Molecular Metabolism: the protein kallistatin promotes weight loss

Researchers from the University of Tübingen Medical Clinic in Germany have found that increasing the expression of the protein kallistatin in subcutaneous white adipose tissue improves metabolism and helps weight loss. The findings are published in the journal Molecular Metabolism.

The researchers explained that after weight loss, the expression of the protein kallistatin in the white fat structure is increased in obese people. This protein has many beneficial properties. It is involved in counteracting inflammation and wound healing, as well as normalizing blood glucose metabolism, thereby reducing the risk of developing diabetes.

In the study, scientists injected kallistatin, previously taken from people who had lost weight, into laboratory mice. As a result of this intervention, the obese mice had increased liver sensitivity to insulin. The researchers explained that the consequence of this change was to achieve the beneficial metabolic effects of weight loss.

Clinical studies involving humans have previously shown that individuals who are more overweight and obese produce less kallistatin. According to German scientists, enhancing the expression of this protein in the body artificially could potentially be an effective method of weight loss and treatment of type 2 diabetes.

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