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New weight loss drug makes fat cells die off
Last reviewed: 01.07.2025
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In a study published in the journal Medical Science Translational, researchers presented a new and potentially revolutionary approach to weight loss in obesity, a drug called Adipotide, which works by reducing the blood supply to fat cells (adipocytes), causing them to simply die.
Standard approaches to treating obesity usually involve activating the metabolism and/or reducing calorie intake with appetite suppression. And this does not exclude regular visits to the gym and, in some cases, gastric bypass surgery.
Dr. Lou Aronne, director of the comprehensive weight management program at Weill-Cornell Medical College, explains, "This is a groundbreaking concept in the fight against obesity today... But we still need to do human studies to see if it's effective and, more importantly, safe."
The drug was first tested on monkeys. The results of the experiment showed that over four weeks, they lost an average of 11 percent of their total body weight. The drug also reduced the animals' body mass index (BMI), which is determined by the ratio of fat to other tissues. Interestingly, monkeys that were not obese did not lose weight. This means that the drug only effectively affects fat cells.
The researchers hope that the drug's proven effectiveness in animals means it will be relatively well tolerated by humans, although clinical trials could take several years.
In order for Adipotide to be available on the medical market, it must be approved by the FDA (US Food and Drug Administration) because the drug can cause side effects, including reversible kidney problems, and kidney problems may worsen with long-term or repeated use.
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