Scientists have identified a gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP) receptor antagonist called (Pro3)GIP , which has been demonstrated in an animal model to be capable of promoting weight loss, improving insulin resistance and reversing diabetes. (Pro3)GIP blocks GIP, a peptide hormone secreted in response to food. Previous studies indicate that patients who are obese with diabetes often have elevated circulating GIP concentrations.

In a study published recently in the American Journal of Physiology Endocrinology and Metabolism (doi:10.1152/ajpendo.00460.2007), scientist have demonstrated how daily injections of (Pro3) GIP was able to reverse well established diet-induced obesity, resulting to weight loss, improvement of insulin resistance and amelioration of diabetes.

Highlights of the research findings include the following:

* Compared with the standard rodent diet (control), the mice that were fed the high-fat diet for the previous 160 days exhibited increased body weight, energy intake, and circulating glucose concentrations. The levels remained elevated throughout the study. The cholesterol and triglycerides levels increased at day 50.

* consumption of the high fat diet resulted in progressive weight gain and elevations of plasma glucose and gyrated hemoglobin, leading to impaired insulin sensitivity and glucose intolerance by 10 days. Fat (adipose) tissue deposits were increased as were circulating cholesterol and triglyceride concentration levels.

* (Pro3)GIP was able to counter many of the detrimental effects of high fat diet on body weight and indices of glucose and lipid metabolism.

Source: EurekAlert