NIH grant supports additional baby metabolism research
April 17, 2024 / Women’s Health / NIH / East Carolina University / Obesity / Metabolic Outcomes
A five-year, $2.5 million NIH grant supports East Carolina University (ECU) researchers in studying how maternal exercise impacts fetal metabolism, aiming to curb generational obesity. The research will explore metabolic outcomes in babies from mothers with obesity and examine potential benefits of prenatal exercise on offspring health.
Quantifying the effect of nutritional interventions on metabolic resilience using personalized computational models
April 19, 2024 / Insulin Resistance / Obesity / Researchers / Metabolic Health
Researchers used the Mixed Meal Model, a computational model, to create 342 personalized models for overweight and obese individuals, quantifying insulin resistance and other metabolic traits. This method aids in assessing the impact of nutritional interventions on metabolic health at an individual level.
MAFLD with central obesity is associated with increased risk of colorectal adenoma and high-risk adenoma
April 22, 2024 / Obesity / Liver Disease / Fatty Liver Disease / MAFLD
A study involving 1,395 subjects found that metabolism-related fatty liver disease (MAFLD) with central obesity is significantly associated with a higher risk of colorectal adenoma and high-risk adenoma. Factors like age, obesity, hypertension, diabetes, and smoking were also identified as independent risk factors.
Researchers earn $2.3 million grant to study generational cycle of maternal obesity, liver disease
April 22, 2024 / Obesity / Metabolic Disorders / Liver Disease / NIH / University of Oklahoma
University of Oklahoma researchers received a $2.3 million NIH grant to study the impact of maternal obesity on fetal reprogramming, linked to higher risks of obesity, diabetes, and liver disease. They will also examine whether an antioxidant, pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ), can reduce the risk of fetal reprogramming and its metabolic consequences.
Metsera Launches to Lead the Next Generation of Medicines for Obesity and Metabolic Diseases
April 18, 2024 / Obesity / Metabolic Disorders / Oral Therapies / Weight Loss
Metsera, Inc., a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company, announced its launch with a focus on developing next-generation medicines for obesity and metabolic diseases. The company’s portfolio includes oral and injectable therapies targeting multiple pathways for weight loss, muscle preservation, and improved dosing schedules. Metsera aims to address future needs in the rapidly evolving weight loss treatment landscape.
Diet switch pre-vaccination improves immune response and metabolic status in formerly obese mice
April 18, 2024 / Metabolic Dysfunction / Diet / Immune System / Vaccine
Switching obese mice from a high-fat diet to a control diet 4 weeks before influenza vaccination improves immune response and metabolic status. This early diet change reversed T cell dysfunction and enhanced vaccine efficacy, suggesting the impact of diet on vaccine immunogenicity in obese subjects.
Lipid metabolic reprogramming mediated by circulating Nrg4 alleviates metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease during the early recovery phase after sleeve gastrectomy
April 17, 2024 / Metabolic Dysfunction / New Study / Liver Sidease / MASLD
A study on metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) found that increased levels of circulating Nrg4 after sleeve gastrectomy (SG) can alleviate hepatic steatosis. This reprogramming of lipid metabolism occurs during the early recovery phase, suggesting that SG triggers beneficial changes in hepatic lipid deposition, mediated by Nrg4’s activation of fatty acid oxidation.
ApoA-IV surge after bariatric surgery enhances insulin secretion and energy expenditure
April 18, 2024 / Bariatric Surgery / Insulin / Energy
Bariatric surgery leads to a significant increase in apolipoprotein A-IV (apoA-IV), enhancing insulin secretion and energy expenditure. A recent study showed that apoA-IV’s increase post-surgery improves glucose tolerance and energy expenditure, indicating its role in promoting insulin secretion via the GPCR/cAMP pathway, thereby offering insights into improved glycemic control after bariatric procedures.
Exercise’s effects on cognitive function varies based on glucose tolerance
April 18, 2024 / Obesity / Insulin / High-Intensity Exercise
A study in “”Physiology & Behavior”” found that high-intensity aerobic exercise improves cognitive function in lean individuals and obese individuals with normal glucose tolerance, but not in obese individuals with impaired glucose tolerance. This suggests that metabolic dysfunction may affect the cognitive benefits of exercise due to increased inflammation.
