Mitochondria-Derived Peptide ‘SHLP2’ Shows Promise in Treating Obesity and Diabetes, Study Finds

2023-09-13 16:00:00

Article entered 2023-09-14 01:00:00
Article modified 2023-09-13 18:25:58

A study showed that peptides produced by mitochondria, a cellular organelle, are effective in treating metabolic diseases such as obesity and diabetes.

On the 13th, a research team led by Professor Kim Ki-woo and student Kim Seul-gi of the Department of Oral Biology at Yonsei University College of Dentistry announced that the mitochondria-derived peptide ‘SHLP2’ has anti-obesity and anti-diabetic effects by suppressing appetite and lowering blood sugar levels.

Photo = Getty Image Bank

The research team focused on mitochondria to develop treatments that reduce the side effects of currently commercially available metabolic disease treatments and increase their safety. Mitochondria, a cellular organelle, are responsible for energy production in our body and produce peptides involved in homeostasis regulation to maintain the body’s cellular state at a certain level.

The research team, which analyzed peptides produced by mitochondria, identified SHLP2, which shows an excellent function in controlling metabolic diseases, and injected SHLP2 into the abdomen of mice suffering from metabolic diseases. Then, blood sugar returned to normal levels and an anti-obesity effect appeared. In addition, the research team confirmed that the injected SHLP2 moved to the brain, and confirmed that insulin sensitivity increased, weight loss, and blood sugar levels decreased in mice injected directly into the brain with SHLP2. This effect was also seen in mice that consumed a high-fat diet that causes metabolic diseases.

Professor Ki-Woo Kim said, “The prevalence of metabolic diseases such as obesity and diabetes is increasing, but the treatments currently approved by the FDA have limitations in completely resolving the diseases.” He added, “The results of this study, which revealed the anti-obesity and anti-diabetic effects of SHLP2, are “We expect it to be helpful in developing treatments for diseases,” he said.

The results of this study were published in the latest issue of the international academic journal ‘Nature Communications’.

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