A groundbreaking fat-burning injection has emerged as a potential game-changer in weight loss by enabling individuals to maintain their food intake while shedding pounds. Animal trials indicate that the newly developed drug, RES-010, enhances the body’s ability to metabolize food efficiently, preventing it from being stored as fat. Mice treated with the weekly injection exhibited weight loss despite consuming the same amount of food as untreated mice.
Presented at the annual meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes in Vienna, preliminary research reveals that the injection, which targets an RNA molecule known as miR-22, plays a pivotal role in regulating various processes linked to obesity. These processes encompass fat breakdown and utilization, mitochondrial function, and adipose tissue organization. Human trials assessing the injection’s safety are currently underway.
Dr. Riccardo Panella, CEO of Resalis Therapeutics, explained that RES-010 functions by reprogramming cellular mechanisms related to fat and energy management. Unlike conventional weight loss injections that curb appetite, RES-010 alters fat utilization, promotes mitochondrial activity, and facilitates the conversion of energy-storing white fat into energy-burning brown fat. By impacting these fundamental pathways, the drug aims to achieve sustainable weight loss and enhance metabolic health.
Nevertheless, some experts caution that further evidence is necessary to substantiate the drug’s purported benefits. While initial findings were shared at the conference, comprehensive details are awaited for a thorough evaluation. Weight loss injections like Mounjaro and Wegovy have been lauded for their potential impact on combating obesity within the NHS; however, global supply shortages pose challenges in widespread availability. The NHS is prioritizing severely obese individuals through specialized weight loss services due to limited resources.
Approximately 1.5 million Britons are undergoing weight loss injections, predominantly through private prescriptions due to the NHS’s constraints. These injections operate by slowing digestion and reducing appetite through hormone mimicry. It is crucial for users to receive tailored diet and lifestyle support alongside the injections, given the potential muscle loss associated with their use. Research indicates that users of GLP-1 injections may experience muscle loss in addition to fat reduction, necessitating sustained dietary and activity modifications to prevent weight regain post-treatment.