Could a Protein Help the Body Resist Weight Gain?

As the obesity epidemic continues to be a prominent health issue in the United States, statistics show that more than one-third of the population is overweight, suffering from health issues involving high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, insulin resistance and belly fat.

Yet a recent study shows that a certain protein could help to fight weight gain and other health problems associated with these issues.

Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor-or GDNF for short-is a protein that's integral to helping the body's system stay in balance and helping it to develop and maintain the nerve cells responsible for a host of bodily function, including digestion and muscle control.

For the study, researchers particularly examined how an increased prescence of GDNF can affect obesity that's caused by a high fat diet.

They then compared mice that were bred to have higher levels of GDNF protein with control mice, according to a press release. All of the mice were either fed a regular rodent diet or a high-fat one.

Findings showed that the GDNF-mice fed the high-fat diet resisted diet-lipid (fat) levels in their blood, as well as insulin resistance. The GDNF mice also experienced an improved insulin sensitivity along with an increased calorie burn compared to those on the high-calorie diet.

Researchers conclude that further studies are needed in order to determine how GDNF works in the body and it's affect on brown and white fat cells.

More information regarding the findings can be seen via the article "Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor protects against high-fat diet-induced obesity" is published in the March 2014 issue of the American Journal of Physiology-Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology.