A new drug developed by researchers at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio can prevent weight gain and liver damage in mice fed a high-sugar, high-fat Western diet. The drug, known as CPACC, inhibits magnesium transport into cells’ power plants, known as mitochondria, in order to boost metabolism and promote weight loss. When mice were given the drug for a short period of time, they became slim and healthy. The drug also reduced the risk of fatty liver disease, which is linked to obesity and type 2 diabetes.

The drug was discovered by studying how magnesium affects metabolism, which is the process by which cells produce and consume energy. Magnesium is the fourth most abundant element in the body and is essential for blood sugar regulation, blood pressure regulation, and bone formation.

However, too much magnesium slows mitochondrial energy production, prompting the researchers to develop CPACC to limit magnesium transport into cells.

Source: Neuro Science News (link) and Cell Reports (link)
Images: MidJourney, Prompts by Lewis Farrell

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