‘Ozempic babies’: Women say weight loss drug leading to unexpected pregnancies
April 18, 2024 / Weight Loss Drugs / Pregnancy Risks / Women’s Health / Ozempic
Ozempic (semaglutide), a weight loss drug, may contribute to unexpected pregnancies by improving fertility in women with obesity. Weight loss from Ozempic can enhance ovulation, thus increasing pregnancy chances. However, semaglutide may carry risks during pregnancy, so women should stop using it at least two months before conception and seek medical advice.
Insulin levels affect the brain differently in exercises compared to no glucose tolerance
April 18, 2024 / Ozempic / Women’s Health / Pregnancy / Fertility
Ozempic (semaglutide), a weight loss drug, may contribute to unexpected pregnancies by improving fertility in women with obesity. Weight loss from Ozempic can enhance ovulation, thus increasing pregnancy chances. However, semaglutide may carry risks during pregnancy, so women should stop using it at least two months before conception and seek medical advice.
Small extracellular vesicles from young plasma reverse age-related functional declines by improving mitochondrial energy metabolism
April 16, 2024 / sEVs / Metabolic Health / Metabolism
Small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) derived from young mouse plasma have shown significant rejuvenating effects in aged mice. These sEVs, when intravenously injected, can extend lifespan, mitigate age-related declines, and improve mitochondrial energy metabolism through PGC-1α stimulation, indicating their potential role in reversing age-related dysfunction at multiple levels.
Boehringer signs $1.3B deal with RNA biotech Ochre Bio to team up against MASH
April 22, 2024 / MASH / Boehringer Ingelheim / Liver Disease / RNA Therapies
Boehringer Ingelheim has entered a $1.3 billion deal with British biotech Ochre Bio to research RNA therapies for metabolic-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). Ochre Bio focuses on enhancing the liver’s regenerative abilities to treat chronic liver disease. The agreement includes $35 million in upfront and research-based milestone payments, with Ochre also eligible for additional clinical, regulatory, and commercial milestones.
Ever-Rising Fatty Liver Disease Gets Its First Drug and a New Name
April 19, 2024 / MASLD / MASH / Fatty Liver Disease / Liver Fibrosis
Resmetirom (Rezdiffra), the first drug approved by the FDA for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), shows promise in reversing fibrosis and treating liver scarring. In a Phase 3 trial, 25% to 30% of participants with MASH showed improvement with the drug, offering a new therapeutic approach to address the growing incidence of fatty liver disease and its complications.
FXR314 well tolerated, lowers liver fat, Phase 2 MASH trial shows
April 22, 2024 / MASH / Liver Fat Reduction / Clinical Trials
FXR314, an investigational oral therapy, showed significant reductions in liver fat in a Phase 2 clinical trial for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). The low dose achieved a 22.8% reduction in liver fat, while the high dose achieved a 17.5% reduction, with a placebo achieving only 6.1%. FXR314 was well-tolerated, with mild or moderate side effects and no signs of pruritus, common in similar therapies.
Harnessing B cells could fight cancer or autoimmune diseases by targeting mitochondrial metabolism
April 17, 2024 / Cancer Immunotherapy / B Cells / Cancer / Autoummune Diease / Metabolism
Regulatory B cells (Bregs) depend on mitochondrial electron transport and reactive oxygen species (ROS) to maintain their immune-regulating functions. A new study shows that the protein Thioredoxin (Trx) is crucial for Breg function, and its deficiency leads to impaired immune regulation, suggesting Trx targeting could be a therapeutic strategy for autoimmune diseases and cancer by modulating Breg activity.
Identification of metabolism-related key genes as potential biomarkers for pathogenesis of immune thrombocytopenia
April 19, 2024 / Metabolic Health / Biomarkers / Metabolism
This study identifies key metabolism-related genes (ADH4, CYP7A1, CYP1A2, CYP8B1, NR1H4) as potential biomarkers for immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) by analyzing gene expression data from peripheral blood of ITP patients. These genes, particularly involved in cholesterol metabolism, may influence the pathogenesis of ITP and offer new diagnostic insights.
Boehringer Ingelheim teams with Ochre Bio on $1.3B deal to combat MASH
April 22, 2024 / Boehringer Ingelheim / MASH / Liver Diease / RNA
Boehringer Ingelheim signed a $1.3 billion deal with Ochre Bio to develop treatments for chronic liver diseases, focusing on metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) cirrhosis. The partnership aims to discover regenerative targets using advanced genomics and machine learning, with Boehringer providing $35 million upfront and additional milestone payments worth over $1 billion.
