Tackling Obesity

Scientists from the University of Kansas, United States have developed a new drug namely micelle sequestrant polymers (MSPs) that could prevent obesity in humans by stopping the body from absorbing fat particles. The MSP currently under development is thought to be safe since it passes through the body unabsorbed.

Presently anti-obesity drugs have serious implications on health which include cardiovascular disease and depression. MSP drug is different as it captures fat particles thus preventing the body from absorbing them. Moreover, these MSPs pass out from the body through the process of excretion. The study published in the journal Biomacromolecules states that the orally acting MSPs could respond to pH changes in the gastrointestinal tract and potentially sequester liquid micelles thus stopping lipid absorption through a pH triggered flocculation process.

The drug looks promising as mice who were administered MSP had nine to ten times the amount of triglycerides, the main dietary fat, in their faeces than the control animals.