How a magic pill might help you lose weight like surgery
The dual GLP-1/glucagon receptor agonist G49 mimics bariatric surgery effects by inducing metabolic rewiring and inter-organ crosstalk
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
This study found a new drug (G49) that tricks your body into thinking it had weight-loss surgery by making fat cells release energy, which then wakes up your body’s internal furnace (brown fat) to burn more calories.
Systematic Reviews & Meta-Analyses
Max 100Randomized Controlled Trials
Max 90Cohort Studies
Max 72Case-Control Studies
Max 58Cross-Sectional Studies
Max 44Case Reports & Case Series
Max 30Expert Opinion & Narrative Reviews
Max 566 / 90
Evidence Score
Participants are randomly assigned to treatment or control groups, minimizing bias. Considered the gold standard for testing whether an intervention causes an effect.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
This study found a new drug (G49) that tricks your body into thinking it had weight-loss surgery by making fat cells release energy, which then wakes up your body’s internal furnace (brown fat) to burn more calories.
Systematic Reviews & Meta-Analyses
Max 100Randomized Controlled Trials
Max 90Cohort Studies
Max 72Case-Control Studies
Max 58Cross-Sectional Studies
Max 44Case Reports & Case Series
Max 30Expert Opinion & Narrative Reviews
Max 566 / 90
Evidence Score
Participants are randomly assigned to treatment or control groups, minimizing bias. Considered the gold standard for testing whether an intervention causes an effect.
Publication
Authors
Valdecantos MP, Ruiz L, Folgueira C, Rada P, Gomez-Santos B, Solas M, Hitos AB, Field J, Francisco V, Escalona-Garrido C, Zagmutt S, Calderon-Dominguez M, Mera P, Garcia-Martinez I, Maymó-Masip E, Grajales D, Alen R, Mora A, Sáinz N, Vides-Urrestarazu I, Vilarrasa N, Arbones-Mainar JM, Zaragoza C, Moreno-Aliaga MJ, Aspichueta P, Fernández-Veledo S, Vendrell J, Serra D, Herrero L, Schreiber R, Zechner R, Sabio G, Hornigold D, Rondinone CM, Jermutus L, Grimsby J, Valverde ÁM
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Claims (10)
Turning on two specific body switches—one for glucagon and one for GLP-1—helps burn more energy without raising blood sugar, because one speeds up metabolism and the other keeps blood sugar in check.
In obese mice, a compound called G49 triggers a 3- to 4-fold rise in FGF21 hormone levels within 12 hours by activating fat breakdown in the liver via the glucagon receptor. This rise in FGF21 is required to fully activate brown fat and maintain long-term weight loss.
In obese mice, blocking the breakdown of fat in white fat tissue prevents G49 from triggering increased production of FGF21, ketone bodies, activation of brown fat, and weight loss.
In obese mice, a compound called G49 leads to a temporary buildup of fat in the liver within six hours, accompanied by increased activity of genes involved in fat production, triggered by hormonal signals from glucagon and insulin.
In obese mice, a compound called G49 reduces weight and improves metabolism only when both glucagon and GLP-1 receptors are active; blocking either receptor significantly reduces weight loss and stops the activation of brown fat and the increase in energy use.