Calorify raises nearly $500K in pre-seed round to commercialize metabolism testing
April 18, 2024 / Startup / Metabolic Health / Metabolism
Metabolic testing startup Calorify raised nearly $500,000 in a pre-seed round to expand commercial testing with doubly-labeled water, a method that measures calorie intake, energy expenditure, and body fat percentage. Calorify’s technology aims to make metabolism testing more accessible and affordable, helping athletes and medical practices understand energy expenditure and improve training regimens.
Ochre Bio announces partnership with Boehringer Ingelheim to develop novel regenerative treatments for patients with advanced liver disease
April 22, 2024 / Ochre Bio Partnership / Boehringer Ingelheim / MASH / Chronic Liver Disease
Ochre Bio announced a partnership with Boehringer Ingelheim to develop regenerative treatments for chronic liver diseases, particularly focusing on late-stage metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) cirrhosis. Ochre Bio will use its machine learning-based discovery platform and ex-vivo human-organ perfusion models to identify and validate novel regenerative targets. Boehringer aims to develop therapies that modulate these targets to enhance the liver’s self-repair capabilities, addressing the unmet need for effective treatments for advanced liver diseases.
US FDA approves first drug for fatty liver disease NASH
April 14, 2024 / Rezdiffra Approval / NASH / FDA Approval / Fatty Liver Disease
The FDA has approved Madrigal Pharmaceuticals’ drug, Rezdiffra, for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), the first treatment for the condition. This approval represents a significant advance in treating the fatty liver disease, with the drug priced at $47,400 annually. Rezdiffra is approved for patients with NASH and fibrosis at stage 2 or 3, opening the door for more therapeutic options in the multi-billion dollar market.
Boehringer Ingelheim Strikes Regenerative Med R&D Deal Spanning MASH & More Liver Diseases
April 22, 2024 / Boehringer Ingelheim / Ochre Bio / Startup / RNA / Liver Dieases / Metabolic Dysfunction / MASH
Boehringer Ingelheim has partnered with Ochre Bio, a startup specializing in RNA medicines for chronic liver diseases, to identify novel regenerative targets for chronic liver diseases, including metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH). Boehringer will initially commit $35 million, with a potential to exceed $1 billion if milestones are met. The partnership aims to explore liver regeneration to address advanced-stage chronic liver diseases where regenerative capacity diminishes, seeking to prevent or reverse disease progression.
Type 2 diabetes is not one-size-fits-all: Subtypes affect complications and treatment options
April 18, 2024 / Type 2 Diabetes / Insulin / Obesity / Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes encompasses various subtypes, each with unique characteristics and treatment responses. Subtypes like Severe Insulin-Deficient Diabetes (SIDD), Severe Insulin-Resistant Diabetes (SIRD), Mild Obesity-Related Diabetes (MOD), and Mild Age-Related Diabetes (MARD) affect patients differently, influencing complication risks and treatment strategies. This diversity underscores the need for personalized approaches to diabetes management, tailoring therapy to individual subtypes to improve outcomes.
Bariatric surgery-induced upregulation of apoA-IV is beneficial for insulin secretion and energy expenditure: Study
April 17, 2024 / Insulin / Type 2 Diabetes / Obesity
A recent study found that bariatric surgery, including laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), significantly increased apolipoprotein A-IV (apoA-IV) levels, leading to improved insulin secretion and energy expenditure. This upregulation was associated with enhanced glucose tolerance and improved metabolic rates, suggesting that apoA-IV could be a key therapeutic target for managing obesity and type 2 diabetes.
5 “Bad” Fruits You Actually Should Be Eating When You Have Metabolic Syndrome
April 22, 2024 / Metabolic Sydrome / Cardiovascular Health / Fruit
Fruits often labeled as “”bad”” due to their sugar content, such as bananas, grapes, mangos, apples, and watermelon, can actually benefit those with metabolic syndrome. These fruits offer fiber, antioxidants, and vitamins that can improve cardiovascular and metabolic health. A diet including these fruits can help manage risk factors associated with metabolic syndrome, like blood sugar, cholesterol, and inflammation.