting, it’s important to note that the drug is still in the experimental stage. More research is needed to confirm its safety and effectiveness in humans for treating obesity and related conditions.
This study highlights the complex relationship between enzymes like PDE9 and health problems such as obesity and heart disease. It also underscores the potential for repurposing drugs originally developed for other conditions.
For those interested in heart health, other studies have explored how dietary choices, like eating avocados, can support a heart-healthy lifestyle.
Conversely, some research suggests that vaccines for flu and COVID-19 might slightly increase heart disease risk, though these findings are still under investigation. Additional studies show that taking vitamins at the right time, especially Vitamin K2, could help reduce the risk of heart disease.
The Johns Hopkins research, led by Dr. David Kass and published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, opens up new possibilities for addressing obesity and its impact on heart health. While more work is needed, the potential of PDE9 inhibitors is a promising step forward.
If you care about weight, please read studies about diet that can treat fatty liver disease, obesity, and hop extract could reduce belly fat in overweight people.
For more information about weight, please see recent studies about how to curb your cravings for ready-to-eat foods, and results showing what you can eat to speed your metabolism up.
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