A drug that may allow people to eat as much as they like without gaining weight has been accidentally discovered by Yale University researchers. While the researchers wanted to create a morbidly obese mouse, the resulting one can eat as much as it wants without getting fat.
Two genes were edited during the experiment, as scientists believed that removing genes from the lymphatic tissue which prevented the absorption of fat particles named chylomicons would make the mice fat. The mice were feed high-fat food but remained surprisingly skinny as the excreted lipids.
It was discovered that the absence of the two genes lead to the sealing specific vessels in the lymphatic system. Lipids are absorbed by the lymphatic system in the in the gut by entries special vessels called lacteals. Most of the time, lipids enter those vessels in a controlled manner. In the case of mice which lacked the vascular endothelial development factor 1 and neuropilin 1. The lipids were discharged by the body. The effect can also be triggered in normal mice by blocking the Rho kinase ROCK.
If the research is proven feasible on a large scale, the next step will be the creation of a drug that is suitable for human beings in the long run. Countless advertisements can be found on the internet, promising that only by taking a pill, your weight will be under control and you are free to eat as much as you like with no risks of getting fat. As expected, most of them do not work, and some may even have harmful adverse effects. On the other hand, while a stomach reduction may allow you to eat that juicy burger daily, you will be limited to a few bites as you will no longer be able to eat as much as a normal person.
It remains to be seen what future results will be observed in the future.
