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A team of researchers from the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB) found a treatment for obesity and type 2 diabetes in rats through gene therapy treatment.
The study was presented by the research team at a press conference held today on the UAB campus in Bellaterra, where was present the group of researchers led by Professor Fátima Bosch
With the introduction, in a single injection, of an adeno-associated viral vector (AAV) carrying the FGF21 gene, Fibroblast Growth Factor 21, which allows the genetic manipulation of the liver, adipose or musculoskeletal tissue, the animal continuously produces FGF21 protein
It is a natural hormone produced by several organs and acts on many tissues to regulate the smooth functioning of energy level, thus inducing their production by gene therapy, and causing the animal to reduce its weight as well as
With regard to obesity, the therapy applied across the research project has been successfully tested in two models of the disease, both genetically and nutritionally induced.
The researchers realized that the administration of gene therapy in healthy subjects also causes healthier aging and protects against overweight and insulin resistance related to age.
After treatment with AAV-FGF21, and during the year and a half when the animals were (19659003) Fatty deposits (steatosis), inflammation and hepatic fibrosis (NASH) were also neutralized , while insulin sensitivity and insulin sensitivity were associated with a decrease in fat accumulation and inflammation in adipose tissue. overall health has increased as we age, with no observed side effects.
Throughout the process, the results were reproduced by manipulating the genetics of various tissues to produce the FGF21 protein, be it the liver, adipose tissue, or muscle.
"This gives a very great flexibility to the therapy, since it allows to select the most appropriate tissue and, if there are complications Fatima Bosch added that when one of these tissues produce the protein FGF21 and place it in the bloodstream, the same thing prevents the manipulation of one of the tissues, can be applied to one of the others, "said the professor responsible for the The study is distributed throughout the body and highlighted the relevance of the findings to the increase in cases of type 2 diabetes and obesity in the world.
According to researchers, the Obesity increases the risk of death and represents a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, immune diseases, hypertension, arthritis, neurodegenerative diseases and some cancers.
"C & # 39; is the first time that obesity and resistance to insulin The long-term lina has been neutralized by the administration of a single gene therapy session in the animal model, which most closely resembles obesity and type 2 diabetes in the US. man, "says Verónica Jiménez, researcher at the UAB
. The results of the study also show that the administration of gene therapy has a protective effect against the risk of tumor formation when the liver is subjected to a high calorie diet for a long period of time
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