The Future Weight-Loss Drugs: Uncoupling
April 14, 2009 | Leave a Comment
You don’t have to be an expert to know that energy metabolism works through a sequence of coupled reactions. In other words, energy is set off by breaking down fats, carbohydrates. It is captured in other effects like making ATP (high energy chemical) or stock up on fats and carbohydrates. Uncoupling takes place when the energy from food breakdown is set off as heat rather than being captured as ATP. The cell mitochondria (cell energy centers) have uncoupling proteins like UCP1, which change energy into heat.
The Benefits of Uncoupling
Mitochondria has UCP1, however, they are mainly concentrated in brown fat. Our bodies evolve in order to stock up on energy (fat) proficiently. In addition, it is able to produce heat through uncoupling to prevent from hypothermia and cold. Drug makers are seeking out genes that cause uncoupling in cells to raise metabolic rate and assist people in losing fat. As a result, this may lead to new and improved drugs for weight loss.
(Source: International Journal of Obesity, 32, S32-S38, 2008)
