In obese mice, a single subcutaneous injection of the dual GLP-1/glucagon receptor agonist G49 at 100 nmol/kg induces rapid lipolysis in white adipose tissue within 6 hours, resulting in a approximately 2.5-fold increase in plasma free fatty acids, an effect that requires glucagon receptor activation and occurs prior to metabolic changes in the liver and brown adipose tissue.

A special drug binds to a receptor on fat cells, causing them to break down stored fat and release it into the blood. This flood of fat signals the liver to start burning fat for energy and produce ketones, which then tell the brown fat to generate heat. The fat release also attracts immune cells that help turn white fat into a more active form, and the drug simultaneously tells the pancreas to release insulin, which helps the body adjust to the new energy flow.