Rap 1 is not an Eminem song

Rap 1 is not, as it may sound, a song by Eminem.  It is however, the gene that is associated with metabolism, weight gain and overeating.  But, until now, scientists have not been able to find a direct link.

However, a team at Baylor and Texas Children's Hospital have managed to successfully suppress the Rap 1 gene in lab mice and stopped them overeating.

The scientists took 2 groups of mice.  In one group the deleted the Rap 1 gene in a group of neurons in the hypothalamus, a region of the brain that is involved in regulating metabolism.

The 2nd group had a functional Rap 1 gene (Control Group).

Then the investigators fed both groups a high-fat diet in which 60% of the calories came from fat.  The results in the control group were expected... the mice with their Rap 1 gene intact, gained weight.

However, the mice in the other group with the deleted Rap 1 gene, lost weight and had less body fat.

The investigators changed the diet and put all the mice on a normal diet and both groups showed similar weights and body fat levels.

The investigators then analyzed why the mice lacking the Rap 1 gene had not gained weight on the

high-fat diet.  They found that the mice were no more physically active than the Rap 1 intact mice, but they did eat less and burned more body fat.

These facts were associated with the hypothalamus producing more of a hormone that reduces appetite, called POMC, and less of two other hormones (NPY and AgRP) that stimulate appetite.  The mice lacking the Rap 1 gene also had lower levels of blood glucose and insulin than the mice in the control group.

The investigators went on to study if there was a change in Leptin in the mice lacking the Rap 1 gene.  Leptin is the satiety hormone that signals the brain to stop eating and is produced by fatty tissue which helps regulate body weight by inhibiting appetite.

However, it has been found that obese people do not respond to Leptin and continue to eat even though they had had enough, and blood levels of Leptin are higher in obese people than in people of normal weight.  This is called Leptin Resistance and is a common trait in human obesity.

The investigators discovered that the Rap 1 lacking mice on the high-fat diet did not develop Leptin Resistance, they were able to respond to Leptin and this was reflected in lower blood levels of this hormone.

The investigators also managed to inhibit the Rap 1 gene by using a drug with the inhibitor ESI-O5.
When administered to normal obese mice with the Rap 1 gene intact, their sensitivity to Leptin was restored to a level similar to that in normal mice (Rap 1 intact) on a normal diet.  The obese mice ate less and lost weight.

What does all this mean?

Well it basically means that researchers are that much closer to finding a magic pill to combat obesity.

Is this what the human race needs?

Possibly.

Right now, we are facing a huge obesity epidemic which is threatening our public health services.  Whereas there are many people who are able to diet and lose weight because they are convinced they
should for better health, there are many who for many different reasons are not able to do so by themselves.  Until now, these people are sometimes helped by having bariatric surgery, a magic "obesity" pill could be a great way to help those who need it without the cost and risks associated with invasive surgery.

Only time will tell.  Until then, eat healthy whole foods and you probably won't ever need this kind of help.

If you do have a problem, then this may, in the future, be a great help.

I can help you improve your health.  If you would like to make an appointment with me either in person or via Skype, just send me an email to lucycarr@socialnutrition.com