Re: Team Shrinks Fat Cells in Mice

[Guest guest]

I don't think this will reverse obesity per se. More like an injectible or

chemical liposuction. If one doesn't change eating patterns the fat will

return.

While you won't have the wasting/remodeling effects of severe energy

restriction (only targets fat). Toxins released from adipose mass, and

putrefying (dying) adipose tissue will be a short term toxic load on body.

There will be some benefit from changed hormonal signaling due to reduced

adipose mass, but who knows if there may be unpleasant and worse side

effects from getting there that way.

JR

PS interesting tidbit from this report. I pound of fat requires 1 mile of

blood vessels to support.

-----Original Message-----

From: Francesca Skelton [mailto:fskelton@...]

Sent: Monday, May 17, 2004 1:53 PM

support group

Subject: [ ] Team Shrinks Fat Cells in Mice

A technique similar to one developed to shrink cancerous tumors appears

promising for destroying fat cells, new research suggests.

For more than two decades, medical researchers have been developing drugs

that target blood vessels supplying blood to tumors as a way to fight

various forms of cancer.

A team of scientists at the University of Texas MD Cancer Center

in Houston and colleagues decided to try the same strategy as a possible

treatment for obesity, which has become epidemic in the United States.

The researchers first identified a substance, dubbed prohibitin, that homed

in on blood vessels supplying fat tissue. They then attached the substance

to another agent that causes cells to commit suicide.

When the researchers gave the compound to mice that had become obese from

eating a high-fat diet, the animals' body weight returned to normal within

weeks, the researchers reported in the June issue of the journal Nature

Medicine. The drug did not appear to have any significant adverse side

effects.

" If even a fraction of what we found in mice relates to human biology, then

we are cautiously optimistic that there may be a new way to think about

reversing obesity, " said Renata Pasqualini, who helped conduct the research.

-- Rob Stein

[Guest guest]

I'm very skeptical about this cancer med discovery. But if the

medication targets only appropriate excess fat, then I can see an

upside. Surely this destruction of fat cells is a bit better than just

shrinking the size of the cells from dieting. IT will always be easier

to re-inflate a dieted fat cell (with fat) than to create new fat cells.

According to : http://www.hhp.ufl.edu/keepingfit/ARTICLE/fatcells.HTM

" Fat cells are very influential in weight control. That's because

they're permanent--fat cells don't disappear when the weight is lost.

They simply shrink. And the more fat cells, the more storage area, and

the easier it is to gain weight. It's for this reason that obesity can't

be cured, but only controlled "

I agree about toxic load & hormonal changes. I have a long view that

body can right itself.

john roberts wrote:

>I don't think this will reverse obesity per se. More like an injectible or

chemical liposuction. If one doesn't change eating patterns the fat will return.

>

>While you won't have the wasting/remodeling effects of severe energy

restriction (only targets fat). Toxins released from adipose mass, and

putrefying (dying) adipose tissue will be a short term toxic load on body.

>

>There will be some benefit from changed hormonal signaling due to reduced

adipose mass, but who knows if there may be unpleasant and worse side effects

from getting there that way.

>

>JR

>

>PS interesting tidbit from this report. I pound of fat requires 1 mile of

>blood vessels to support.

>

>-----Original Message-----

>From: Francesca Skelton [mailto:fskelton@...]

>Sent: Monday, May 17, 2004 1:53 PM

>support group

>Subject: [ ] Team Shrinks Fat Cells in Mice

>

>

> A technique similar to one developed to shrink cancerous tumors appears

promising for destroying fat cells, new research suggests.

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

The (mouse) study was about a variation on targeting tumor blood vessel

growth. A popular strategy in trying to manage cancer. No doubt the drug

companies quite correctly perceive commercial value in targeting adipose

mass and " liposuction by injection " or maybe even someday " lipo by pills " .

The research was done in mice so it may not even work in humans, and I

expect sundry unpleasant side effects, probably worse that standard lipo

(I'm guessing) since all the dead fat has to be cleared somehow.

I'm inclined to agree with you that this is not a knock out approach for

eliminating cancer, but this list is about CRON not cancer. (If you wish I

will discuss " C " off list. I have planted too many close relatives and have

interest.)

Studies have demonstrated general health benefits from simple liposuction

(improved insulin response, etc). In the context of improving a given

individual's health, reducing adipose mass, should be helpful (probably due

to hormonal signaling).

I am not a fan of chemical or supplemental crutches. I have spent part of my

life at BMI's >33, and while I haven't weighed myself since returning from a

week in NAPA (sweet).... I expect to still be in the BMI=22 ballpark. I did

it, and do it, the good old fashioned way.

It is surely possible to control obesity with dietary restraint and

exercise. For the record, I do not have folds of skin flopping around, and

if I still have all my original fat cells, I don't care as long as they are

tiny and quiet. With all the remodeling that goes on with weight loss I find

it hard to believe that I can lose muscle and bone cells, but not fat cells?

All I can say is think about it! Yes, in the short term you may have a lot

of hungry screaming fat cells, but they will be consumed just like muscle

and bones after sustained energy deficits.

JR

PS: I appreciate all the skepticism... as Dr Walford teaches, question the

sources. I'd add " follow the money " . CRON is still a work in process...

anyone who claims to have all the answers is surely (mistaken?) and the big

drug company bucks are chasing weight loss cures not life extension.

-----Original Message-----

From: apricot85 [mailto:apricot85@...]

Sent: Thursday, May 20, 2004 11:09 PM

Subject: Re: [ ] Team Shrinks Fat Cells in Mice

I'm very skeptical about this cancer med discovery. But if the

medication targets only appropriate excess fat, then I can see an

upside. Surely this destruction of fat cells is a bit better than just

shrinking the size of the cells from dieting. IT will always be easier

to re-inflate a dieted fat cell (with fat) than to create new fat cells.

According to : http://www.hhp.ufl.edu/keepingfit/ARTICLE/fatcells.HTM

" Fat cells are very influential in weight control. That's because

they're permanent--fat cells don't disappear when the weight is lost.

They simply shrink. And the more fat cells, the more storage area, and

the easier it is to gain weight. It's for this reason that obesity can't

be cured, but only controlled "

I agree about toxic load & hormonal changes. I have a long view that

body can right itself.

john roberts wrote:

>I don't think this will reverse obesity per se. More like an injectible or

chemical liposuction. If one doesn't change eating patterns the fat will

return.

>

>While you won't have the wasting/remodeling effects of severe energy

restriction (only targets fat). Toxins released from adipose mass, and

putrefying (dying) adipose tissue will be a short term toxic load on body.

>

>There will be some benefit from changed hormonal signaling due to reduced

adipose mass, but who knows if there may be unpleasant and worse side

effects from getting there that way.

>

>JR

>

>PS interesting tidbit from this report. I pound of fat requires 1 mile of

>blood vessels to support.

>

>-----Original Message-----

>From: Francesca Skelton [mailto:fskelton@...]

>Sent: Monday, May 17, 2004 1:53 PM

>support group

>Subject: [ ] Team Shrinks Fat Cells in Mice

>

>

> A technique similar to one developed to shrink cancerous tumors appears

promising for destroying fat cells, new research suggests.

>

>

>