COLUMBUS, Ohio, March 10 (UPI) -- U.S. medical researchers say they are studying using a gene injected directly into the brain as a possible long-term treatment for obesity.
The study by scientists at the Ohio State University Medical Center involves modifying one of the critical feeding and weight control centers of the brain.
"Obesity significantly increases the risk for diabetes, cardiovascular disease, stroke and some cancers," said Dr. Matthew During, the study's senior author. "Our findings represent a promising new treatment for obesity that could ultimately provide a much safer and more effective approach than some conventional therapies."
During said scientists have discovered a particular gene, BDNF, can improve insulin sensitivity, reduce fat mass and result in weight loss when active in the hypothalamus.
Assistant Professor Lei Cao, the study's first author, said the research involved injecting the BDNF gene into normal mice, diabetic mice and mice fed with a high fat diet to determine how the gene transfer would affect their weight.
"The gene was active in the overweight mice, but as they lost weight the gene expression was essentially 'dialed down' using a novel RNA interference approach, thus stopping the weight from continuing to decrease and allowing a stable target weight to be reached," said Cao.
During said the next step is to obtain FDA approval to begin studying the therapy in humans.
The research is reported online in the journal Nature Medicine.
