BMP-7

(Best Syndication News) Researchers studying a protein called BMP-7 (Bone Morphogenetic Protein 7) that promotes bone growth discovered that it can also promote the development of brown fat. There are two types of fat: brown and white. The brown fat is good and can help burn the white fat.

The scientists found brown fat bundled inside the muscle fibers of obese-resistant mice. “We hope this study can be translated into applications to help treat or prevent obesity,” said Yu-Hua Tseng, Ph.D. an Assistant Investigator in the Joslin Section on Obesity and Hormone Action.

BMP-7 Protein

The protein, BMP-7 brings about precursor cells that create brown fat cells. So far the researchers have only been testing the drug on mice. The recombinant human BMP-7 protein is already on the market as a drug (brand name OP1) sold by Stryker.

The drug is currently used to help in the fusion of vertebral bodies to prevent neurologic trauma. It is also used to treat tibial non-union, frequently in cases where a bone graft has failed. It is hoped to be used to treat chronic kidney disease and the current study points to a possible treatment of obesity too.

Why Do Adults Get Fat

One reason why adults get fat is because they lose their brown fat cells. According to Tseng, “Brown fat cells largely disappear by adulthood in humans, but their precursors still remain in the body.” Newborns and hibernating animals have the brown fat.

Brown Fat Compared to White Fat

Brown fat produces heat while white fat is used to store energy. Since brown fat needs more oxygen, it contains more capillaries. White fat contains a single lipid droplet while brown adipocytes contain numerous smaller droplets and a much higher number of mitochondria.

BMP-7 Produces Brown Fat

Their previous research in 2005 found that BMP-7 created the precursors to brown fat. The new research published in this issue of Nature shows that BMP-7 is capable of inducing the formation and function of brown fat cells. More importantly, the mice that developed the brown fat gained less weight than the mice in the control.

BMP-7 Treated With Stem Cells

The researchers use an adenovirus as a vector to increase the development of brown fat. They found that BMP-7 pretreated mice who received injections of progenitor cells – similar to stem cells – developed even more brown fat.

BMP-7 May Be Effective For People Predisposed To Obesity

Currently diet and exercise is still recommended for obese patients. “For people who are genetically predisposed to obesity, these approaches may have very little effect,” Tseng said. But in the future, this drug or similar ones could help predisposed patients lose weight.

“As we learn more about the controls of brown fat development, medical interventions to increase energy expenditure by brown fat inducing agents, such as BMP-7, may provide hope to these individuals in losing weight and preventing the metabolic disorders associated with obesity.”

By Jeffrey Workman
Best Syndication News Health Writer

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