A team of Ohio University researchers have made a ground-breaking development in the fight against obesity. In a study recently published in Obesity, the researchers highlight a protein that is naturally produced in the body but could potentially be applied to combat weight gain and improve metabolic health in patients with obesity.
Apolipoprotein A4 (APOA4) is a protein produced by the small intestine in response to dietary fats. While it plays a vital role in controlling appetite and burning calories, its benefits are significantly reduced for individuals with chronic consumption of high-fat diets.
However, in the recent study authored by Hsuan-Chih Kuo and Zachary LaRussa, graduate students in biological sciences, it was found that supplementing this protein externally could restore its benefits and combat obesity.
"Our findings demonstrate that APOA4 can do much more than we previously thought," said Dr Chunmin Lo, the corresponding author and associate professor of neurophysiology, obesity and diabetes in Biomedical Sciences at the Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine. "It's not just about appetite control but also about how the body processes and burns fat. This action could change the way we approach obesity treatment."
In the obese mouse models studied in this research, supplementing APOA4 prevented further weight gain, reduced fat mass and minimised fat cell size, all without changes to food intake or physical activity. The protein also reduced fat accumulation in the liver and improved markers of liver health, including glucose tolerance and fatty acid oxidation.
These findings are particularly relevant to the southeast Ohio and Appalachian regions, where obesity and related health conditions, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease, are disproportionately prevalent due to barriers to health care access and limited resources for weight management. By offering a new approach that could complement existing lifestyle interventions, this research provides hope for improving the health and well-being of communities in this region.
"The Appalachian region faces unique health challenges," said Lo. "Our work aims to address these challenges by developing treatments that are accessible and effective for people in underserved areas like Southeast Ohio."
While these results are promising, further studies will still be needed to determine how APOA4 could be developed into treatments for humans. Still, the team's research sets the stage for clinical trials to explore APOA4's potential in addressing obesity and related metabolic disorders.
The findings were published in the paper, ‘Attenuation of high‐fat diet‐induced weight gain by apolipoprotein A4’, published in Obesity. To access this paper, please click here
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