PV-1 Gene Can Reverse Metabolism

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Focusing on a gene called plasmalemma vesicle-associated protein (PV-1), scientists at the University of Southern Denmark made groundbreaking discoveries regarding the liver’s role in using sources of energy. Researchers discovered they could trick the liver by suppressing PLVAP in mice. Instead of switching to fat oxidation during fasting, the liver continued to burn carbs.

Normally, due to fasting or reduced calorie intake, the body’s starvation mode causes the liver to shift to burning fatty acids but the mice livers continued to burn sugar, while fat was redirected to muscles to maintain an elevated metabolic rate without any adverse or negative effects. The research suggests the potential to enhance the effectiveness of the latest prescription medications.

Revolutionary new weight loss medications have allowed many obese or overweight individuals with weight-related conditions to kickstart their weight loss journey, but many people needing to lose significant amounts of unintended weight gain tend to hit a plateau where weight loss slows. These new PV-1 genetic insights could pave the way for complimentary treatments to accompany the use therapeutic peptides for long-term weight control.

NOTE: The University of Southern Denmark’s PV-1 study on metabolism was initially published in the journal Cell Metabolism. The team of research scientists included Daniel Hansen, Jasmin Jensen, Christian Andersen, Peter Jakobsgaard, Jesper Havelund, Line Lauritsen, Samuel Mandacaru, Majken Siersbæk, Oliver Shackleton, Jonathan Brewer, Blagoy Blagoev, Nils Færgeman, and Kim Ravnskjær (all from SDU). Collaborators from Japan, the USA, and Finland. Danish scientists suggest that targeting the PLVAP gene could be key to overcoming common barriers by offering new hope for those with significant weight-loss goals.

How Cells Trigger Metabolic Changes

Found in hepatic stellate cells, PLVAP has always been associated with regulating how the liver processes fatty acids when food is scarce. However, when PV-1 is absent, the livers in test subjects failed to switch from burning sugar to burning fat and mistakenly acted as if their bodies were not fasting. This metabolic shift prompted fatty acids released into the bloodstream to bypass the liver entirely by seamlessly redirecting fat to skeletal muscles instead.

Further analysis highlights that the metabolic changes associated with fasting are triggered by hepatic stellate cells, not by the commonly studied hepatocytes. This points to a newly discovered role for stellate cells in controlling liver metabolism and communicating with other cell types, introducing an entirely new mechanism of cell-to-cell signaling. These findings could significantly impact the science of losing weight and potentially reshape treatments for metabolic diseases.

By exploring PLVAP’s role in energy consumption, scientists believe researchers can uncover new opportunities to regulate blood glucose, support more efficient weight loss, and address complications like “dreaded weight-loss plateaus” that are associated with weight management in people with metabolic disorders. This novel discovery definitely creates new avenues for developing therapies aimed at improving overall metabolic health and combating chronic conditions like obesity.

Kickstart Your Journey for Weight Control

For those combating obesity or weight-related health concerns, prescriptive weight loss medications not only promote satiety and suppress food cravings, but also improve metabolic processes to address the root cause of unintentional weight gain. By mimicking the body’s natural hormone responses, the latest medications reduce daily food intake without relying on highly restrictive diets. Paired with MRC’s stellar one-on-one coaching you’ll personalize an approach for long-term health improvements.

Since slowdowns or plateaus can make losing weight more difficult as the body adapts to calorie restrictions. After all, consuming too few calories can trigger a survival mechanisms that slows the metabolism in starvation mode and promotes fat oxidation rather than burning calories for energy. During periods of low food intake or fasting, the liver initially uses a stored form of glucose (glycogen) to maintain blood sugar levels. But, as reserves are depleted, the liver naturally shifts to using fat reserves and produces ketones as an alternative energy source.

For more than 35 years, Metabolic Research Center has recognized that weight loss is never a one-size-fits-all approach and offer personalized programs tailored to your body’s specific needs. MRC’ network of medical providers can prescribe incretin mimetics to target chronic weight gain. Visit us at the medical weight management clinic in Melbourne to see how our experienced team can help you. Submit an email or call today to learn more and don’t forget to schedule a free consultation as your first step toward healthy living.