Singaporean scientists have unveiled new weight-loss pills that work directly in the intestines without affecting appetite or brain chemistry.
A team of scientists from Nanyang Technological University has developed an innovative compound that directly targets the intestines to reduce the absorption of dietary fats, offering a completely new approach compared to injectable drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovi, which rely on suppressing appetite and altering blood sugar regulation.
The compound works by blocking specific receptors on intestinal cells responsible for transporting fats into the body, while simultaneously promoting the growth of beneficial gut bacteria that produce short-chain fatty acids, reducing inflammation and strengthening the intestinal barrier. In this way, patients can manage their weight without restricting their food intake or experiencing gastrointestinal issues such as diarrhea or constipation, which are common side effects of conventional medications.
Initial experiments were conducted on mice fed a high-fat diet, and researchers focused on three promising compounds: 12-TAASA, 12-SAASA, and 12-HDTZSA. The experiments showed that 12-TAASA was the most effective compound, helping mice gain significantly less weight than untreated mice, with lighter, less fatty, and less scarred livers, without any toxic side effects, while maintaining normal blood sugar levels.
The gut microbiome of mice treated with 12-TAASA also underwent a positive change; harmful bacteria associated with inflammation declined, while beneficial strains flourished, and levels of acetate, propionate, and butyrate increased, enhancing the body's response to insulin and reducing inflammation.
In the laboratory, researchers using fluorescent dyes showed that 12-TAASA prevents fat from entering intestinal cells while allowing sugar to pass through, confirming that it does not affect sugar metabolism.
Dr. Andrew Tan, an expert in metabolic disorders and co-creator of the drug, said: "Controlling fat absorption in the intestines may reduce the amount of fat that reaches the liver, especially for people who are unable to exercise or who eat high-fat meals."
The results of these studies indicate that the new compound may be an attractive alternative for people with obesity or metabolic fatty liver disease (MASLD), as it reduces the access of fat to the liver and limits inflammation and scarring, which may subsequently reduce the risks of liver failure, heart disease, strokes, and some types of cancer.
Despite these promising results, the experiments are still currently being conducted on mice, and human biology is very different from that of mice, making clinical trials on humans essential to assess the safety and effectiveness of the compound.
The Nanyang Technological University team is working with a biotechnology company to develop this technology, but it may take several years to reach pharmacies due to the lengthy approval and regulatory process.
