Brown adipocytes are adipocytes that strongly express UCP1 and can produce heat energy. If these cells can be increased in number and activated, they can accelerate basal metabolism and consume carbohydrates and lipids in the body, leading to the development of obesity and metabolic syndrome. It is thought that it can reduce the deterioration of the disease and the condition.

　In this study, we used adipocytes with luciferase incorporated into the Ucp1 gene exon region to screen compounds using a high-throughput method. After primary and secondary screening from 4800 compounds, we finally identified four compounds that enhance Ucp1 gene expression.

　When this compound was administered to obese/diabetic model mice, a significant decrease in body weight was observed, glucose tolerance was improved, and insulin sensitivity was increased. Furthermore, the content of fat in the liver was lower, and fatty liver was reduced. In addition, it was confirmed that the mice administered the compound had a high oxygen consumption rate, and their basal metabolism was accelerated.

　The newly identified compound has the effect of increasing heat production in fat cells, which increases the basal metabolism of the whole body and consumes carbohydrates and lipids in the body. Unlike existing anti-obesity drugs that tend to cause nausea, this drug not only has the potential to be a promising anti-obesity drug that makes it difficult to become obese even after eating a meal, but also to treat diabetes, dyslipidemia, and fatty liver associated with obesity and metabolic syndrome. It is also expected to be applied to the treatment of a variety of diseases.

Paper information:【Obesity】A newly identified compound activating UCP1 inhibits obesity and its related metabolic disorders