Researchers have discovered a groundbreaking weight loss drug, named SANA (salicylate-based nitroalkene), that causes fat cells to generate heat, effectively burning fat away. Initially developed to target inflammation, the drug’s remarkable anti-obesity properties emerged unexpectedly during experimental studies.
In animal testing, SANA successfully prevented weight gain in mice fed high-fat diets and induced significant weight loss in obese mice. Over three weeks, treated obese mice lost 20% of their body mass, alongside reductions in blood sugar, liver fat, and improved insulin sensitivity.
The phase one human clinical trial involved obese volunteers and demonstrated both weight loss and improved blood sugar control. However, the study was small, primarily assessing safety and tolerability. Lead researcher Carlos Escande of the Pasteur Institute in Montevideo, Uruguay, emphasized caution, stating that phase two trials—designed to evaluate efficacy—are planned for later this year.
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SANA is a derivative of salicylate, a compound traditionally known for its anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects, like those found in aspirin. Instead of reducing inflammation as intended, SANA activates thermogenesis specifically in adipose (fat) tissue. This causes fat cells to “heat up” and burn energy directly, a distinct mechanism from existing obesity drugs.
Unlike treatments such as Mounjaro, which alter appetite or impact the digestive and central nervous systems, SANA’s approach represents a new class of medication that increases caloric expenditure without suppressing hunger. Brazilian researchers collaborating on the project, including Marcelo Mori from UNICAMP’s Institute of Biology, noted the drug’s potential to complement appetite-suppressing medications. Combining such drugs could counteract metabolic slowdowns that often occur with reduced food intake, enhancing overall weight loss effectiveness.
Importantly, current data indicate that SANA only marginally raises body temperature and does not pose significant health risks. As research progresses, this innovative drug offers hope for a novel, effective approach to combating obesity and its related metabolic complications.