Obesity is a serious health issue in the United States, affecting more than 40% of the population. Among women over 60, the rate is even higher, with 43% considered obese. Despite this widespread problem, there is currently no effective pill to treat severe obesity, which increases the risk of conditions like heart disease, diabetes, and fatty liver disease.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins Medicine have discovered that a drug originally developed for Alzheimer’s disease, schizophrenia, and sickle cell disease may help reduce obesity, lower fat buildup in the liver, and improve heart function—without requiring changes in diet or exercise.
This study builds on earlier research from 2015, which identified a key enzyme called PDE9 in the heart. Scientists found that this enzyme plays a role in heart disease caused by high blood pressure. PDE9 is similar to another enzyme, PDE5, which is targeted by drugs like Viagra.
While PDE5 inhibitors are well-known, PDE9 inhibitors are still experimental and do not yet have an approved drug name.
In the study, researchers tested whether blocking PDE9 could help with common health problems, including high blood pressure, high blood sugar, cholesterol issues, and excess body fat—especially around the waist. They used a PDE9 inhibitor called PF-04447943, developed by Pfizer for Alzheimer’s disease but later abandoned for that use.
This research was conducted in mice, but if the results translate to humans, the potential impact could be significant. The study suggests that a person weighing 250 pounds could lose about 50 pounds simply by taking a PDE9 inhibitor, without needing to change their eating or exercise habits.
Though PDE9 inhibitors are still being tested, over 100 people have already taken this drug in previous clinical trials for other diseases, and it was found to be safe with no major side effects. Another version of a PDE9 inhibitor is currently being studied for heart failure in humans.
While more research is needed before these drugs become available for obesity treatment, the findings offer hope that a new medical option could help people struggling with weight-related health issues.
The study was conducted by David Kass and his team and was published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation.
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