Weight loss, weight gain, obesity – endless hot topics for generations. Many factors influence overweight and obesity, including diet, lifestyle, disease, and, to a large extent, genetics. On average, 4 people die every day due to obesity-related problems. Drug developers are crying out for new information to develop anti-obesity drugs. Scientists have described the genes that promote obesity. Others prevent it. The study was conducted on worms.
Gene Influence on Obesity
Scientists know hundreds of gene variants that are expressed in obese people. They are often associated with other diseases. However, the likelihood of an individual developing them does not necessarily mean that they cause disease.
“This uncertainty is a major obstacle to harnessing the power of population genomics to identify targets for the treatment or cure of obesity, “said lead author Dr. Eyleen O’Rourke, a research scientist in the Department of Biology and the Department of Cell Biology at the University of Virginia, Charlottesville.
The team of scientists tested hundreds of genes in the worms Caenorhabditis elegans to elucidate their role in obesity. In the first round of experiments, they tested nearly 300 genes. So far, they have discovered and identified 14 genes that cause obesity and three genes that prevent or help prevent obesity.
3 Genes Blocking Obesity Found
The researchers found that the 3 genes mentioned, blocking which prevented the worms from becoming obese, also caused better neuro-locomotor function and long life. The results are encouraging. This is exactly the kind of information that anti-obesity drug developers need. Their efforts would be appreciated by a significant portion of the population.
Obesity is a major risk factor for serious health problems, including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, stroke, and some cancers. In the last ten years, obesity has caused more than 4 million deaths a year. Increased obesity and extreme obesity could lead to a global reduction in life expectancy over the next decade.
Source and credit: sci-news.com/medicine/new-obesity-genes-10127.html, pixabay.com
