NZ Scientist's Gene Research Offers Hope Against Obesity Epidemic

A groundbreaking approach to tackling obesity through gene therapy has been developed by Professor Matthew During, a leading researcher from Auckland University and Ohio State University. After demonstrating the effectiveness of this technique in animal experiments, Professor During is now looking to initiate human clinical trials.

The therapy involves injecting genetic material into the hypothalamus, a part of the brain responsible for regulating body weight. This material, carried by a harmless virus, includes a segment of the human gene that promotes the production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein crucial for weight regulation. The treatment also incorporates genetic components that enable the auto-regulation of BDNF to manage weight loss effectively.

In one of the trials, obese mice experienced a 20% reduction in body weight within three weeks, with the weight loss stabilizing over the course of an 11-week experiment. The study highlighted that while both reduced food intake and increased energy expenditure contributed to weight loss, the latter played a more significant role.

Obesity is a significant health issue in the Western world, with 26.5% of adults in New Zealand classified as obese. The Ministry of Health is considering allocating $16 million annually for obesity surgery for those severely affected, as traditional treatments often fail to provide long-term solutions.

Professor During's research, published in the prestigious journal Nature Medicine, represents a significant step forward in the fight against obesity. With the potential to start human trials within 12 months, this gene therapy offers a promising new avenue for treating morbid obesity, a condition that has proven resistant to other forms of treatment.