Inhibiting Obesity

Inhibiting Obesity

Author: Melania Tesio

Obesity often alters the response to metabolic hormones such as insulin. This pathological situation, known as insulin resistance, arises from a chronic inflammation occurring in liver and fat tissues of obese individuals. Two protein kinases, TBK1 and IKK-ε, play a major role in these processes.

Shannon Reilly, University of Michigan, USA, and colleagues demonstrated that amlexanox (pictured), a drug already used for the treatment of asthma, allergic rhinitis, and aphthous ulcers, is a selective inhibitor of both kinases. As a consequence, when administered to obese mice, this compound reduced obesity-induced inflammation, restored insulin responsiveness, and promoted weight loss. This effect was not due to a decreased food intake but it was instead promoted by an increased energy consumption. Thus, amlexanox might be an important drug for the treatment of obesity and related metabolic disorders.


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