Is it possible to treat obesity without reducing food intake? A study published in the journal Nature Communications reveals that, at least in animal models, it might be possible, according to research led by Antonio Zorzano, professor at the Faculty of Biology of the University of Barcelona and member of the Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), along with Manuela Sánchez-Feutrie (IRB Barcelona).
The new research shows that Neuritin 1 - a protein previously associated with the nervous system - is also produced in brown adipose tissue, where it acts as a powerful activator of energy expenditure, helping to fight obesity and other metabolic diseases.
Neuritin 1: a new player in energy metabolism
Unlike current treatments for obesity and diabetes - for example, Ozempic or Tirzepatide, which reduce appetite - Neuritin 1 works by increasing energy expenditure without affecting eating behaviour. "What we've observed is that by increasing the expression of Neuritin specifically in brown adipose tissue, animals burn more energy, which prevents fat accumulation," explains Antonio Zorzano, professor in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biomedicine at the University of Barcelona and researcher at CIBERDEM.
This increase in metabolism leads to significant improvements in various parameters: less weight gain, greater insulin sensitivity and reduced liver inflammation, even in animals fed high-calorie diets.
"The finding suggests that this protein could have great therapeutic value for treating obesity and its comorbidities, such as type-2 diabetes or fatty liver, through a completely different mechanism than current treatments," highlights Manuela Sánchez-Feutrie.
